Tools: Change Windows Live Writer Save Location (and sync it with Dropbox)

also: using mklink, symbolic links for Windows and OS X

I seem to be doing this a lot of times now: manually changing Windows Live Writer save location so it points to my Dropbox folder. I’m a huge fan of this two programs/services. I don’t know about the future of Live Writer but i’d probably be using it still for a long time. And, to those who have been using it for sometime now, would know that one of its biggest limitation is that it doesn’t allow you to change the location where it saves your local drafts/posts.

You can always go the slightly hard way (see link for the how to, in the next section). Set the links manually to Dropbox. i guess it’s the normal way, which isn’t really difficult, only a hassle.

So, to save myself of the same hassle every time – i’ve created a simple tool to automate it. I’m posting this app for anyone who might need it as well.

 

Here it is.
https://sites.google.com/site/mickeymicks/DropTo.Dropbox.zip?attredirects=0&d=1

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TIPS: 5 Easy Steps on how to organize your data on a Windows 7 PC

tags: Windows 7 tips, separate data and system files, organize libraries, save documents on another drive, preparation for SSD, Windows 7 Libraries

 

This is my attempt at telling people to STOP putting everything on their drive C. Of course, every one has their own way of organizing things – this is my way. Lol.
And, this is just one of the many ways to help you organize your Windows 7 PC.

It’s really good to separate your personal data files (documents, pictures, movies) from your system files (Windows OS files), especially these days when those files could easily grow to unmanageable amount.

In my case, i’ve always separated my system drive (where Windows resides, normally drive C) and my data drive/s (where all my personal files are saved). It’s a habit that i’ve developed since the early days of Windows 98SE. Can anyone still remember that OS?

It used to be quite a task to do that, but with Windows 7 (don’t know about Windows 8 though) – it’s just a breeze.

Why do it?

Here are some of the reasons i can think of right now: 

1. If you want to secure (a bit more) your personal files in-case your OS becomes troubled (i.e. virus, crash, corruption)

2. If you have a larger storage (a second drive, a second partition or even an external drive).

3. If you want to backup just your system files (or just your personal files)

4. If (like me) your planning to move your system to an SSD. woot woot.

5. If you want to make a better organization of your data (easier to find, manage and even share your files).

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iPhone: Perk up your photos with 100 Cameras In 1

These days i’ve got really nothing else to do but laundry or kill time at a cafe. Of course, i prefer the latter! Thankfully, most cafes i stay at have free Wi-Fi. That also means i’ve got almost close to unlimited time surfing the net – which, for a big part of, i spent checking the latest free Apps for the iPhone.

In the top 25 or something apps, there is 100 Cameras in 1. This app lets you modify your photos, applying one or several filters that enhances their appearance. For the free version, you only get some of the filters but if your only killing time – then that should be enough.

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Powerloqic 2Go ZeroFlex USB Mouse (best with Netbooks)

note: I don’t really go reviewing hardware but due to boredom – i ended up starting this post about the mouse i bought yesterday.

Powerloqic 2Go Zero Flex USB mouse isn’t a gamer’s mouse nor is it even a high-end mouse. In fact, it is one of the cheapest – that’s why i got it in the first place. I was looking for a highly portable mouse that could accompany my netbook when i travel. Using a netbook, i intend accessories to be as lightweight, portable and as inexpensive. I didn’t want a mouse that was as heavy as the laptop it was connecting to or is half its price. Good thing i’ve found Powerloqic’s product on one of the stalls in the IT shop.

ZeroFlex is quite nicely designed, coming in almost all black with just simple colored lines. It is quite sleek – as with most of their other models. Their line up are consistent with that form factor and layout. Even the packaging is nicely done.

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How to Hard Reset an iPhone

My iPhone just blacked out on me.. again!
This has happened to me several times before. The last time, it went back on after while. This time it just went dead.

Since the iPhone doesn’t really have a battery that you can pull out (like the other smartphones) nor does it have a reset ‘hole’ that you can insert a pin or a pick – it isn’t obvious how you can hard-reset the unit. Well, not obvious if you haven’t read about it before.

How to: Hold down both the power button and the home button at the same time until it shuts down.

Of course, make sure it’s not connected to your computer (as that would give a different effect when connected to iTunes).

That’s it!

I just keep on forgetting this, almost all the time. I admit that my iPhone isn’t the only one whose got bugs. Haha.

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Essential App: Virtual Clone Drive (How To Use an ISO Image)

As mentioned in my previous post as to Why and How To make disc images, I make backups of my most important discs – from Driver discs, Installer discs and even some movie discs. I could just as well burn these backup onto blank discs but most of the time I just load them up (or mount them) as virtual drives.

Even if you don’t make your own disc images, some software-makers are now opting to use ISO images for download instead of distributing them as physical discs (or at least provides the option to). And with the widespread use of netbooks (laptops that doesn’t normally come with DVD drives), you might find yourself still trying to find out how to use ISO images. Again, you can burn these files to physical drives (which you would probably still use another App) or just mount them using simple, widely available tools.

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How To: Create backups (ISO drive images) of a Disc

Disclaimer: You already know about software piracy so i won’t iterate the details. This post is not intended to condone it. It’s best that you just create backups of what you already own.
And by the way, this is more of a ‘Why’ than a ‘HowTo’ since the tutorial is too simple. Hehe

 

Drive images, specifically ISO files – is one of the reasons why my external storage devices are starting to stack up on my desk. These are the (virtual) software copies of a drive – usually a CD or DVD. Every important CD/DVD that i have, has a virtual copy. I started with the driver disks for my motherboard and video card. Then, with the installers for my major applications. They are backups I made because the physical disks are just so easily scratched and damaged over time.

 

Why You Need to Make Disc Images?

To avoid hair-pulling frustration over a slightly scratched DVD that just won’t continue loading because the damage was enough to cause a ‘redundant cyclic error’ or some other obscure problem – I simply create backups of every important disc I have: from driver discs, installers, games and sometimes even video discs. Their ISOs can easily be loaded as a virtual drive – appearing as if physical drives on a PC.

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How To: Use iPhone 4 as a Personal Hotspot (Globe Tattoo SIM)

Thanks to the 4.3 iOS, iPhone 4 owners can now turn their phones into a personal WiFi Hotspot! Woohoo!

It beats buying a separate 3G hotpot device or router!

(although, i'm not sure if this feature has already been supported by some jailbroken app. this time it is natively supported by the iOS).

In this HowTo, we’ll be setting up the personal hotspot using a postpaid Globe Tattoo SIM. We’ll be needing the following:

1. A Tattoo SIM (or any SIM that is 3G enabled) – cut into a microsim if necessary (see my separate post)

2. iPhone 4 that’s been updated to the latest iOS version (4.3 up)

3. Other wi-fi enabled devices (laptop, other phones, e-readers)

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How To: Use a new SIM for iPhone 4 internet browsing

Okay, there really is ‘supposed’ to be no need to give this how to since by default, you should be able to browse the internet using a 3G connection. Well, that’s not usually the case, particularly for iPhones that were factory unlocked and is now using a different SIM/carrier.

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Essential App: Microsoft Security Essentials

We all have a set of applications that we can’t seem to live without. What with all the software that’s been created, we’re bound to pick our favorites – be it necessary or entertaining. I’ve decided to put a set of posts that would list and describe my favorite applications – focusing on the essential ones. These apps are the ones that i surely can’t live without (well, until i find a replacement. haha).

It’s just right to start this series of posts regarding Essential Apps with the one that has the most appropriate name.

Miscrosoft Security Essential.

Needless to say this is a Windows only app (from umm.. Microsoft).

One very good thing worth mentioning though, is that it is FREE!

This piece of software is essentially an antivirus, anti-spyware (anti-malware). It has a very simple user interface (see below) and doesn’t consume that much resources.

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iPhone Headset Controls

The headset that came with your iPhone 4 isn’t just for listening or changing the volume, it’s got a very simple set of controls but works intuitively with iPhone operations. Since there are still a lot who may not know the purpose of the middle button (the depressed gray area in between the + and – symbols (of the volume), I’ve decided to post this.

Here’s a quick reference for the headset controls:

 

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How To: Set iPhone 4 to Permanent Portrait Orientation

If you already know about the iPhone 4 feature for double-tapping the home button (see post here), then you may already know about the Portrait orientation setting as well.

If you happen to miss that, here's a quick tip.

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Quick Tip: Keep Offline in Yahoo Sites when logged in Yahoo Messenger

I used to ask how some people are able to know that i'm online even when i've already set that i'm invisible to that particular person (ehem.. suffice to say, i wasn't in the mood to chat with that particular person. haha).

It was actually, easy when your using Yahoo! Messenger. Although you can set your invisibility for a contact or group of contacts but there are simple ways to see if your online or not. One way is by just logging-in to yahoo mail and on your address book or e-mail you'd see the bright-yellow smiley (sometimes yellow dot) right next to a contact that is online. Viola! You’re exposed!

You’ll see similar indications through out Yahoo Websites. So you see, you’re not necessarily invisible to certain contacts.

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How To: Turn off background apps on the iPhone 4

A teammate of mine, just told me this ‘new’ feature of the iPhone 4 that i wasn’t aware of. It’s ‘new’ to me since the feature was not present in the iPhone 2G which i had for the longest time.

The iPhone 4 supports background apps, unlike the 2G. Well, technically, it isn’t the hardware but the software OS that supports it.

Anyway, you can view the apps running in the background by simply double tapping the home button.

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Simple (and Inexpensive) Ways to Speed-up Your Computer (PC)

PART 1 – EASY

With computers and computer components getting cheaper and faster almost everyday, people tend to forget that there are a lot other ways of speeding up their computers without spending a lot on the latest parts or upgrading. So, if you’re one of those who just want a little more boost on performance, i have a few tips. Starting off from the simplest down to the bit obscure, here are the things that i use over the years get a little more from my hardware: 

1. Clean up your desktop.

This is probably the quickest way: try cleaning up your desktop (nope, not the table where you put your computer). Basically you’d want to remove (or just move) the files and shortcuts that are littered on your desktop. Windows would actually take some processing time just to process and display the icons for these files and links. So to reduce that, delete them or just create a folder on your desktop and put all your desktop items inside that folder. When you need those files, just open up that folder from the desktop.

 

If your desktop is like the smaller image above, then it’s time to do some de-cluttering. The above is actually pretty tame, with only having icons halfway through the desktop. I’ve seen people’s desktop full to the brim, i meant, to the edges. You can always use folders on your desktop! So, put most of your desktop files inside folders.

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How to Share your 3G USB Internet with Windows 7 thru Wi-fi without a Router

Tags: 3G USB, Connectify, Windows 7, Wi-Fi, Router, Share Internet, 3G Modem

I have spent two sleepless nights just trying to connect my Wii to the internet using my 3G/HSDPA USB modem. I didn’t want to spend on a 3G router since i wasn’t sure if i’m going to stay at the service. I tried using ‘ad hoc’ and using an actual wi-fi router with a ton of trials and errors (all results were errors).

And, after some hair-pulling frustration, i found this nifty little tool that practically solved my problem almost instantly.

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