Tag: internet

Slow computer or slow internet? Also, comedy: “STOPTIONAL”

I recently visited a business that I’ve helped with computer problems for nearly 10 years. They claimed to need faster computers because their accountants were trying to send QuickBooks data files to themselves through remote desktop tools and the speed was pretty terrible. When I got there and talked to them for a bit, I realized they were probably on a 10-year-old DSL internet package, so I ran a speed test.

1.5 Mbps down, 0.5 Mbps (512 Kbps) up. That’s nowhere near fast enough to upload QuickBooks data files fast enough! I told them to call CenturyLink and see about upgrading their package, possibly saving them thousands of dollars in computer upgrades and replacements.

Also at the start of this video is a fake Monster energy drink “sponsorship” skit. Don’t worry about the loud crash; the Monster can survived intact. 😉

Google Chrome OS: Why it will suck, and why I don’t want it

Ah, yes, the much-speculated Google Operating System. Rumors about a possible OS from Google have been floating about for years now, and it seems that Google has finally delivered the cornucopia of computing goodness to your door. Coming soon to a netbook near you: Google’s new operating system. The news is practically flooded with articles about why Google’s fancy new OS is so important and interesting.

I’m here to tell you why it sucks, and why it isn’t really that special at all.

Blocking access to MySpace without buying special software

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Usually, I have to advise people to purchase special software to block certain classes of content on the Internet, but here’s a quick tip to make your kids really, really angry by blocking a pesky social networking time-wasting annoyance of a website.  This trick works on Windows 2000 and XP and blocks all installed browsers; I’m not really sure about Vista.

  1. Go to [Start] and click on “Run…”
  2. Copy and paste in the following text (without the quotes):  “notepad %systemroot%\system32\drivers\etc\hosts”
  3. Add the lines below to the end of this file, save the file, and close Notepad.  Laugh at your kids, then lock them into a “Limited” account to keep them from undoing the changes.

— Copy the text below this line —

0.0.0.0 myspace.com
0.0.0.0 www.myspace.com
0.0.0.0 images.myspace.com
0.0.0.0 browseusers.myspace.com
0.0.0.0 search.myspace.com
0.0.0.0 forums.myspace.com
0.0.0.0 music.myspace.com
0.0.0.0 vids.myspace.com
0.0.0.0 classifieds.myspace.com
0.0.0.0 events.myspace.com
0.0.0.0 forums.myspace.com
0.0.0.0 blog.myspace.com
0.0.0.0 collect.myspace.com
0.0.0.0 ksolo.myspace.com
0.0.0.0 games.myspace.com
0.0.0.0 signup.myspace.com
0.0.0.0 latino.myspace.com
0.0.0.0 about.myspace.com
0.0.0.0 faq.myspace.com
0.0.0.0 signups.myspace.com

— Copy the text above this line —

To undo this, simply open the file again and delete these lines from the bottom, save, and close.