How to Maximize the Life of Your SSD

SSD aka Solid State Drive...all of the have limited number of writes before they wear out. However, all these can be prevented with proper planning and adjustments to your SSD. An average lifespan of a SSD is around 20 years, depending on how the user uses them.

Although SSD are faster by nature, but the storage space proves to be a potential problem as SSD datas are written in blocks. For example, a 40GB data is being stored in SSD, but eventually the total space used may come up to a whopping 52.1GB. This is because data written in blocks are hard to change. If your OS sees 1 bit being written, SSD will take it as 256kb being written. Hence, resulted in the unnecessary storage space being used.

To overcome this, make sure TRIM is enabled. TRIM will allow a SSD to consider blocks of data that are not in used to be wiped out internally. On the other hand, disabling unnecessary OS features also help save space in ur SSD. Features like paging, hibernation, SuperFetch and Defrag, and temporary files, cache and logs can all be disabled.

To further monitor your SSD, you should also keep an eye on your resources monitor to check. =)

Mozilla blocks Skype's Firefox add-on...

Every Skype's user nightmare on Mozilla add-on has came true, with Mozilla announcing the closing down on the Skype add-on which they accused of causing over 40,000 crashes being reported in a week. Furthermore, slower page loads has also been cited.

As this extension comes by default with the Skype, users who have installed Skype, also installs the Skype toolbar regardless of the user's awareness. Currently, Skype programmers are resolving this problem. Mozilla who are in contacts with them hopes to restore the extension privilege given that Skype is able to sort out this problem.

However, the block is said to be a "soft block" where users are allowed to have an option of re-enabling the extension. The extension is said to be the No. 1 and No. 2 cause of crash since Mozilla's stable release, reported via Mozilla's bug tracker.

Skype is said to be releasing an update over this matter in near future.

For full report, click here.

Facebook's low tech mobile site...another Facebook Lite??

Facebook, the world's most popular social networking site has finally come to realise that there are many users out there can't afford to access on-the-go. In order to overcome this, on Wednesday, marks another historic moment of Facebook as they announced a new mobile app optimized for lower end cell phones and a plan to make it available worldwide WITHOUT DATA FEES!!

How cool is that going to be...finally it's here. =)

They are providing a better feature, including a better user interface (better than 0.facebook.com??), contact synchronizing and a fast scrolling of photos and friends updates. It's proven to work on over 2500 cellphones from Nokia, LG and Sony Ericsson and are downloadable through Snaptu. This company has helped Facebook in it's efforts to expand by having agreement with countries like Brazil, Hong Kong and Canada. It is rumored that more agreements could be on its way, including a potentially extended no-fee plan for its usage.

But, could this all end up like the previous Facebook Lite?? We shall wait and see...

For more information, click here.

WinMP3Packer

I believe most of the people nowadays loves to listen to songs. Whether it's your favourite or not, it is undeniable that entertainment on-the-go is slowly taking over our life.

Imagine a situation where you try to stuffed every songs of yours into your mp3...and suddenly realise that the space isn't sufficient to accommodate all of them?? What to do now?? Here, I am introducing WinMP3Packer, a free program that convert mp3 files to Variable Bit Rate format. This type of files are smaller in size which allows you to accommodate more songs into your mp3 player. While the size of files is compressed, the quality of the song still remains the same.

So, why not consider this useful tool when your hard drive is running out of free space??

You can download it from here.

Logitech K750

The new keyboard from Logitech...K750

Nice and sleek, but the best thing of all, is that any form of light source is enough to power the Logitech K750 wireless keyboard. It uses 2.4 GHz connectivity, thus keeping the keyboard connected with virtually no lag or dropouts. Though it looks kind of weird on the top part due to its solar panel...but hey, that's at least what we can do for the Mother Nature. =)

On the other hand, as this keyboard is designed to be quiet...hence, you won't be hearing the all familiar clickety-clack sound from the conventional keyboard. When it goes low on battery, there are no need for worries as the solar panels will automatically recharge batteries so long as there is light. There's also widget available for download to check on the battery status.

However, there's a downside that comes along with the sleek design. This keyboard doesn't have palm rest as this will elevate your wrist higher than the keyboard, causing further discomfort.

Here 's a quick introduction on the product:

cloud computing...what's that??

Cloud computing is becoming more and more popular these days, but what does it means exactly of the term "cloud computing"??

The name cloud computing was inspired by the cloud symbol that's often used to represent the Internet in flow charts and diagrams. Cloud computing as defined, is location-independent computing or remote computing where you can access information from anywhere.

These services are broadly divided into three categories: Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). So, what sets cloud computing apart from the rest?? The answer is simple, cloud computing are sold based on demand...typically by the hour or some even by minutes. Hence, the user is able to have the service at any given time or quantity as the service is managed by provider. Therefore, only a computer and Internet access is needed.

4 ways to keep your computer hassle-free...

What comes to your mind when it says computer protection and maintenance??

Most people will have a say like having a good antivirus protection and anti-spyware which they assumed come's with a price. But, what's the use of these softwares if you have one of the most advanced and yet have underutilized it??

So, what are the 4 ways??

1. anti-virus (AV)

Having an antivirus definitely will keep your computer trouble free, the main issue is should we invest in a paid or free antivirus?? I personally recommend free AV like Avira Antivir or avast! and I would like to state here that some free AV are as good as the paid ones, although most people gets the perception of having a paid AV is better than the free ones. Of course, there are also some very good paid AVs around. Product such as Kaspersky and NOD32 also lived up to their reputation providing a very thorough protection overall.

2. anti-spyware

One need to know that virus and spyware are different thing. Spyware is a simple program written to steal personal information from the user's computer and these information are sent back to the host. Hence having one antivirus is not going to secure your computer from being spyware-free. And there are some very good anti-spyware out there. Products like Spybot S&D, Windows Defender helps prevent the presence of spyware.

3. registry cleaner

Most of us would do installing and uninstalling of programs often enough but only some did it thoroughly and includes deleting the unwanted registry values. Deleting unwanted registry values is beneficial as it helps speed up your computer. Registry cleaner are already installed with Windows, however there are also some external software such as CCleaner that can be installed for the same purposes.

4. defragmentation

To further improve the performance of your computer, it is highly recommended for you to defrag your hard disk drive. Defragmentation helps reduce the numbers of fragments and thereby quickens your system. Windows also provides Disk Defragmenter for this purposes, but the process usually takes a long time. On the other hand, Defraggler provides the same service but in a much shorter time.

Here's a video on

avast!:

Spybot S&D:

CCleaner:

Battle of the browsers....who will prevail??

There are many browsers out there and I am impressed how each of them differs,in terms of GUI or functionality. But, most people would stick with the giants...like Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google's Chrome.

Internet Explorer

According to w3schools, Firefox has taken over IE's place as the most competitive and popular web browser among all. This maybe due to the fact that Mozilla Firefox's market share are going uptrend despite the presence of a new browser, Google Chrome. Whereas in IE's case, their market share has dropped since September 2010.

Mozilla Firefox

One of the reasons that resulted in this drop maybe caused by the clutter free GUI provided by Chrome in comparison with IE's dull GUI. On the other hand, Firefox continues to bank on it's stability and reputation to climb up the ladder. Both Firefox and Chrome also provides add-ons and extensions respectively that allow users to work more easily and efficiently.

Google Chrome

However, there's another story about the ranking and it is shown on netmarketshare, that IE has 57.08% market share. Following IE, is Firefox and Chrome with 22.08% and 9.98% respectively.

But no matter what the ranking is, it's all up to us to choose what browser to use. So, choose a browser that you are comfortable with instead of following the popularity the browser obtained. =)

iPad or others....what's your choice??

Apple's iPad, had been around for quite a while...and still selling like hot cakes. Wonder what's all the craze and hype about...

<-Samsung Galaxy Tab

However, there is quite a number of substitutes around...filling the gap between a mobile phone and a notebook. For example, Samsung Galaxy Tab, HP Slate and so on...and some even comes with a better OS using Windows 7 and Android. In my opinion, these OS are way better off then the iOS as Win7 comes in user-friendly and Android has its advantage by being an open source.

On the other hand, there is also a killer from India where a tablet PC is priced at $35, although incomparable to the iPad...it gives the poor an opportunity to experience this new innovation and thus bridging the technological gap in the poor countries.

Here is a video of the top 10 tablets of 2010, enjoy:

For more information and video reviews, click here.

The rise of Android....

As we know, smartphones are getting more and more ordinary these days, and also more affordable. Hence, I would like to go through one of these popular OS in smartphones.

According to polls conducted in late 2010, Google's Android is fast gaining popularity among the smartphone's OS. One of the reasons to this gaining popularity maybe is that Android being open source, in contrast with other OS like iOS which controls everything through the iTunes market. Android also provide firmware updates over time, which enables user to upgrade without having to change phone everytime.


Another amazing thing about Android is that its OS versions are named alphabetically, from:

Android 1.5 (Cupcake)
Android 1.6 (Donut)
Android 2.1 (Eclair)
Android 2.2 (Froyo)
Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)

Android 3.0 is rumoured to be coming out soon, nicknamed Honeycomb. =)

openDNS...anyone??

Ever wonder why most of us hooked onto TM's server...which are overcrowded and slow??
We are keeping them alive in the competitive world today with our money and hardly getting any improvement in service...for an example, my Internet connection at home is so vulnerable that I've made 6-7 reports in a month. It's so annoying to keep calling and yet paying a price which doesn't meet the enjoyment. And after searching around, I've found a slightly better solution. =)



Here's a review by jupiterbroadcasting:


They are known to be one of the leading provider of free security, getting awards given by Business Week, Webware and PC World.


Go on and check them out here:
http://www.opendns.com/about/overview/

Afterall, there's nothing to lose and everything to gain.