I have the code displayed in the sidebar to the right.  Stop by, check your site PageRank and grab the code to add to your Website or Blog.

http://www.theteachingbox.com/pagerank/

I agree with the author in this video.  He says that it is best NOT to use Internet Explorer, although it is already installed it is the slowest of all browsers.  He recommends Firefox, Google Chrome and Opera.  I personally have not used Opera, I have tested Google Chrome, and found it pretty good.  I use Firefox almost exclusively.  This is mainly due to the extensive variety of Plugins that are available. 

I would recommend that you try them all and see what you like.  They are all web browsers, but they do have subtle feature differences.  The bottom line is that to have the Fastest computer Do NOT use Internet Explorer. 

The second half of this video talks about cleaning up your Internet Browsing.  Cleaning up your browser history is a good practice from a speed perspective as well as a security one.  The author of the video talks about Internet Cleaner.  It it a good program, although it is Not free.  This program consolidates the cleaning of your internet browsers across all the browser platforms.  If you are not willing to pay for such a program of course all of the browsers have internal utilities to clean up.  A little searching around the internet and you can discover how to perform this task manually. 

So here is the video, only one more left to go in the series!

Speeding it up: Internet Browsers and Internet Cleaners

The type of Internet Browser you use can make a huge difference in how fast your computer can respond to the Internet.  We’ll explore how using other types of browsers will allow you to have a faster surfing experience, and yet a more secure one.  Did you know that everytime you visit the internet, your computer saves all those pictures and data to your computer?  Eventually your computer becomes this huge wasteland of files you don’t need.  Learn how to remove those unwanted files.

 Here are the Six Video Topics with links to the ones we have covered thus far:

1. Introduction
2. Spyware, Malware, Trojan Horses
3. Antivirus and Firewalls
4. Speeding it up:  How to speed Vista up
5. Speeding it up: Internet Browsers and Internet Cleaners
6. Speeding up:  Start Up Programs, Defragging, Buy More RAM

Enjoy the Video!

-Loren

I have been playing with a new script made by Online Zip – http://www.onlinezip.net/

It is set up as a link off my website PageRankToday

Specifically – http://www.pageranktoday.com/onlinezip/

It is a free script and quite easy to set up.  You can configure many of the settings.  Right now my implementation has a file size limit of 350KB which is kind of small.  I am playing with the settings to see how that can be increased.  I realize that .php server settings control file size, but I think that it is a larger number.  For now, give it a try and see what you think.  

Here is a screen shot of the interface.  Very basic and user friendly.  It even has a captcha feature to prevent spammers from using it.

This script is something you can set up on your server as an extra feature for your visitors, or even for yourself.

Let me know what you think!

-Loren

I am guest blogging over at Arrica Lee’s blog RandomToxic.  The topic is PageRankToday.com.  I give a short post on the features and fun aspects of learning about your Google Page Rank (and other things).  Stop over and give her website a look.  RandomToxic is an eclectic collection of fun posts.

I provide some more "geeky" content about Computer and Technology to this fun site.

See you over at RandomToxic!

-Loren

Sometimes it may be a regular version vs. a “Pro” version, but the software is in no way crippled and is full featured.  Many times you must register or notify the author that you have the program in order to get a Key to install or run.  I am OK with this.

There is only one small catch…the offerings are only for 24 hours.  The software with a download link is displayed and active for only one day.  So if you don’t get the program within the allotted time, too bad.  This is their way of driving traffic, so that you look at their site EVERY day.

Going there every day is not a bad thing.  The site is set up quite well and is user friendly.  They do have an RSS Feed, so I just subscribe using it.  They also have a mail subscription notification option as well (not my favorite).

They have a small banner you can add to your site to help them advertise as well.

Overall Giveaway of the Day is a great site.  Keep an eye on it for a while, and you will find some very good offerings.

- Loren
http://www.theteachingbox.com

I did a guest blog post over at Mochaquest.com.

It even looks like I am now an “official contributor“.

I met up with the Mochaquest team through the Networked Blogs on Facebook.  Mochaquest is a Malaysian blog with eclectic content.  They don’t have a lot of “computer geek” content, so maybe I can help them out.

Stop by and give it a look.

-Loren

Education and Collaboration – Why I Use Google Docs

Google is THE place to go for searches.  Is there another search engine?  I am just kidding of course.  My first exposure to Google was way back in the early days of gmail.  Even if you are not interested in a gmail account, you need to get a Google account just to experience all of the wonderful applications that Google offers.

My favorite application of late is Google Docs.  It is simply an amazing suite of programs. (http://docs.google.com/).  This short article will outline some of the great features available (the ones I like) and I hope to interest you into further exploration of this versatile web based application.

A note of caution on “Free Things” on the internet.  As one blogger said, “Google giveth, and Google taketh away.”  I did get burned on Google Notebook.  Just as I was really getting into it, they announced it’s demise.  I am thinking that Google will keep Docs around for quite a while.

What is it?

Google Docs is advertised as a Microsoft Word Replacement.  I have to admit that I really haven’t used the Presentation or Spreadsheet applications.  I don’t do many presentations or spreadsheets, but I do write a lot of documents, as well as cut and paste quite a bit from the web.  I have recently noticed that they have added “writely” which is a drawing program.  Obviously Google is marketing this as a Microsoft Office Killer App.

Features I like –

1.  Availability – I like the availability of Google docs.  When it first came out many of the critics didn’t like to use it extensively because you had to be ON LINE in order to use it.  For me that wasn’t a show stopper because I am almost always online anyways whether at home or on the go.  This need was met with the addition of Offline Access through Google Gears.  Problem solved.

2.  PDF conversion – I like to use Adobe .pdf files for documents that I send out or make available on my website.  For a long time I relied on various internet sites to convert my documents to .pdf format for free.  They worked great, but normally you have to upload the document to their server, they convert it, and e-mail you a link to download.  Now I can just download the file as a pdf.

3. Sharing and Collaborating – As an education professional I love the ability to share my documents with others easily.  This works well in the classroom whether it is traditional or virtual.

Please leave me some comments as to your favorite features, and why you like or don’t like Google Documents.

I could go on and on discussing the myriad of features offered by this online application.  This short article tells you what I like about this offering from Google.  Yes it is free, and yes maybe Google is about to take over the world, but while they are doing it I will be using Google Docs.

- Loren
http://www.theteachingbox.com

TheTeachingBox is dedicated to exploring technology in teaching, so I was very excited when Dan Hite from from TedCo Software (http://www.TedCoSoftware.com) kindly asked me to review his educational application called SpellQuizzer (http://www.SpellQuizzer.com).

SpellQuizzer is an educational software program that helps students learn and practice their spelling.  I have spent quite a bit of time evaluating SpellQuizzer and I am very impressed.  I will first proceed with a review of the application and then conclude with some thoughts on the website and support functions.

This review will be broken down into a few categories, so let us proceed.
I reviewed SpellQuizzer version 1.2.0 on Windows XP.  A version is available that even runs on Windows 98 (how about that for backwards compatibility!).

Installation -

The download was a very reasonable 8MB.  This would be considered acceptable even for those not on broadband Internet.  The installer was a standard windows install program and ran flawlessly.  Following installation the program fired up quickly, and the Help automatically opened (nice feature).

User Interface -

I actually have performed software testing at a previous company, so I am pretty hard on user interface design and usability.  The interface is very simple with large buttons and good graphics.  The buttons do become larger if the window is re-sized which would be good for young students.  Overall this simple interface is very easy to navigate for young computer users as well as adults.  The pull-down menus are simple and only provide what is needed.  Before digging into the application features I took a quick look at the Options Menu.  The password protection could prove to be a useful feature.  All of the other options tabs were self explanatory.  As with the main user interface, there are no unnecessary complicated features.

Program Features -

Help/Documentation - I am not a person to read all the documentation for software (who is?).  I spent only about 3 minutes skimming through SpellQuizzer Help.  The documentation is a standard windows based help system.  I found it to be logically organized, and if you need access, it is only a button click away from within the main interface.

Quiz me on a list – I jumped right in and selected one of the pre-installed spelling lists to get a feel for the program.  I found the interface to be simple and very effective.  The word is spoken, and then used in a sentence.  The student then types the word into a box.  The font is nice and large making for good visibility.

Create a spelling list - The next step was to create my own custom spelling list.  In my opinion this is the best part of the whole application. After naming my new custom list I was taken to an interface where I could either choose a word from an existing database of words, or add a new word.  The microphone was already set up on my computer, but there was a button handy that let me verify that everything was working properly.  I typed in my new word, and pressed the start button to record.  I used the same format of saying the word and then using it in a sentence.  After I was finished I pressed the stop button.  I could immediately Play Back my recording to insure it was of good quality.  The interface for creating your own spelling list is easy to operate.  I would say easy enough even to allow the student to create his or her own custom spelling lists.  The recording ability of SpellQuizzer makes the custom spelling lists personal and engaging.

Edit spelling lists – This feature allowed me to edit any of the spelling lists that exist in the application (including the preloaded ones).  The same interface as the Create a spelling list is provided.

Import/Export spelling lists – The ability to import and export the spelling lists is a versatile and simple to use feature.  SpellQuizzer has pre-made lists available on the website.  Also these features would allow someone to share their SpellQuizzer spelling lists with others.  I would be willing to bet that if you had some good quality lists you could get them put up on the SpellQuizzer website to share with others.

Website/Support -

The SpellQuizzer website (http://www.SpellQuizzer.com) is a well designed site.  Just like the SpellQuizzer software the website is simple yet elegant.  This is a great looking site that is easy to navigate.  It also contains professionally made video demonstrations that show how to perform some of the basic functions of the program, such as creating a spelling list and importing a spelling list.  SpellQuizzer is an easy to use application, but the addition of thes videos makes it even better.

Overall Evaluation -
SpellQuizzer is an outstanding program.  It sports minimalist design with great functionality.  A perfect example of keeping software simple.  The website provides first rate support.  If you have a student that has weekly spelling tests SpellQuizzer is a must have program to add to your family computer.  The price is reasonable (100% Satisfaction Guarantee), and you can try it free for 30 days.

In these days of bloated software SpellQuizzer is beauty in simplicity.  This application flawlessly executes it’s mission and is a joy to use.  Please vist the SpellQuizzer website or contact them if you would like more information.

Being an Education Professional these days is complicated.  The advent of the internet and computer technology has forever changed the way that I view education.

We are surrounded by information.  No longer is the library the only place to research for information.  So many sources, so many programs where do we start?

I believe that we must become USERS of technology, not necessarily EXPERTS.  There are too many applications out there for us to become experts.  The time it takes to become an expert on a single program could be better utilized learning three or four programs deep enough to get the job done.  The education professionals of the future cannot affort to be technologically challenged.  We must be able to discover new programs, delve in and use them effectively in a short period of time.

I have a number of applications that I use.  I would classify all of them as easy to learn.  If you are willing to set aside an afternoon you will become competent enough to begin using the program.  Then as you continue to use utilize the application it will get easier, and before you know it you may be an EXPERT and can teach others.  In the current economic climate you will find that the best part of these apps is that they are FREE.

Here are some Programs that I use in the context of Education:

Camstudio – http://camstudio.org/
I enjoy doing video tutorials, and camstudio is a good way to get started. It allows you to capture the action on your screen (along with sounds). Camstudio is a free and pretty intuitive program.

YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/user/theteachingbox
If you make videos you need a place to put them. Go to YouTube and create your own Channel. This way you can easily share your creations with everyone.

Gadwin Print Screen – http://www.gadwin.com/
I sometimes need to capture areas of my screen, Gadwin Print Screen is a free app that lets you do it easily.

Try them out and let me know what you think.  Share your favorite applications.

-Loren
http://www.theteachingbox.com