Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Duck Duck Go search engine

I found this while wading knee deep in an Ubuntu forum.

Duck Duck Go is a search engine designed to have the minimalistic look of google, but with so much less advertisement.

As the website itself states:

Use DuckDuckGo instead of Google and get:
• Zero-click info — useful info above the links.
• Privacy — we do not track you. Google does.
• Less spam & ads — 60,000,000+ useless sites gone.
• Official sites — labeled and on top.
• Targeted results — for ambiguous terms.
• Keyboard shortcuts — forget the mouse.
• Customization — change the fonts and more.
• No clutter — just results, not that other stuff.
• Search other sites — check out !bang syntax.
• Categories — explore related topics.
• Favicons — site icons next to results.
And actually get a response to your feedback!

Although Google does respond to feedback, It is a lot slower.

I think a lot of people will benefit from this.

Another reason I like this search engine, is if you type anything, and i mean anything, like for instance poop, on google, you will get an add that says buy poop now! or buy poop here!

Senseless ads, my one reason for not liking google as much as I used to.

If your interested in this search engine go here:
https://duckduckgo.com/

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Virtualbox

Virtualbox is a program that lets you run a virtual machine. It's free, and exceptionally useful.

Virtualbox allows you to install virtually everything from windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7 to Ubuntu and other linux distros, without changing your computer in any way.

You set up a file that represents a hd in the virtual machine, then choose a iso, or use a cd to install your OS.

If you have ever wondered what a linux dsitro looks like, how something functions or if you would like to run an os, like ubuntu but are stuck with windows, and don't like the idea of dual booting, this may be the best solution.

You can download it here:

http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

Monday, July 12, 2010

It's SIW good

"SIW is an advanced System Information for Windows tool that gathers detailed information about your system properties and settings and displays it in an extremely comprehensible manner."

Skipping the sales pitch, it's a free hardware diagnostic tool I always carry with me on pc repair jobs.

I use SIW mostly for finding out what hardware is inside without opening the case.

It's the best system information tool I have ever seen, and I have looked through most of them.

If you would like to add SIW to your arsenal, go here:

http://www.gtopala.com/