Why Use Mozilla Firefox?

Firefox is a completely free open-source web browser created by the Mozilla Foundation. Although many people haven't heard of it before, it is a very popular alternative to Internet Explorer. In fact, Firefox's latest version was so popular that it set the Guinness World Record for most downloaded software in a 24-hour period when it was released on June 17, 2008.

Firefox is a great alternative to Microsoft's Internet Explorer, mostly because of its security and customization. Firefox is able to download items more quickly, is vastly more secure against malicious viruses and hackers, and offers great customization options, making it an obvious choice for people who spend a lot of their time browsing the Internet.

Internet Explorer lacks the multitude of great add-ons (downloadable enhancements) that Firefox offers. Mozilla has cultivated and encouraged a very creative user-based community that offers a wide range of options for customization. Thousands of add-ons of all different types are available for download at the Mozilla website, allowing users to personalize their Firefox experience.

Firefox also employs tabbed browsing, which makes browsing multiple web pages possible. A great feature that allows users to view different web pages in a single browser window, which is especially convenient for comparison shopping.

Although tabbed browsing has finally been adopted by Internet Explorer 7, Microsoft's browser significantly slows down after just several tabs have been opened, whereas Firefox can handle many more before any noticeable reduction in speed or responsiveness. Firefox also has the huge advantage because its users are able to customize their tabs through Mozilla's database of add-ons geared specifically at improving the tabbed browsing feature.

Unlike Internet Explorer, Firefox only uses a small amount of memory to open and run. The web browser only takes up a few resources, leaving your computer plenty of memory to run and operate other programs. Users also praise Firefox's ability to bring back their Firefox session, including all tabs that were open, if it should ever close unexpectedly.

Firefox offers its users with top-notch security against Internet-born viruses and spyware. Unlike Internet Explorer, Firefox utilizes incredibly superior built-in security measures that protect its users against any viruses, spyware and pop-ups that they may get while browsing the Internet. It is also constantly updated and patched in response to the latest security threats.

Of course, Firefox has its disadvantages as well, mainly in the form of incompatibility. Some websites designed specifically for Internet Explorer will not display properly or at all with Firefox, especially pages with ActiveX and VBScript, which are not supported by Firefox.

Mozilla is one of several free downloadable Internet browsers available. Smaller memory footprint, high levels of customization, faster load times and better security all make Mozilla's Firefox a worthy competitor in the internet browser war. So try it out for yourself and decide if it's the right browser for you.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Why-Use-Mozilla-Firefox-/517845

As Mozilla Disses the Enterprise, Google Chrome Steps Into the Breach

Mozilla evangelist Aza Dotzler drew a line in the sand  this week, saying that the company hasn't been concerned with the business community's complaints about its Firefox Web browser, and it shouldn't ever be. But IT administrators who winced at those words may have a new ally in Google's Chrome development team.

As popular as Firefox is with their users, businesses have been decrying Mozilla's typical, rapid-fire schedule of updates to the browser. They claim that the frenzied schedule poses a challenge for testing and deploying Firefox updates throughout an organization, particularly ones that may be supporting thousands of clients running Firefox, or those that have many custom in-house Web apps.

Even worse by enterprise lights, after only three weeks of release, Mozilla has declared Firefox 4 support end-of-lifed with the release of Firefox 5.

"Tying Firefox product development to an organizational process we do not control would make it difficult for us to continue to innovate for our users and the betterment of the Web," said another key spokesman, Mozilla channel manager Kev Needham.

While Mozilla reiterates that business organizations' interests are not critical to Firefox's development, Google is taking great lengths to reassure that same audience about its commitment to commercial customers. Glenn Wilson, product manager of Chrome for Business said that although Google's browser has just as rapid of an update process as Firefox (updates are pushed out every six weeks), the Chrome team is focused on achieving a balance between security updates and compatibility.

"We have been listening to admins and they have been helping drive a road map," Wilson said recently. For Google, adoption of Chrome in the enterprise, schools and government "is a priority," he added.

That priority takes shape in several native capabilities intended to make Chrome more appealing to IT. One such feature included is support for Group Policy. Although Google's Chrome team only supports the current version of Chrome, with Group Policy integration, administrators can delay updating until a newer version of Chrome is fully tested to ensure compatibility with custom Web apps or other browser-based software.

This way, in the event an update does break a critical piece of software, admins can say, "Don't update until we can find out what's going on," Wilson said.

System administrators can also manage usage of extensions for Chrome through Group Policy. There are several policy templates that Google offers for Chrome to help with the management and customization of Chrome settings in a corporate environment.

Another big feature for business users is an MSI installer, which allows IT to roll out Chrome using standard deployment methods.

Google also offers another tool to alleviate pain points for business—the Google Chrome Frame. It's a plug-in that delivers Chrome's Open Web technology and JaveScript engine to IE. Organizations who want to hold off on auto-updating Chrome can do so and still offer managed Chrome Frame to their users.

Additionally, Google Apps users can call Google for Chrome support, if needed.

In contrast to Mozilla, Google seems focused on not alienating businesses and a big reason for that is its continued push for Google Chrome OS. During the All Things Digital D9 conference in April, Rajen Sheth, a group product manager and business manager at Google, put it bluntly, "My mission is to bring Chrome to business and to ask how we make it something that can reshape the enterprise desktop."

Google is banking on its business customers' love for Chrome to naturally morph into love for Chrome OS. That's not a bad bet.

Source: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2387704,00.asp

Mozilla retires Firefox 4 from security support

Upgrade to Firefox 5 to get patches, says company, but add-on compatibility issues may make some users hesitate Firefox 5 was Mozilla's decision to retire Firefox 4, the browser it shipped just three months ago. As part of Tuesday's Firefox 5 release, Mozilla spelled out vulnerabilities it had patched in that edition and in 2010's Firefox 3.6, but it made no mention of any bugs fixed in Firefox 4.

That's because Firefox 4 has reached what Mozilla calls EOL, for "end of life," for vulnerability patches. Although the move may have caught users by surprise, the decision to stop supporting Firefox 4 with security updates has been discussed by Mozilla's developers and managers for weeks.

A mozilla.dev.planning mailing list thread that started May 17 evolved into a back-and-forth about the rapid-release schedule and its impact on Firefox 4. Christian Legnitto, the Firefox release manager, put it most succinctly in a May 25 message. "Firefox 5 will be the security update for Firefox 4," Legnitto said. As Mozilla had said earlier, that means Firefox 4.0.1 -- shipped in late April to fix eight flaws -- was the one and only security update for Firefox 4.

Mozilla is essentially taking another page from Google Chrome's playbook. Google only outlines the patches it has applied to the current "stable" build, the most polished form of Chrome that is analogous to Mozilla's final releases. Google does not patch the flaws in earlier editions, primarily because it automatically updates the browser in the background, ensuing that virtually all users are running the most secure version.

Mozilla doesn't yet conduct automatic updates, but it has changed how upgrades to a new version are offered to Firefox users. "[For earlier major upgrades] we popped up a window asking people to opt in (major update offer)," said Legnitto in another message on the same thread. "For 4.0.1, users will need to opt out (minor update offer, like point/security releases)." Mozilla expects the opt-out approach will get more users onto the newest edition faster.

On Tuesday, Firefox 4 users started seeing the upgrade offer for Firefox 5 when a pop-up appeared reading: "A security and stability update for Firefox is available. It is strongly suggested that you apply this update for Firefox as soon as possible."In the offer, the default action was "Update Firefox." Only by clicking the "Ask Later" button or by closing the pop-up can users decline the upgrade. But some Firefox 4 users may want to opt out of the upgrade, even though that leaves them at risk to exploits of already patched bugs. One traditional area of concern is add-on compatibility, a pain point known to longtime Firefox users when they've moved from one version number to the next.

Mozilla has retired Firefox 4 from security support, and is prompting users to upgrade to the new Firefox 5.

Source: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9217837/Mozilla_retires_Firefox_4_from_security_support

Mozilla Firefox 5 almost out the door

Firefox fans looking for a nice tasty update to their favorite web browser have something to look forward to next week. Mozilla released the Firefox 5 RC (Release Candidate) version of the browser yesterday (this is the step after beta and before the final release), and announced that it has plans to release the final version of the browser next week – assuming no major bugs are found or overhauls need to be done, which is usually the case.
In case you haven’t been keeping up with the Firefox nightly builds/beta, here is a list of features that have been added to the RC version of Firefox 5:

• Added support for CSS animations;
• The Do-Not-Track header preference has been moved to increase discoverability;
• Improved canvas, JavaScript, memory, and networking performance;
• Improved standards support for HTML5, XHR, MathML, SMIL and canvas;
• Improved spell-checking for some locales;
• Improved desktop environment integration for Linux users;
• WebGL content can no longer load cross-domain textures;
• Background tabs have setTimeout and setInterval clamped to 1000ms to improve performance; and
• The Firefox development channel switcher introduced in previous Firefox Beta updates has been removed.

If you thought – it’s only been a few months since the release of Firefox 4; Firefox 6 and 7 is expected to be released by the end of the year as well. It looks like Mozilla is doing a pretty good job of matching Google’s development cycle for its Chrome browser.

New Source: http://www.ubergizmo.com/2011/06/mozilla-firefox-5-almost-out-the-door/

Mozilla Firefox Breaks World Record

Mozilla Firefox 3.0, the resurgent browser developer has come of age with its latest offering. The new browser has been downloaded well over 8 million times in 24 hours as against the developer's target of 5 million and has entered the Guinness Book of World Records for maximum number of downloads in a single day of download history. There was overwhelming support, both from the United States and the Euro zone with downloads in excess of 2.5 million apiece.

The response for the finished Mozilla browser is largely on account of meticulous care the foundation has taken in providing solutions to expert suggestions. The new version was delivered after three and half years of extensive research and development which included of six months of public testing. The highly mutated form of earlier versions of the browser is set to change the way users organize and search the sites, they frequent more often. Back in late 1990's, the Netscape, the first browser developer virtually lost out to Microsoft's Internet Explorer, but with the third avatar of Firefox, they are making an attempt to garner the past glory.

After America Online took over Netscape, they created a non-profit Mozilla Foundation in 2003. The first offering from them, the Firefox, itself was able to catch the imagination of the internet buffs. It is estimated, Firefox has 200 million users worldwide prior to the launch of the new version and the numbers are still growing rapidly. Millions of users had downloaded Firefox and started using the browser in lieu of the default browser Internet Explorer clearly indicates its user-friendliness and application.

The new Firefox 3.0 browser is faster than Firefox 2.0. The latest versions of Internet Explorer, which has 75% share among the web users and other leading browser developers including Opera and Safari do not match the speed rendered by the latest Firefox version. Like its earlier version, this too has added security features to expunge any misuse. It has in-built features to instantly detect phishing and malware forays. Moreover, one's computer's resources are less drained while navigating on the internet with Firefox 3.0.

Consequently, Microsoft also unveiled the public test version of the latest edition of Internet Explorer, version 8.0. So far Firefox 3.0 has no competitor in terms of effectiveness and efficiency to strike any comparison. But the fine tuned edition of Internet Explorer which is expected to be released by the end of this year may become a potential competitor in the e-space. It is learned that even Apple's Safari browser has shrugged off its previous image of providing surf solutions to its own devices, and would be extending its compatible browsing services to other devices as well.

Stiff challenges in future is likely to improve the efficiency of browsers especially the subsequent versions of Firefox, which already offers exploring of multiple tabs or windows, complex pages and lots of embedded content without crashing. The exciting response on the download of new version, the most customizable browser ever to hit the net will certainly prompt the Mozilla Foundation to improve on.

Source: http://goo.gl/SBEoO

Browser Comparison - Mozilla Firefox Vs Internet Explorer

IE version 9 was officially launched on 15th September 2010 with a lot of promising features and a magnitude of reengineering to give a fast, clean, secure, never before web experience. You can download IE9 Beta from the official website Beautyoftheweb

Web browsing or internet browsing constitutes almost over 80% of usage for a PC / Laptop users. Still it is one of the most compromised areas too. Browser crashes and slower loading time of graphic web pages are going to be things of the past with the latest IE in action. One of the most striking feature of IE 9 is that it puts content first. The screen space for the website is increased and browser controls reduced. So how does the experience get better?

1. Hardware acceleration: With the use of Microsoft DirectX technology in this browser, premium quality graphics will be displayed at ease.

2. HTML 5: Now enjoy Adobe Flash and Microsoft SilverLight without any need for plugins - thanks to HTML 5 supportable IE 9

3. JScript engine: The javascript engine used in IE9 is "Chakra" which compiles scripts on the fly that the running time is reduced

4. SVG: With SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) incorporated in IE9, the images and charts and maps will no more be pixilated in browser.

IE 9 has some very cool features over its previous version.

Single search/URL bar: With the unified search and URL bar, the browser has more space to display the page contents using lesser space for browser tools.

Pin websites to taskbar: If you liked the feature in windows 7 that allowed you to pin the frequently used applications to the taskbar, then you are going to love this new feature in IE9. You can now pin a website like an application to the task bar. Voila, you get to browser your favorite site just by a single click. Whats more, if the site had configured meta tags for jump list, you'll see them upon right clicking on the pinned icon.

Smart Security: The IE9 is smarter in identifying and memorizing your regular download types.The built-in download manager doesn't pop up annoying warning for your most common types of downloads (like winamp) unlike the smartscreen filters in the previous IE versions.

Tear off/Aero Snap tabs: Well, this is not new if you had experience with Firefox 4. I thought this was one feature that IE was missing with respect to tabbed browsing and now that's there too!

Source: http://goo.gl/KwR9I

A Fast Examination of Mozilla Firefox

The well-known internet browser Mozilla Firefox is built for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux Ubuntu and is available in over seventy languages which makes it among the most common open-source software.

In order to fix the bugs of its older version (3.5), the browser's latest release puts the focus on rapid execution of Web pages just like its rival, Opera currently offers. The new version also continues to improve performance, stability, and security compared to prior releases, according to the Mozilla Foundation. Firefox now offers its users the option of "private browsing" that's already present in other competitors such as Safari.

Another element designed to enhance and facilitate the work of web designers; there are now numerous functions that permit designers to make more engaging websites. But it is the architecture and especially the performance of the engine which makes the difference. In truth it is on this aspect that Mozilla is trying to keep its leadership on the market.

On the list of latest development we've the automatic detection of extensions to ensure that they are compatible with newer versions of the browser before updating, new Personas, full screen videos, a greater number of fonts, along with added support for cutting edge CSS features. Concerning personas, which had made the success of the browser, the choice has been integrated into the browser, so you will no longer have to download the extension and for that reason no need to restart Firefox to see changes.

Firefox is a Internet browser more and more popular because of its many features and plug-ins which are very practical for its users and that perform faster than other browsers like Internet Explorer 8 that are less intuitive.

Nevertheless during recent times there's been more aggressive competition from the rivals. Internet Explorer just isn't far behind nowadays and has made some serious catching up. Google Chrome is undoubtedly a significant threat considering the fact that it is also open-source software and is backed up by the financial strength of Google. Up to now Firefox has been able to survive and we're expecting that it'll keep doing so and it is the other browsers which will have to be cautious about losing share of the market.

So the next times that you will need to set up a new browser on your laptop or desktop computer, don't forget about Mozilla Firefox and you'll not regret it.

Source: http://goo.gl/NvTUv

Firefox Vs Internet Explorer - Who Tops the Best Web Browsers?

So...the question is, which are the best web browsers? One of them has begun to take over the browser war with its growing name and high security features, the other is the default browser to the Microsoft Windows Operating System, & both are free web browsers.

One of Firefox's biggest advantages is the security they offer. This is often the reason for users switching from Internet Explorer to Firefox. Security is very important for software that interacts with remote computers, such as online banking. Microsoft has been working for years to try to clamp down on the Internet Explorer security holes. They acquired an anti-spyware product, which it released under the banner of Microsoft AntiSpyware. They also promised its new Windows Vista platform would be more secure. However, many users of Windows Vista are rapidly switching back to the previous Windows XP platform.

Firefox also has multiple operating system versions available for users who run Windows (Windows 98 through to Windows XP), Mac OS X, all the leading versions of Linux, as well as some lesser-used operating systems. In comparison, Microsoft has dropped development for Mac, and other non-Windows systems. Furthermore, Microsoft has ceased new development even on their own versions of Windows, making the new Internet Explorer only available to users who have a license for Windows XP.

    * With out-of-the-box features such as integrated Google search in the toolbar and multiple page tabs in one window, Firefox has IE constantly producing similar features in order to stay on par, yet they don't seem to fully perfect them.
    * Firefox has generated incredible brand loyalty by allowing users to contribute extensions to its evolution as one of the best web browsers / internet applications. Not only is this making Firefox the better browser but it's also building the type of brand loyalty you can't buy.
    * Mozilla is making things easier for developers by allowing us to use Firefox as much more than just one of the free web browsers. It's a validator, backlink checker, web developer tool wizard and more. This saves developers time and is a huge advantage over IE.
    * Additional Firefox extensions are easily downloadable and arranged in a way that makes them easy to find. Even better, they allow you to see who contributed an extension, and what other people's rating of that extension is.

That being said, it's also important to note that Firefox is a voluntary download. Meaning, you have to want it in order to get it on your computer. Internet Explorer ships out standard with the Windows operating system and that may very well be enough to keep them at the top.

Installation:

The IE 7 installer asks users to temporarily disable their antivirus and antispyware protection, which doesn't inspire confidence. Installing the ie7 download requires Windows validation, a restart, and a connection to Microsoft servers, which significantly slows down the process.

Installation of Firefox 2 is much faster and easier, completing in a minute or two. It scans any old versions for incompatible extensions, then updates any that are available. It also asks if you would like to import your saved bookmarks from IE.

Source: http://goo.gl/7pjg7

Why Mozilla Firefox is So Popular?

If we want to understand the reasons behind Firefox success we have to find the origins of the browser. During, September 2002 the first version of the browser was released to the public called Phoenix. The browser was based on Gecko engine from Mozilla Suite. After, a number of releases the name was changed to Firebird but due to a legal dispute it was changed again to Firefox. This browser has received a great deal of publicity as an alternative browser to Internet Explorer.

There are many factors behind Firefox's success but I think the added features and the marketing strategy make a whole lot difference in users' adopting the software. Another thing, I want to add is that Internet Explorer after winning the battle with Netscape's browser was left with no significant changes. Of course, this has changed with the upcoming new version of windows called Vista and a new version of Internet Explorer. I suppose Microsoft is trying to correct some omissions and bugs in various levels of the browser.

We are now going to explore the main features Firefox has at the moment. One of the main goal of the developers working in Firefox is enhanced usability and accessibility for the end user. Tabbed browsing, where you load many pages on the same window, is a valuable feature in Firefox as it can make your browsing a lot faster. Also, pop-up blocking eliminates those irritating ads and the user can easily find information on a particular page using the 'find as you type' feature. The built in search bar includes all the major search engines such as Google, Yahoo etc. and you can add more search engines if you want. People working on the accessibility of the browser have manged to make Firefox work with several screen readers, screen magnifiers and on-screen keyboards. These accessibility features can help people with impairments browse the Internet easier than before.

Another feature Firefox users like very much is that they can customize easily many aspects of the browser. Extensions such as the popular web developer or the Venkman debugger can be added to the browser and enhance the functionality of Firefox. Users, often like to have an appearance according to their preferences so they use different themes in Firefox. Therefore, themes are used to change the visual appearance of the browser.

Security is really important for end users and corporations. Both, want a secure browser that they can trust without the security holes of Internet Explorer and its ActiveX technology. Mozilla Firefox fulfills this requirement mainly by giving the opportunity to other developers to check the code for security bugs and using various successful security techniques and models such as the sandbox security model. In addition, the browser can be used in many different platforms and the source code is freely available for anyone to compile it and contribute to the project.

We have seen numerous features that Firefox has but I would like to talk a little bit about the marketing strategy that is used. The development of the browser is supported by search engines Google and Yahoo through partnerships and mostly by the open source community. Mozilla Foundation which is responsible for the development of the browser believes that community based marketing can be successful. They have proven their point by using a community based marketing web site called spreadfirefox.com. They were able to place an ad on New York Times through donations made by the community of developers and devotees during the release of Firefox 1.0.

Source: http://goo.gl/IYXzh

Windows 7 – organizational functionality

With better navigation in the latest operating system, Windows 7, everyday tasks are easier to access. Introduction of Libraries helps to organize all files – music, videos, pictures, personal documents in a much better way. The new features also enable you to search remote desktop. Windows 7 applications offers several enhanced features for IT professionals like augmented search, browse, and organization that is helpful in deploying and maintaining desktop functionality.

It a nutshell, Windows 7 offers:

•    Better performance and relevance of the search experience
•    Aggregation and visualizations have been introduced to improve the organization of search results.
•    The introduction of libraries to help with organization.
•    Betterment in the performance and user interface of Windows Explorer.
•    All supported operating systems available with added Group Policy settings.
•    An expanded ability to do fast remote queries of file shares, including on Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows XP with Windows Search 4.0 installed.
•    Minimum effect on the server running Microsoft Exchange Server when indexing uncached e-mail.
•    Performance and stability of the indexer gets improved
•    The ability to assign mailboxes for e-mail.
•    Encrypted documents support for indexing local file systems.
•    Support for indexing digitally signed e-mail clients such as Microsoft Outlook.

By Windows Search Service, you can perform quick file searches on a server from your computers which is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2. You can also search digitally signed email messages along with the attachments.

Look for more things with better search option

The starter pack of Windows 7 makes it easier for small notebook PCs to use the operating system as it takes less time to boot, involves less clicking, and less hassle connecting to networks.

This edition combines the latest in reliability and responsiveness with the familiarity and compatibility of Windows. Although in previous Microsoft OS, Windows Search has a familiar user interface for instant finding of files and e-mail messages located on your PC.

Windows 7 Home premium edition makes it easy to establish a home network and share all your favorite photos, videos, and music. With the help of Window 7 or windows xp 7 you can even watch, pause, rewind, and record TV.

With Windows 7 Professional edition, you can run many Windows XP productivity programs in Windows XP Mode and recover data easily with automatic backups to your home or business network. With Windows 7 you can also connect to company networks easily and with more security.

The Ultimate version of Windows 7 combines remarkable ease-of-use with the entertainment features of Windows 7 Home Premium and the business capabilities of Professional. And for enhanced security, you can encrypt your data with BitLocker and BitLocker To Go. You can also work in any of 35 languages with this edition of Windows 7. These are the features that give you a definite edge over earlier versions of Microsoft OS. I also think that the view your active networks section now looks much nicer and easier to understand.

Another interesting feature in Windows 7 is Reliability Monitor that allows you to know any future problem in advance. We often come across problems which might have been solved if known earlier. But how to know what our system is lacking?

Reliability monitor

Windows 7 Reliability Monitor offers a solution. It demonstrates how well is your system by measuring the hardware and software performance of your computer. The tool calculates the stability index of your system and specifies results in the range from 1-10 and thus from the results, you can get an overview of the overall performance of your system.

This feature was present in Windows Vista by the name of Reliability and Performance monitor but it has been renamed and further enhanced in Windows 7.

You can access this feature by following these steps:

STEP 1. Go to Windows 7 Action Center by clicking the Action Center icon in the system tray and and then choose Open Action Center.

STEP 2. Expand the Maintenance category, and click the View reliability history option.

STEP 3. Windows 7 will generate the reports in a graphical format and will display the stability of your system in the form of a graph. From here, you will be able to get an idea about how well your system is performing.

Any failure will be marked down in the graph, which can provide the complete information. Hence, an easy way to know any abnormality in the system.

ReadyBoost: A way to speed up Windows 7

Microsoft has included an enhanced version of ReadyBoost on Windows 7, a new feature that speeds up your computer even in a low memory situation by using flash memory, in its latest operating system Windows 7, scheduled to be launched on October 22.

ReadyBoost, which also comes with Vista, make use of a USB flash drive or card as memory and it works with most of the flash storage devices.

In Windows 7, it can handle more flash memory and even multiple devices up to eight, for a maximum 256GB of additional memory. When you plug a ReadyBoost-compatible storage device into your system, the AutoPlay dialog box offers you the option to speed up your computer using ReadyBoost. If you select this option, you can choose how much memory on the device to use for this purpose.

When you set up a device to work with ReadyBoost, Windows shows you the space recommended for an optimal performance. For ReadyBoost to effectively speed up your computer, the flash drive or memory card should have at least 1GB of available space. If enough space is not available for ReadyBoost, you’ll see a message asking you to free some space on the device if you want to use it to speed up your system. You can enable or disable ReadyBoost for a specific flash drive or other removable storage device.

Follow the given guidelines to enable this feature in Windows 7 :

STEP1: Connect a flash drive or flash memory card into your computer.

STEP2: Click Speed up my system, in the Autoplay dialog box, under General options.

STEP3: In the Properties dialog box, click the ReadyBoost tab, and then do one of the following:

To turn ReadyBoost off, click Do not use this device.

To use the maximum available space on the flash drive or memory card for ReadyBoost, click Dedicate this device to ReadyBoost. Windows will leave any files already stored on the device, but it will use the rest to boost your system speed.

To use less than the maximum available space on the device for ReadyBoost, click Use this device, and then move the slider to choose the amount of available space on the device you want to use.

STEP4: Click OK.

Automate Administration with PowerShell

Windows PowerShell 2.0, a useful feature in Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 7, is a great boon to IT professionals yearning for a elevated management of  computers in enterprises.

PowerShell 2.0 is built on the Microsoft .Net Framework and is especially designed for system administration providing great help to IT professionals to automate the administration of Windows operating system. The command tools in Windows PowerShell, named cmdlets, allows you to manage computers in enterprise.

Microsoft latest Windows 7 version also helps you to access data stores and supports Windows Management Instrumentation classes. The tool is designed to easily permit the addition of new features. Your own cmdlets, providers, functions and scripts can be added which enables you to use Windows technologies such as Active Directory Domain Services, Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption, the DHCP Server service, Group policy, etc.

IT professionals and developers might be most interested in these improved features in Windows 7 as it helps them to manage Windows at the command line. Developers can also use it to build script language

In a nutshell, following are the changes included in Windows 7 PowerShell:

1. More than 100 new cmdlets are included in Windows PowerShell.

2. Interactive session can be created with single computer and as many as computer can be run with the single command. A session can be established with it which allows you to receive remote commands from multiple computers.

3. With Windows PowerShell background jobs, you can continue to work on your session as the commands run in the background. Background jobs can be run on a local as well as on the remote computer.

4. With debugger, you can debug functions and scripts. Breakpoint can be set and removed with it and you can also check the values of the variables.

5. Modules in Windows PowerShell allows you to function as independent entity. Module package containing your cmdlets, providers, scripts, functions and other files can be distributed to the other users.

6. It supports new event infrastructure and transaction.

7. The messages and text can be displayed to users in multiple languages, with script internalization.

8. For enhanced user experience, not only help at the command line but also new online parameters are included in Get-Help cmdlet which opens updated version of each help topic.

Troubleshooting Windows 7 Shutdown Problems

Making an improvement over Windows XP, Window 7 allows a user to get rid of system restarts.
A reflection on Windows 7 features will tell us that if the operating system Windows 7 fails due to driver error and your system restarts, you can follow these steps to resolve the issue.
Just click the "Start" button after selecting "Control Panel". After that, click "System and Security", and then "System". In the left pane, select "Advanced system settings". If the User Account Control dialog box appears, click "Yes". The "System Properties" multi-tabbed dialog box appears. Click the "Advanced" tab. Underneath "Startup and Recovery", click the "Settings" button. After that in Windows 7 the "Startup and Recovery" dialog box appears. Underneath "System failure", uncheck "Automatically restart". Click "OK" on the dialog boxes to close them.
Meanwhile, in Windows 7, you can also set Process Priorities to boost your system. You will have to determine which processes should get the most attention in your Windows 7 system.
If your main program or process running too slow on your Windows 7 version, you can raise the priority of it.
You can open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc together on keyboard. The multi-tabbed "Windows Task Manager" should appear. Make sure the "Applications" tab is selected. If the process you need to change is linked to an application, right-click it and choose "Go to Process" from the pop-up menu that appears.
Otherwise, click the "Processes tab" to find a process you need to change. Right-click a process and select "Set Priority". If you cannot find the process that needs its priority changed, click the "Show processes from all users" button. You may have to confirm your action via User Account Control.
From here you can select from the following possible priorities (highest to lowest): Realtime, High, Above Normal, Below Normal, Normal, and Low.

If you are sure you want to change the process priority, click the "Change priority" button when prompted.
You cannot change priorities permanently, next time you reboot your computer default priority will be there. Save all open files before trying this trick.

Make changes in Account Picture in windows 7

Microsoft’s Windows 7 release will be a boon for users as now they will be allowed to change the picture that appears on the Start Menu and Welcome screen in Windows 7.
While using Windows 7 you must have noticed a picture that appears when you click the Start menu or access the Welcome screen. A picture represents your account. You can replace this default picture with your favorite one.
You can follow these steps to perform this task. Click the Start button and then click on your account image to open the "User Accounts" Control Panel. When the "User Accounts" Control Panel opens, click "Change your picture" and then choose the one you like from the gallery and set as a default picture for your account.
After that you will have to click the "Change Picture" button, and then close the "User Accounts" Control Panel.
Taking up another issue, you can use setup to show the computer name on your Windows 7 taskbar.
You usually check computer name manually by right-clicking on My Computer and choosing Properties. But in Windows 7 release you can display it on Taskbar.
You just have to create a new folder in Document folder with the same name as your computer name. You can find your computer name by right-clicking on My Computer and choosing Properties. Right-click on an empty area in the taskbar and choose Toolbars, then click on New Toolbar. Now you want to browse to the location of the folder you just created. Choose that folder and click the Select Folder button.
Thats all. Now your computer name will appear on the Windows 7 taskbar.
Another Windows 7 update is that you can also get an effective package from Dr. Web CuireIt against all virus and spyware in Windows 7
When you update your system with Windows 7, then you need a comprehensive package because your existing antivirus will lose the compatibility.
Dr. Web comes with a most efficient Anti-Virus called Dr. Web CuireIt. Its extensive scanner and virus will scan the complete system even without installation. You can get it from the website link http://www.freedrweb.com, absolutely free. You can combine this package with Windows 7 install package. First, open the website with the above link. Press the button of "Download." Save the file on your desktop. Double click on the file and run the set up. Follow the prompt and at the end accept the Agreement form. Click on "Finish" after the process is complete.
You can run this program anytime, to scan your startup files and main memory. Depending upon the area you want to scan you can run this program under complete scan or custom scan. Press "Scanning" after selecting. After scanning the incurable files are moved to the quarantine directory.

Windows 7 Goes for a Faster Upgrade

After being criticized for what many users is described as a less-than-smooth upgrade to Windows Vista, the Microsoft team is working hard to ensure a smooth transition for your operating system Windows 7.

Windows ChartUpgrade performance matrix.

Enlarge this image

As part of the effort, Chris Hernandez, Microsoft recently published in the time that 7 must have to update multiple Windows users. Mr. Hernandez writes that "one of the key targets for Windows 7, in general, must be better than Vista" and that according to his evidence, "even in the most extreme case, upgrading to Windows 7 is significantly faster that the upgrade to Vista. "

Exactly how much faster? Mr. Hernandez goes on to say that the time needed to upgrade to Windows 7 "is faster or more within a 5% threshold when updating Vista Service Pack 1." In practical terms, this means that "clean, high hardware end "users must wait for the update times of 30 to 35 minutes, while" super users "- defined as those with mid-range high-end software - it may be necessary to set aside a maximum of 1,220 minutes for the windows 7 update.

Of course, the experience of updating each individual can - and probably - varies, but if you're interested in getting a reliable estimate, check out the chart above to track your time.

How To Get Windows 7 Help

There are just under 10 days to go until million users by end of a hot pack through the post that contains the Windows 7 pre-order, or will be deployed to your local electronics store to pick up a copy of Windows 7 on launch day.

Although Windows 7, in my opinion one of Microsoft's best of all programs, with many users running Windows 7 and with many different PC configurations, will not be many users out there who need help from Windows 7. If you are one of the users where to go? If not registered, then you should try the Windows 7 Forum.

Mozila Firefox 4 - Screens for Preview

Mozilla isn’t taking a rest as Firefox 3.5 goes gold as they have already posted mockup screens of Firefox 4 although it is stated the mockups are not in final stage, and one mockup does appear to hold a striking resemblance to Google’s Chrome.

New Firefox patches authentication security holes

Mozilla on Monday appear two new versions of Firefox, 3.5.2 and 3.0.13, to application two serious security holes. You can download the Windows and Mac versions of 3.5.2 from CNET Download.com, or go to Mozilla for the Linux body and Firefox 3.0.13.

"We strongly acclaim that all Firefox users upgrade to this latest release," Mozilla said in a blog announcement about the security issue.

The first vulnerability could let an attacker run approximate cipher on a person's computer by sending distinctively crafted authentication advice alleged certificate.

The additional vulnerability, appear last week, involves a flaw in certificate authentication technology that could potentially let an attacker gain access to encrypted advice or affair a artificial update to Firefox.

Mozilla Starts Preparing Developers for Firefox 3.6

Brace yourself for the vanishing menu bar because Mozilla has appeared an official feature list for Firefox 3.6 in the anatomy of adviser for programmers who charge to apperceive about the changes. The Firefox 3.6 developer guide mentions a capability to automatically hide the menu bar, a change that dovetails with sparer Firefox user interface designs that Mozilla has begun exploring for Firefox versions 3.7 and 4.0. That's important for constituent developers and others who use the card bar to ascendancy their add-ons. For those developing Web applications, there is a feature for adding sounds that can play in acknowledgment to specific events. That sounds advantageous for advice people of new e-mail, burning messages, or any amount of contest in Web applications that today accept agitation accepting your absorption as calmly as software active natively on the operating system. Mozilla also focusing to make another change that is the online Internet browser supply not just latitude and longitude coordinates but also user-friendly address terms such as street, city, and postal code. The addition of relocation features that is applicable for authenticated sites means it enable authorized Web sites, do that kind things like show your location and nearby shops on a map, is one of the important features in Firefox 3.5. Mozilla supposed to release Firefox 3.5 in June.

Mozilla Tops 1 Billion, Still Looks Up at Internet Explorer

Five years afterwards getting introduced to the Internet, Mozilla's accepted open-source Web browser Firefox has accomplished 1 billion downloads. But even admitting Firefox has added another digit to its tally, the open-source browser is still adverse a battle action against Microsoft's stalwart Internet Explorer. While tallying downloads is ability for Mozilla's Firefox, the question of market allotment still remains. The open-source product has been aggressive against Microsoft's Internet Explorer aback its birth and continues to play David to Internet Explorer's Goliath. According to market share numbers from Stat Counter, Mozilla is communicable up with Internet Explorer but still faces a continued alley before it surpasses Microsoft's browser. Stat Counter shows that from July 1, 2008, to Aug. 1, 2009, Internet Explorer remained on top of the Internet Browser market share abundance with 63.5 percent. Mozilla's Firefox is the closest to arduous Redmond's crown with 28.29 percent of the market. Rounding out the top 5 Web browsers are Opera at 2.93 percent, Safari at 2.75 percent and Chrome at 1.89 percent. The allure with Firefox's download amount was kicked into top accessory in June 2008, if Mozilla embarked on its Download Day business blitz. The ambition was to set a Guinness Apple Almanac for a lot of agenda downloads of a section of software in 24 hours. On Download Day, June 17, Firefox's plan was batty by server crashes acquired by the cutting amount of download requests. Mozilla was able to adjustment the problems and get its servers aback on track. And by June 26, Mozilla, through Spread Firefox.com, appear that its Internet Browser had been downloaded 20 million times. You can also have Internet Browser Support. Guinness on July 2 accepted that Mozilla had acquired the world record for better amount of software downloads in 24 hours, with the open-source Web Browser getting downloaded added than 8 million times on June 17.

Mozilla Plans Firefox 3.7 Interface Changes

It looks like the Mozilla Foundation wants to accomplish some cogent changes to the Firefox user interface in the 3.7 version. The Mozilla website has some antecedent mockups to alpha the altercation off a part of Firefox developers. Right now, they are assuming alone Windows changes, for both XP and Vista/Win7.

Simplification seems to be the adjustment of the day. There is fewer buttons on the left of the address bar, and buttons accept an abstracted and distinct look to them. The accomplished File/Edit/View/etc. bar is gone, replaced by a View drop-down box to the appropriate of the seek bar, with a button to accomplish the bookmarks bar appear. Far added of the window is "glass", which makes it accommodate bigger with Vista/Win7's OS elements like charlatan windows and such.

The changes to the XP adaptation are similar, admitting of advance after the bottle stuff. The capital aberration appears to be the Tools and Bookmark Bar buttons to the appropriate of the seek bar, which accept an altered architecture but apparently agnate functionality to that in the Vista/Win7 design.

The changes are looking acceptable to us. Removing the File/Edit/etc. bar, or at least hiding it away, makes sense. It increases the bulk of your Firefox window that is acclimated by the page itself, rather than the interface, which is one of the things I adulation about Chrome. It seems like use of the Home button has collapsed out of favor, so it makes faculty to get rid of that, too. Of course, this is a mockup of proposed changes to an adaptation 3.7, if 3.6 are not even out yet. So it may attend absolutely altered by the time this adaptation ships. What do you anticipate of the changes? Leave us your comments.