My Social Networking Tools

MySpace - The two incredible features of MySpace are multimedia uploading capabilities and the Privacy options. For example, there is music and games offered. The only downside would be it's more of a visually creative social site and could be more of a serious communicative place to network but then that also depends on each individuals style. MySpace makes it simple to find people with similar interests or hobbies.

Facebook - It is similar to MySpace in it's security and privacy offerings, however it has seperate networks that includes schools and businesses. Facebook was the site that had more of an emphasis on communicating with folks and less of the multimedia set up that exists at MySpace. So I assume there is more socializing at Facebook, but again the preference of the networker is what is important. Facebook greatly aided in finding friends and people who would more readily connect with the same interests.

hi5 - A social site that makes networking with people globally possible. People across the world share in the experience of hi5 which makes it one of the popular social sites worldwide. It has a fun and creative interface. The security offerings are simple and straightforward. Networkers can decide who sees their profile and number of other security options. It's obviously not as popular as the previous two social networking sites but hi5 has just as much to offer as far as multimedia uploads (pictures, music...) and communication through blogs & journals. They also have a chatroom for more communicative folks and they don't have advertisements on the site.



I had a MySpace account a long time ago but I never kept it up and I can't remember the name or password I used for it. hi5 appeals to me the most but I have more friends that participate on MySpace. So, I would chose MySpace for that reason. I like Facebook too and have friends that tell me I should sign up on the site.

My Email Platform

aim free service- a free email service from aol. I like this email the best because the protection from spam and viruses is great and for the simplest things I use email for it fits me well. Uploading video is easy and fun.

Hotmail free service- This service also fits the low maintenance email user too. Updates and system upgrades are communicated frequently through emails from the company. Using the attachment and printing is easy.

Yahoo free service- Yahoo is great for lesser serious content and their spam blocker could improve. Calendar and a notepad is offered for organization. Prioritize email option helps manage time and they have a cool chat capability that can be accessed from the email inbox. Syncing between media devices was accessible. Overall, Yahoo is good.


I mainly like my email accounts to be easy to search, to have protection from spam, viruses, to have attachment and printing options. I have many email accounts setup, I like hotmail and aim. I use hotmail the most, but I also felt it was necessary to have an account like aim because as an over the road truck driver being away from home most of the time I didn't want to lose my emails through inactivity.

My Internet Browser & Tools

I. FIREFOX 3.6 - unique features

A.)open source
B.)fair amount of security risks
C.) great add-ons/plugins
D.)24-25% market

II. INTERNET EXPLORER 8 - a few improved features

A.)company owned
B.)light on security risks
C.)all capabilities
D.)50% of the market

III. SAFARI 4 - improved features

A.)company owned
B.)security okay
C.)add-ons/plugins
D.)over 4% of market


INFORMATION
A.)open source or company owned
B.)security risks
C.)capibilities and tools /add ons or plugins
D.)"market shares" how many people use the browser

After my research I think I'll try Firefox. Safari 4 is interesting too. I'm already familiar with IE8, which I'm satisfied with but I just want to see what the other browsers have to offer.


TO BE CONTINUED...

My Media Applications

I use image, audio, and video apps all the time, for instance, I have Windows Media Player, also use Windows Media Center and Windows Image viewer. They are helpful for fun projects.

Image viewers: Faststone Image Viewer and Imagine

" editor: Adobe 4, Paint, and FotoMix


Audio player:Windows Media Center and Windows Media Player

" editor:Audacity- and WavePad Master's Edition $39.95-


Video player: CyberLink Power and Windows Media Player

" editor: Movavi and Quicktime Pro



Windows Media manager

My Productivity Suite

1.MS Office Home and Student ver14 $149.95
store.microsoft.com

2.Lotus Smartsuite $322.00
home and office user
www-0112.ibm.com/software/lotus/products/smartsuite

3.Open Office $29.00
www.openofficepackage.com

4.Corel Word Perfect standard edition $279.99
www.corel.com

5.Zoho Suite free of charge
writer.zoho.com



I want the most effective suite for an affordable price so I like MS Home and Student because I'm familiar with it and I also like Open Office Suite because it has the basic features that I typically use (word professor) and it's free. Zoho has some interesting applications that would be worth checking out.

Pop-Up Blockers and Web Filters

Pop-Up Blockers

I would need a Pop-Up Blocker if I didn't have one because it controls interference from advertisers and perhaps explicit material not suitable for young computer users.

1.(Kaspersky $59.99 and Internet Explorer pop-up blocker in my browser)
www.kaspersky.com
Kaspersky is my favorite in this category because I have it and it does a great job blocking pop-ups. It has excellent pop-up blocking protection but can interrupt me from time to time. Kaspersky has a high price so finding a good discount is important.
System requirements- MS Internet Explorer 6 or higher. Windows XP, Windows 7,and Windows Vista.

2.Adscleaner v.4.3 $34.95
www.adscleaner.com
Adscleaner with Internet explorer
Ad blocker, pop-up blocker, and an privacy online feature. It automatically upgrades ad blocker list.
http://www.pcmag.co.uk/downloads/1154138
System requirements- Windows: NT/2000/XP

3.AVG - free of charge
free.avg.com
Terrific url blocker
One flaw is that doesn't have parental controls.
System requirements- Windows 2000 to Windows 7 x64 edition.


I would choose Kaspersky, Adscleaner, or AVG. I like the way Kaspersky blocks pop-ups with Internet Explorer. I like AVG too, because of its features and I don't share my computer with children so parental control is not a big problem for me. I like Adscleaner the best because of all the extra features that are added to the pop-up stopper.

Web Filters

I believe I would need a web filter for the disruptive content that try to show itself on my computer. I am happy to have excellent Pop-up Blockers and web filters installed on my computers, so I don't have nuisances that may come with being unprotected.

1.Safe Eyes $49.95
Content, parental, and time controls make this product a standout. Also has filtering game options. Instant alerts and it syncs with Safe Eyes Mobile. Available for PC and Mac/ A bit pricey though.
System requirements- Windows XP/2000/NT/XE/98/Mac

2.Content Protect $39.99
Great, affordable internet filtering, but it's not advanced in it's monitoring abilities. Immediate web site unblocking available which is hard to find on the market today. Can access your information from any computer.
System requirements- Windows Operating Systems

3.K9 Web Protection- free of charge
This filtering software is excellent for families. Filters out potentially dangerous email. Easy to download and it's free.
System requirements- Windows Operating Systems 2000/XP/Vista

I like them all, I wish I could take the best features from each program. (www.internetsafety.com and www.wellresearchedreviews.com were very helpful and informative websites.)

My Spyware

Spyware

1.Trend Micro AntiVirus + AntiSpyware $39.95
Spectacular defense against spyware, rootkits, and other malicious threats. Real-time scanning options to keep your computer protected all the time.
System requirements- Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.

2.Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite $34.95
A great option for spyware removal.
System requirements- Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows XP.

3.Norton 2010 $39.99
Identifies and removes spyware and adware.
System requirements- MS Internet 6 or above. Windows XP, Windows 7, and Vista.

4.ESET Nod32 Antivirus 4 $39.99
Protects your computer from spyware and all malware threats.
System requirements- Windows XP, 7, Vista, and 2000 Intel and AMD

5.AVG*
Blocks and removes spyware.
System requirements- MS Windows 2000 to Windows 7 x64 edition.

6.Paretologic* XoftSpySE Anti-spyware
It removes a variety of spyware and adware.
System requirements- Windows 2000 Oper, Vista, Vista Oper., and XP.


*AVG and Paretologic are free.

I like the Trend Micro, Norton and ESET for their total features. I also like AVG because it's free. ESET for my Desktop. I would choose ESET to see the features that have been highly touted. I like AVG for my laptop.