How to Design Web Pages

For as long as the Internet has been present in people’s homes, the desire to own your own little parcel of land in cyberspace has also existed. The only thing stopping most people is a complete lack of knowledge on how to design web pages. Today, thousands of websites offer pre-packaged, pre-hosted web pages that are perfect for blogging or even e-commerce, but what if you want something truly unique? Learning how to design web pages isn’t difficult, but there are a few decisions you are going to have to make before you get started.

First, you are going to have to decide if you want to design your own webpage yourself or if you want to hire an outside firm to do it for you. The cost of outsourcing your web page is based directly on how complex a page you desire. If you simply want a three or four page blog using Wordpress and other basic design programs, the cost is going to be minimal, but if you have your heart set on a giant e-commerce portal that is going to double as a full time job, then costs begin to rise dramatically. A good rule of thumb is to have a web design structure in mind when shopping around for professional quotes and then stick to that idea as your site is being built so you don’t get talked into any add ons that could blow your budget sky high.

If you have decided to take on the challenge of how to design web pages yourself, you have still more decisions to make. There are two main kinds of web design routes available to you: ones that use a variety of templates to give you completed web pages that you then customize to create a unique site, and ones that actually let you write your own code yourself. Either way, you are going to need web design software. Probably the most popular and feature packed web design software is Dreamweaver from Adobe. A less expesive option is CoffeeCup. If you are going to create and edit your own graphics, you will also need a graphics software package like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Image Ready, or PaintShop Pro. It is highly recommended that you have some degree of HTML or PHP background before trying to build your own site without the help of templates, but many entrepreneurs simply decide to learn as they go. If you have the time and the patience, it isn’t a bad way to go, but if you want a finished product within the next few months, you probably want to go with a basic template design.

The next step in learning how to design web pages is deciding if you want a complex site that allows for a high degree of user interaction or one that is more basic and simply lets the content speak for itself. Most people base the site they are building on the topic of the site. Most blogs are very basic, text heavy sites, although some, like Crooks & Liars, uses a good mix of video, audio and text to create a more interactive blogging experience. You can even have a e-commerce site that is relatively basic, although you may want to get a little professional assistance for the checkout system, which can be rather complicated.

Finally, most web owners have a good idea of the audience they are trying to reach with their website. If you plan on reaching out to people under 30, you may need a dynamic website that is capable of capturing people’s attention quickly, or if you are creating a site where your main audience is elderly, you likely want a far more basic site that is text driven. Knowing your audience is a huge part of learning how to design web pages.

It wasn’t that long ago that you needed a strong background in HTML to author a web page. Today, anyone with enough patience can do it, and do it well. Learning how to design web pages can even be a family activity. The sooner you learn, the sooner you can have your own parcel of land on the Information Superhighway.

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How to memorize the guitar fretboard

On the surface, learning to play guitar seems pretty easy. All you really need to know is where to put your fingers and how to jump around stage, but in reality, learning how to memorize the guitar fretboard has scared off more than one prospective player. In fact, the idea of picking up your first guitar and realizing just how many notes there are and how exacting your fingering has to be can be downright intimidating. Every guitar teacher has their own methods of teaching their students how to memorize the guitar fretboard, but many students find that taking a three pronged approach: hearing, seeing and touching, works best. Here are a few helpful tips for how to memorize the guitar fretboard.

If you were go back in time and attempt to learn how to memorize the guitar fretboard, you would likely be greeted with note graphics. Many traditional teachers even today use these notes to teach their students exactly where the particular notes are on the fretboard. Of course, most people can’t and don’t learn from such sterile graphics, but used in conjunction with other forms of learning, graphic depictions can be of some use. It is important to know before you try to learn how to memorize the guitar fretboard that you understand how you learn: visually, audibly or with note graphics.

To try to add a little bit of fun to what is a rather boring part of learning guitar, some teachers will make flash cards. On one side, you would write each individual fret, from 1-12. On the other side of the card, you would write the sequence of notes. You can begin quizzing yourself by memorizing which notes are in each fret, but don’t just rely on this one form of learning. Intermingle it with other forms of learning, such as playing each note as you say it, or, if you can play other instruments, try playing them on a piano. By taking a multi-faceted approach, listing, memorization and playing, you will learn your fretboard much faster.

You can take the flash card idea even farther once you have the first level memorized. This time, take a second set of flash cards and write down individual frets and notes, such as 5th fret, 3rd note. As you begin to master this new set of cards, try to accompany each correct answer with proper fingering on your guitar and note playing, as well. It is a long way from tearing down the house with a lighting fast solo, but it is important to remember that every guitar player was where you are right now at one point.

It may turn out that you learn faster from the use of mnemonics. Most grade school kids are taught the scales using the mnemonic device Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge (E, G,B,D,F). If you can remember these mnemonic devices easier than other methods of learning the fretboard, then feel free to use them.

Learning how to memorize the guitar fretboard can be a bit intimidating and even scary when you are first saddled with the responsibility. However, there are enough tricks and enough different methods out there for everyone to succeed.

Posted in Guitar lessons | 1 Comment »

Conficker Virus Patch, Protection, and Removal

How can I prevent the Conficker virus?
Though there is no guarantee, the following steps will help prevent the virus:

1. Download this patch from Microsoft.

2. Install quality antivirus software like Bitdefender and make sure Real-time Protection is enabled.

3. A more drastic step is to disable Windows Autorun feature, but this requires editing the registry. Please be aware that editing the registry can be dangerous if you do not know what you are doing and if you are not careful, you could end losing data or rendering your computer useless. Before editing the registry, you should make a full backup of the registry, this is explained here. If you are comfortable with editing the registry, you can follow the directions in this article to disable the Autorun feature.

What is the Conficker Virus?
The Conficker virus, also known as Kido, Downup, or Downadup is a widely spread malicious worm designed to take control of your computer, steal passwords, remotely access your files, as well as download additional malware. The worm has the ability to disable important Windows Security features such as Automatic Updates, Windows Defender, and Background Intelligent Transfer Service. The Conficker virus can also block access to antivirus and security related websites as well as attempt to replicate itself to other computers through a network connection. Around 10 million computers have been infected to date and is still spreading and mutating rapidly.

How does it spread?
The Conficker virus can spread via the internet using a vulnerability in Windows (if it hasn’t been patched - see below). It can also spread via network shares and removable USB drives and memory sticks.

How do I know that my computer is infected?
Here are a some signs that your computer is infected:

1. Automatic updates and/or Background Intelligent Transfer Service have been disabled without your permission. You can determine if these services have been stopped disabled by going to Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services

2. If you try to go to certain antivirus company websites such as mcafee.com, symantec.com, avg.com, the pages will not load.

3. You may see an Autoplay window appear on your screen that looks similar to the screenshot below:

Notice the option “Open folder to view files. Publisher not specified” this was added by the worm. The highlighted option “Open folder to view files using Windows Explorer” is the typical option provided by Windows:

How can I remove the Conficker virus if my computer has been infected?
If your computer is already infected with the Conficker worm, here is a Conficker-specific removal tool from BitDefender.

If you are interested in a complete security solution to protect your computer from future virus and malware attacks, we recommend BitDefender. You can see our full review here.

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How To Transfer Web Hosting Services

On the surface, learning how to transfer web hosting services seems like a monumental task. In reality, the process is made up of several small steps that, once completed, won’t seem nearly as complicated as they did at first. A good web hosting service will be there to help you make the switch. Since they’ve done this sort of thing thousands of times before, they might even have a flyer or email they can send you with tips that apply directly to their particular service. In general, you’ll want to follow these tips on how to transfer web hosting services.

The first step is to create a transfer schedule that is realistic. If your site is tiny and only consists of a few pages, it won’t take very long at all to complete the transfer, although the DNS switch could drag out the process, however, if you are looking to move your e-commerce site, you need at least a month to get the job done, and no matter how efficient your switch may be, there is going to be a period where there is downtime. Make sure you factor that into your schedule.

When you choose your new web host, there are several important things you need to keep in mind. If you are running a blog or a site that uses PHP or MySQL, you are going to need to make sure your new host supports it. The same goes for any other features that you’ve grown accustomed to, such as autoresponders and anti-spam email filters. Even though you may be in a rush to get away from the poor hosting that you currently have, you need to make sure you look before you leap.

Once you are situated with your new host, you’ll need to begin uploading all files in your web directory to your new home. You should already have a copy of every file that is present on your old host’s servers, but just in case, make sure you save everything before your old site is deleted. Once you’ve uploaded everything, you can go to the testing phase. If you are using a MySQL database, you will have to create the database on the new server and export all of the data from your database and import it into your new database. You should be able to export your old data using PHPMyAdmin from your old host’s control panel. Then just import the data again using PHPMyAdmin. Some hosts may even complete this process for you.

One of the more complex steps you’ll need to take is switching the DNS. You’ll need to contact the company that you registered your domain with and either let them know your new DNS servers so that they can update the DNS record for your domain, or, if you feel comfortable, you could use their online control panel to update it yourself. It takes a period of time for them to complete this process, although today’s propagation takes significantly less time than it used to. Try to begin this process as early as possible so you can be ready to go with your new host as quickly as possible.

Once your new site is ready to go on your new host, make sure you test it with all of the available browsers, including Safari for Macs. You also need to find out about the new security features available through your new host, as well as any compatibility issues. Contact your new host directly to learn about how these issues could impact your site.

Knowing how to transfer web hosting services is an important part of today’s online business world. There are so many great hosting services out there, there is no reason to stick with one that isn’t meeting your needs. Now that you know how to transfer web hosting services, you can find the perfect host for your site!

If you want to see the latest comparisons and reviews of web hosting services, check out web hosting service reviews.

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11 Common Computer Virus Symptoms

It can be a nightmare scenario for any computer owner: your beloved machine begins to act strangely and before you know it, you’ve lost complete control and you realize too late that you have a virus. One of the “good” things about computer viruses is that, in most cases, you know immediately when you have one. While there is no complete list of computer virus symptoms, there are a few key things you can look for.

1. Home Page Redirects – We all know and love our home page, the Internet page that opens up automatically whenever we start our browsers. If you are noticing that your web browser is displaying a different page, one you’ve never heard of, on startup, however, chances are you have a virus.

2. Significant Slow Downs – Computer viruses eat up a lot of your system resources. If you notice that programs are loading slower, or they won’t open at all, and your hard drive seems to be running constantly, chances are, you have a computer virus infection.

3. Mid Browsing Redirects – Along with having a new home page chosen for you against your will, you may also notice that every 10 or 20 pages you visit automatically sends you back to one you never asked to go to in the first place. These automatic redirects are often a key sign that you have a bug.

4. Pop ups Everywhere – Most of us are used to getting pop up windows as we browse the Internet, but if you are getting them constantly, and they all seem to be for the same one or two websites, then you likely have a virus. Some bugs are so bothersome that you get pop ups even when you aren’t using a web browser.

5. Computer Lock Ups – With today’s lighting fast computer chips, lockups have, for the most part, become a thing of the past. However, if you are noticing that your computer suddenly becomes unresponsive, you are probably exhibiting computer trojan or computer worm symptoms. If this happens every time you run a particular program, try starting up in safe mode and running your virus protection right away.

6. Bizarre Error Messages – Most of us know what typical Windows error messages look like. If you begin to see pop up windows with bizarre or odd sounding error messages in them, try to copy down the message you see and then Google it. You’ll know soon enough if your computer is showing computer virus symptoms or if you have a program that just isn’t acting normally.

7. Fake Virus Scans – Often times, websites will use authentic looking, albeit fake, virus scans of your computer to make it appear that you are infected with hundreds of bugs. The “scan” will then tell you that you need to click on this link and download a computer virus protection software, which, in actuality, is just a pack of viruses. Ignore these scans and perform one of your own to see if you are showing computer virus symptoms.

8. Distortions on your Desktop – If you suddenly notice that dialog boxes, chat windows and other programs look differently than they did before, you either have a problem with your display, your video card or with a virus. Start by running your virus protection software and then move on to non-virus related solutions.

9. A Huge Increase in File Space/Decrease in Free Drive Space – One activity that viruses love is to replicate and to invite their friends over. You can have a computer with an almost empty hard drive, and then a moment later, have one that has run out of space completely. If you’ve gotten a warning about being out of drive space when you shouldn’t be, you are showing classic computer virus symptoms.

10. Huge Decrease in Download Speeds – Not only can a virus take control of your computer, it can hog your bandwidth, as well. Try restarting and resetting your Internet connection to see if your connection speed improves, if not, perform a virus scan immediately.

11. New Icons – Most of us can name the different icons that are on our desktop, but if you see icons disappear or appear that you don’t recognize, your computer is exhibiting classic computer virus symptoms.

If you want to see the latest comparisons and reviews of antivirus software, check out antivirus software reviews.

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The 3 Best Guitar Courses Available Online

Whether you want to become the next Jimmy Hendrix, or just want to make use of that antique acoustic guitar collecting dust in your closet, you’ll have to explore some form of guitar lessons or guitar instruction. Traditional guitar lessons can be helpful but can also be inconvenient and expensive, especially if you continue for an extended period of time, since most instructors charge by the hour. Fortunately, there is an alternative - self driven guitar courses in which you can learn at your own pace and at your convenience, and without hurting your wallet. Sure, guitar books have been around for awhile, but that’s not what I’m talking about. With today’s technology, you can find extremely well produced video lessons on DVD  or even streamable over the internet. Below, I summarize the 3 best guitar courses from our guitar course review site.

1. Learn and Master Guitar - The best of the best.  Learn and Master Guitar is the most complete, most effective, and easiest to follow guitar course available. All material is very high quality and is appropriate for beginner, intermediate, advanced, and pro players, and they also offer a 60-day money back guarantee. If you want a single all-inclusive guitar course, taking you from beginner to expert, this is it.

2. Guitar Tips - Guitar Tips is a great package which provides alot of material. One unique thing with this course is that all material can be accessed online or completely downloaded to your computer. This is useful if you travel alot and have a laptop. The only downside of this course is they don’t have the jam-along feature with actual songs like Learn and Master Guitar does.

3.  Jamorama - Jamorama is a combination of a downloadable e-book and downloadable software. It is designed to take an absolute beginner and get them playing at an intermediate level in a relatively short amount of time. For the price, you do get alot of material, including alot of tablature, however, Jamorama is not a complete course. For an extra 30 dollars, Jamorama has an optional add-on kit called ‘Jamorama Lead Guitar’ which goes into scales and advanced soloing techniques.

If your not ready to dive into a full guitar course just yet, check out our 5 beginner guitar exercises, you may surprised at how fast you catch on.

Posted in Guitar lessons, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Requests for new review categories

I would like to create some new review sites to kick off the new year. Feel free to leave a comment to suggest some categories in which you would like to see products compared and reviewed. Please suggest categories/products which can be purchased online such as software, online services, or learning courses. If I get enough similar suggestions, I’ll try complete the reviews/comparisons and launch the site(s) by early February.

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Latest Netflix statistics

Netflix is unarguably the largest and most established online DVD rental service. They have grown quickly over the last few years. Here are some of Netflix’s latest stats.

Subscribers: 8,000,000+

DVD Titles: 100,000+

Distribution centers: 55.

Delivery rate: 95%+ of Netflix members live in areas that generally receive shipments in one business day.

To see our full review of Netflix online DVD rental service click here.

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BitDefender Awarded Advanced+ Certification

AV-comparitives.org, an independent organization which tests and compares anti virus software, has given BitDefender (our Top Choice in the antivirus category) further praise. They have awarded BitDefender with the top certification available for their performance tests. The test simulates various system processes such as file copies, audio/video encoding, and startup/shutdown with the anti virus software running. It doesn’t surprise me that BitDefender performed at a level required to receive the top certification for this test. Compared to the antivirus giants such as McAfee and Norton, BitDefender’s CPU and memory usage are very minor which is one of the reasons why we have ranked them as our Top Choice for 3 years in a row. You can read our full review of BitDender here.

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Minnesota and Ohio get $500,000 Grants To Combat Sexual Predators.

The U.S. Department of Justice has recently awarded The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension a half million dollars to help combat sexual predators and internet child predators. Ohio also received the grant. The Minnesota BCA says that the money will help bolster their task force and forensic efforts which should take several dozens of sexual predators off the street.

Thumbs up to the Department of Justice, but what about the other 48 states? Are their sexual predators less dangerous than those in Minnesota and Ohio?

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