Carputers News and Computer Tips

Here are two sets of picks for the best websites of 2009 - one from Time Magazine, and one from PC Magazine.  The latter also features a downloadable application that will add add all 100 sites to your IE Favorites (you can also export them to Firefox).

We’ll edit this post whenever more lists come out between now and the end of 2009.

Edit 10/30/2009:

techradar.com has a six page list entitled 95 Websites You Should Totally Bookmark Today that is worth a read.

Who says we don’t have a sense of humor? With a tip of the hat to XKCD…

Seriously, if we can be of assistance, contact us!  You’ll be glad you did!

Whether or not you like (or use) this browser, this is neat: 

We’ve used it since it first became available as a beta and like it a lot!  Here’s where you can download it and find more out about it.

Lee Mathews writes at Download Squad: 

Now, it’s not my intent that anyone actually follow this horrible, horrible advice. It’s just that so many people seem to think this type of behavior is perfectly normal computer use. 

So here it is: my 5-point method for turning your computer into a quivering pile of malware-infested, hacker-friendly trash. 

Though this is written tongue-in-cheek, it is good advice! 

Unfortunately, as is the case with most good advice, it is indeed a pity that the people who would benefit most from it also are the least likely to read and heed it…

We’ve posted several free games links in the past.  Here’s one more - WoobaGames…

Edit 12/23/2008:

AMOG features 95 Old School Games You Can Play Online.

Edit 01/09/2009

PC World’s Matt Peckham blogged about how to Download Dozens of Commercial PC Games Free.

Edit 02/10/2009:

ExtremeTech put together a list of The 20 Best Free PC Games.

There are ads currently running on Craigslist selling TV on PC software for $9.95.  Why pay for what you can get for free? 

JLC’s Internet TV is a FREE program for watching and browsing thousands of TV channels freely available on the internet. It’s probably the biggest and most up to date database of channels ever, and users are able to submit, rate and flag channels.

Here’s a screenshot: (click image below to open enlarged in a new tab or window)

You definitely will not get the same channels or shows that your cable/satellite provider gets, but it is free.  It is worth a look.  Many of the available channels are from all over the world. 

We would also recommend downloading and installing VLC Player and then setting JLC’s Internet TV to use it (rather than Windows Media Player) by default.  To do this, click on Options, Settings in the Menu Bar.  When the Settings window opens, click on the Media Player tab at the top: 

As shown in the graphic above, make sure there’s a checkmark in the box labeled “Use VLC to play ALL streams“.

Online help, including a “Get started tutorial” is available here. 

You can also see the same channels right in your internet browser here.

See also our post titled Watch TV via the Internet.

Nelson Doyle, on Webupon:

Delivering the best of the best free music on the Internet is what these Top 45 Music websites are best known for and now, they are presented to music lovers the world over as an easy reference guide to bookmark.

In addition, Mashable has compiled a list of 30+ awesome streaming music sites along with a list of 30+ sites for free, legal music downloads we know you’ll enjoy.

Regardless of your choice or taste, what would life be like without music?  Getting it free is the icing on the cake!

Edit 08/31/2008:

Lee Mathews from Download Squad offers up 35 Places To Download Free, Legal MP3s - Sorry, RIAA!

Edit 01/04/2009:

The makeuseof.com blog offers up their choices for The Best Sites To Download Free Music. 

Easter Eggs in computer-speak are hidden features in software.  They can also be found on movie DVDs as well.  Some examples can be found in this Lifehacker post, this PC World magazine article, and on two websites - eggheaven.com and eeggs.com.  Happy hunting!

Edit 04/04/2008:

The IT Security website has a great article entitled The 101 Coolest Easter Eggs Hidden in Your Software, DVDs and Video Games.      

Claus Valca’s Grand Stream Dreams blog has an excellent entry called Wallpaper Extravaganza which features a long list of sources for desktop wallpaper plus a couple of wallpaper management tools.  If you’re into desktop wallpaper and have been looking for some new sources we think you will be pleased with the choices listed. 

Edit 03/25/2008:

The PC Fastlane blog recently posted Top Free Desktop Wallpaper Sites.  From the unique and weird to the stunningly beautiful, wallpapers fit to please all can be found here.

Edit 05/19/2008:

Here are even more, courtesy of Smashing Magazine…

Apple makes it easy to copy music from your PC onto your computer using iTunes.  They’ve never made it easy to move your music OFF of your iPod (in the other direction).  Many iPod owners have lost computer hard drives full of music due to hard drive failure.  The following links will show how to “reclaim” your music off of your iPod should you ever need to.

The Wired Wiki has a good tutorial on this, as do our friends over at Lifehacker.  

Finally, why not use (or at least try) an alternative to iTunes that will make the process of managing your music collection easier?