Free Sudoku!

I was searching around the web and found a site that offers billions of Sudoku puzzles available for free online. I hadn't fallen victim to the Sudoku craze, but I worked my very first Sudoku puzzle - it took a while to finish it, but it's pretty cool. I can see why so many have been consumed by these puzzles - it's very addictive...

Each Sudoku has a unique solution that can be reached logically without guessing. Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square.

VoIP Forum

VoIP is Voice over Internet Protocol, or a phone that's connected through your Internet Service Provider (like your cable provider). Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is a technology that allows you to make telephone calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. One of the most popular providers of VoIP is Vonage and I've found a website that provides information, faqs, news, and forums all related to the Vonage VoIP Service. The VoIP variety of phone service is usually much cheaper than traditional landline service and has better packages and plans for local, long distance and international calling...

YouTube Video Plugin for WordPress

I was going nuts trying to get a video to embed over at the easy chair (my WordPress blog) last night. Each time I would paste the embed video code into my post, the beginning and end tags would shift instead of being around the code for the embedded video. I've found this plugin called Viper's Video Quicktags and am going to try it out to see if it helps...here's the skinny:

Tired of copying and pasting the embed HTML from sites like YouTube into posts on your site? Well then this plugin is for you.

Just simply click one of the new buttons that this plugin adds to the write screen (rich editor included) and then paste the URL that the video is located at into the prompt box -- easy as that. You can fully configure how the videos are displayed (width, height, alignment on the page) and much more. Best of all, it won't break your page's (X)HTML validation.

Currently supports these video sites:

* YouTube
* Google Video
* IFILM
* Metacafe
* MySpace
* Vimeo

SecureZip

I have many files on my PC which I often transfer from one PC to another - from work to home PC's and back again. I sometimes use a jump drive to transfer files, but often I like the convenience of using Microsoft Outlook to email files that I use on multiple PC's as well. Many people just assume that the process of transferring files from one place to another is safe merely because of the security of our networks, but everyday there are hackers trying to figure out how to get your information. All it would take to steal someone's identity or empty a bank account would be to decrypt a single file like a tax return or bank statement, but with an app like SecureZIP, you can transfer files through MS Outlook with confidence and security.

SecureZIP - The next generation of ZIP sets the standard for desktop data security. It is the best solution for protecting email messages and attachments, as well as data stored on hard-drives, laptops, and portable media. SecureZIP is a true security application, providing file level security that is as strong as any security application in the world, while it continues to leverage all of the benefits that come with compression.

Right now, the full version (not a trial) of SecureZIP is available for download here.

DoFollow Plugin for WordPress

I have a couple of new WordPress blogs that I've been working on - one's called the easy chair and it's got quite a bit of content. The other is a brand new blog called Great Day for Fishing which I'm still in the early stages of developing the theme and getting the kinks worked out. One thing I found was a plugin for WordPress called the Dofollow plugin which gets rid of the rel=nofollow attribute from your comments.

Perspective — Upon learning that search engine firms and blogwares endorsed the rel=nofollow attribute, I had some doubts the stratagem would ultimately lead to less comment spam. And from the looks of this interview with a link spammer, I'd even suggest you should get ready for more spam, not less.

Check out the Semiologic plugin

Stolen Laptop

Boy that would really make me steamed if someone stole my laptop, but it's occurring more and more since people are using them more publicly in coffee houses and airports with wifi hotspots. I was configuring a system (**dreaming**) at Dell's site and noticed that they have an option to add-on LoJack which is security software that runs in the background.

Computrace® LoJack® for Laptops is a theft protection service that tracks, locates and recovers stolen laptop and desktop computers.

Software installed on your computer works behind the scenes to silently and securely contact our Monitoring Center, and if stolen, reports its location using any Internet connection.

Our Recovery Team then tracks your computer’s location and partners with local law enforcement to get your computer back. If your stolen computer is not recovered in 30 days, you’ll receive a full refund for the purchase price of the software.

Cool, huh? Their website states that they recover 3 out of 4 stolen laptops. I know I was impressed and you can get a year for about $50 bucks which is cheaper than most of those extended warranties. The software can also be installed on desktops and tablet PC's.

Photoshop

Okay, I've installed Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Elements photo/video editing software on my computer, now what? I'm looking for some good tutorial websites to help me on my quest of mastering, or in my case, getting started with the software. Who's got some good links? Please leave me a comment about where to go for some info...

BestBuy and Coupon Chief

I am a BestBuy-aholic! My friends and my husband hate it when were shopping and I want to "run in BestBuy for a minute" because they know that I'll be in there for much longer than a minute. The closest store to me is located in Southern Pines, NC, but it's not as big as some of the other ones like Fayetteville, NC or some of the larger cities. I love to check out the new stuff and hot deals offered online. I've been looking for a deal on a laptop recently and BestBuy sometimes mails out coupons, but you can also find coupons, deals and special offers online at couponchief.com. They offer online coupons for BestBuy and many other merchants, too. If you're planning on spending your tax refund online, check out couponchief.com first to make your hard-earned dollar go farther.

USB Turntable

I stumbled upon this at ThinkGeek.com - it's a USB Turntable that allows you to convert your vinyl over to electronic media so you can preserve all those now defunct LP's you just couldn't get rid of. If you're like me, you probably have some out of print albums that you'd like to be able to put on your iPod or mp3 player - now you can with this cool tool. It retails for $149 at ThinkGeek and would make a great gift for someone who was around when albums were and now is entering into the digital age...

jv16 PowerTools from Macecraft

I'm a clean freak - especially when it comes to my computer - I want to make sure that it's optimized and secure. Our family PC could sure use some maintenance in the form of software like jv16 PowerTools from Macecraft Software. It's a Windows Optimization Suite complete with a registry cleaner, registry manager, and software uninstaller. The software is $29.95, but there's also a free demo download available as well. I might just put this to the ultimate test - my 18 year old son's pc - I'll let you know how it fares. If you've used this product, please let me know your thoughts.

Speedtest.net

If you want to know how fast your Internet connection is, then visit Speedtest.net and test your connection. You can see how fast your download and upload speeds are and compare the data with your ISP's stats. Mine looks a little low for the $42 bucks per month I'm paying considering other subscribers on the same ISP seem to be getting better service. Hmmm.

Amazon Unbox on TiVo

Today, I stumbled upon a new service for TiVo users that allows you to download video from Amazon to your TiVo box. It's called Amazon Unbox on TiVo and using a Series 2 or 3 TiVo box with broadband service, you can have your videos download while your at work so they'll be waiting for you when you get home. Not only can you download the latest movies, but you can also download episodes of your favorite TV shows as well. If you sign up by April 30th, you get a $15 credit in your Amazon Unbox account.

21 Must-Have Firefox Add-Ons

I read a great little post today about 21 Firefox Add-ons that gives you a short description of what each add-on does and links to get each of the add-ons. I'm very interested in web design and how different colors marry up with each other to create a striking web page, so the ColorZilla looks right up my alley. The Google Notebook should help me keep track of interesting tidbits I find while surfing that I'll want to remember to share with readers later. There's plenty more - 19 to be exact, so go check them out for yourself.

Make Firefox Quicker...

But don't go overboard! Make sure you read this entire post and comments/updates about this tweak that will make pages load faster in Firefox, but be careful with it or you could shoot yourself in the foot!

CSS Cheat Sheet

You may already know that I'm working on a new blog on my on website at thedawnster.com. I'm learning new things every day and I finally have a theme installed that I can live with for now. I want to change some things about it, but I'm new to WordPress, CSS and web design and need to learn a lot more about CSS first. I found a CSS Cheat Sheet that should help me get started, so I thought I'd share...

Start Stumbling!

I installed Stumble Upon in my browser to see what interesting things I could find out there on the 'net and I like this little tool. It has a thumbs up or thumbs down ratings system sort of like my TiVo and you can send sites you find to your friends via email. You select categories to stumble into from a list provided at signup and just start clicking the Stumble Upon toolbar to find things related to your interests. I've already bookmarked several sites I found today and this tool will help me find interesting things to share with my readers.

Video Conferencing Benefits

In today's global market, one of the most important and critical assests a company can have is good communication. Communication with customers, consumers, and vendors is key to the businesses ability to meet schedules, demands and deadlines and is a vital part of customer satisfaction. Phone conversations sometimes suffice, but the evolution of video conferencing allows businesses to be able to educate, demonstrate, illustrate and communicate at the same time.This allows businesses to build a good reputation by competing in a global marketplace and being able to deliver quality products on time which can ultimately lead to increased market share, sales and opportunities.

Amy's Wireless, Now!

Yesterday, Amy got her shiny, new hp laptop - very nice and she got a great deal on it direct from hp with 12 months, no interest financing. Last night, Amy picked me up and we went to Wally World to pickup her wireless router. Her daughter has an hp desktop computer which she uses mainly for college and surfing the 'net and email, and Amy's laptop will be used mainly for 'net and email apps. She went with the Linksys Wireless Broadband Router which was only $59 and I set it up for her. The setup was pretty quick and painless and the router came with easy, on-screen instructions to follow. I set it up so it's connected to the desktop and Amy connects wirelessly. I have to say that I was relieved that the setup went so smoothly (patting myself on back)...

Best RockStartup Ever!

I can relate to the RockStartup Episode 11: Can't Hardly Weight the best since I've been on a weight-loss program since August 2006. I'm what I consider a perpetual dieter since I seem to have a fat gene in my family and the office-wide weight loss, diet, and exercise program is a cool idea. We actually have a gym where I work, but I don't use it very much because I'd rather walk outdoors than on a treadmill. I have a treadmill in my garage that has dust on it - thank God I only paid $25 bucks for it at a yard sale. Anyway, RockStartup is a very cool reality tv web program that gives you a little insight to the minds behind the PayPerPost concept and allows us posties to feel more connected to the people we are working for to get the word out. I love to see what goes on behind the scenes at the company - who does what and who comes up with all these crazy, great ideas and concepts. It's like a marketing course on crack! The confessionals are great; we get to find out what's going on with everyone and how they really feel about things, who's cheating on their diet; I guess V's confession in this particular episode lets me know that the struggles I've faced in my plan are the same struggles that a lot of people face in the weight-loss battle. It does help to have a buddy system for diet and exercise and with the entire office "involved" in the plan, it sparks a bit of competition - I think these guys and gals are full of competition, so this should be interesting! I love the show and can't wait to see if the Heidi Klum diet and Thermabubbles work for Britt and Veronique. Gimme more, gimme more, gimme more...

Check out the webisode I liked best, here...

Online BillPay, Credit Cards & Late Fees - LOOKOUT!

If you have a credit card and use BillPay or mail your payment, you need to read this, NOW! It may be that I'm just paranoid, but I could definitely see this happening...