Q. How do I SUBSCRIBE to a BLOG? What is RSS? BONUS Computer Tool Suggestions

You can subscribe to a blog using RSS feed. If you aren't familiar with RSS feeds, then Google Reader is a great tool to start with. Subscribing to your favorite blogs and sites using Google Reader or Google Desktop keeps you posted on all of the latest at your favorite sites. You actually (or theoretically) save time, since all of the information is in one place in front of you.

My FAVORITE blog is LifeHacker.com closely followed by Consumerist.com. If you ever have to battle with Comcast, Verizon, or Dell – try the EECB (Executive E-mail Carpet Bomb) technique recommended at Consumerist.com – I had to use it with all 3 of those companies, and after hours wasted on hold and being transferred, I FINALLY had competent people CALLING ME to fix the problems; but I digress.

Somewhat off the subject of F-U-N-Training, but I believe it is a totally relevant topic since all of my clients use the internet to schedule sessions, etc.

Here are some computer tools I love (and I do not have any financial stake in any of them):

http://www.ccleaner.com/ -- a great tool to clean up your computer registry and unneeded files in order to SPEED it UP! FREE

http://www.defraggler.com/ -- Defragments your hard drive – MUCH FASTER than the MS Windows Defrag tool. FREE

http://www.mozilla.com – STOP using MS Explorer as your browser. Seriously, Mozilla Firefox is much more secure and a better product. FREE

http://www.roboform.com/ -- a safer way to keep all of those passwords and log – ins. FREE TRIAL

Given the security issues with Microsoft products, I prefer this to letting a browser "remember" my password.

http://www.clipmarks.com/ -- there may be better tools than this, but I LOVE that I can just CLIP and save a headline for future reference. Or, I can just clip and e-mail or print ONLY the part I want to send w/o all the extra garbage on the page.

*Norton 360 or MacAfee Security Center – You MUST have a COMPLETE and RELIABLE SECURITY software on your computer. BOTH OFFER FREE TRIALS, but then PLEASE be absolutely sure to PAY for your RENEWAL SUBSCRIPTION!!! I was just visiting in Florida, and I discovered my Aunt's computer was terribly slow, had no current anti-virus software, and was full of spyware. Norton now has a cool service, PC POWER BOOST, where a technician will log onto your computer remotely (with your permission) and make adjustments to your computer setup to make sure it is running as efficiently (fast) as possible. It's usually $69.99, but I received a special offer for just $29.99, which I think is a great bargain to have someone else get your computer in tip top shape. I HAVE NOT tried it yet, so be sure to check out all of the details for yourself. If the Special Offer link doesn't work for you, e-mail me, and I will just forward you the e-mail that they sent me.

 

Remember that children should NEVER be allowed to access the Internet unless they are CAREFULLY SUPERVISED. Internet Safety is a bigger issue than I have room or time for today, but be careful out there in cyberspace.