How to create a Windows Shortcut

Shortcuts are program icons that are seen on the desktop for starting or executing a program. A shortcut icon is very descriptive in its color, size, and appearance, which distinguishes it from others and is specific to the program that run by clicking it. Shortcuts are useful when it can be located anywhere such as the desktop, quick launch bar, task bar, or any folder etc. to easily execute a program. For executing a program, you can either double click the icon or select the icon and push enter. So shortcut icons are helpful for running or executing an application in a Windows Computer. It becomes essential for one to know how to place a shortcut icon where you want it to execute your program.

There are 3 methods for placing a shortcut icon.

1. Create the shortcut on the Desktop:

Open 'My Computer' by double clicking it or select and press enter>Open 'C:' drive > Open 'Program Files' > Choose 'the program' that you want to create a shortcut icon and open it > Find and select the executable icon for that program and right click the icon > Click Send To > Click 'Desktop (create shortcut)'

This will create a short cut on the Desktop.

2. Create the shortcut in the same folder:
Open 'My Computer' by double clicking it or select and press enter>Open 'C:' drive > Open 'Program Files' > Choose 'the program' that you want to create a shortcut icon and open it > Find and select the executable icon for that program and right click the icon > Click 'Create Shortcut'

This will create a shortcut in the same folder where it resides. Cut the shortcut and paste it wherever you want it to run, like the Desktop, another folder, or drag it on to the task bar from the desktop.

3. Create the short on the Desktop using the Wizard:

Right click the Desktop > Click 'New' > Click 'Shortcut' > A Shortcut is placed on the Desktop with no icon and a 'Create Shortcut Wizard' appears > In the location space either type the 'Address' of your shortcut or browse the executable file icon from the Program Files that you want to run and select it, which will put the path of the program > Click 'Next' to continue > Type the 'Name' of the Shortcut in the space to type the name > Click Finish.

There you are, you have now created a Shortcut icon on the Desktop!

How to Use Bookmarks and Favorites for Saving Webpages

A webpage Bookmark is a locally saved web page or URI in a browser for later reference of that webpage. This is a useful tool in a web browser when it comes to surfing a lot of web pages and you find some useful pages that you might probably like to come back later for a visit. It is simple to bookmark a web page rather than noting it down in a piece of paper or a notepad. When using the bookmarks, you do not need to type the entire address of your favorite web page as it has been already saved and you only need to click your bookmarked web page.

All major browsers have a bookmarking facility for saving web pages. Different web browsers call it in different ways, in Mozilla Firefox it is called as Bookmarks, in Internet Explorer it is called as Favorites, Google Chrome call it as Bookmark manager, while Opera name it simply as Bookmarks and Apple Safari too call it as Bookmarks.

The bookmark window comes with a default list of bookmarks along with the browser. It contains all the important bookmarks that the browser company recommends for you. Other than that, it also contains options for the most visited bookmarks, recently bookmarked web pages, recent tags etc. The bookmark window has all the provision for organizing the web pages like adding new bookmarks, creating new folders, moving web pages from one folder to another and also it has all the editing functions like in any other application. The bookmarks can also be listed and sorted out by different tab indexes.

Another aspect of bookmark is that the bookmarked web pages can be grouped inside folders and sub folders precisely according to its topic. Bookmarks can also be exported into a file using an export option, which can later be loaded using an import option to bring it back as bookmarks in the Bookmarks Window. This is helpful when you are uninstalling your web browser and reinstalling it or even formatting your hard drive. Save your bookmarks safely in a suitable folder of your windows drive.

You can bookmark a web page by pressing Ctrl + D which is universal in almost all web browsers and select the folder you need the bookmark to be in. You can also alternatively use your mouse or keyboard to select the menu option for bookmarking a webpage.

Different browsers have different menu options for bookmarking a web page.

1. Internet Explorer:
Click on the menu 'Favorites' > click on the 'Add To Favorites' > it will open a 'Add Favorite' window. Select the folder by clicking the 'Create in' tab on that window > choose the folder to which you want to add the bookmark or add a new folder > Click OK
2. Mozilla Firefox:
Click on the menu 'Bookmarks' > click on 'Bookmark This Page' > it will open a small 'Page Bookmarked' popup window on the right side of the Address Bar > choose the folder to which you want to add the bookmark or add a new folder > Click OK
3. Google Chrome:
Click on the 'Bookmark Button' on the right side of the Address Bar > it will bring up a popup 'Bookmark Added' window > Select the folder to which you want your bookmark to be added or create a new folder > Click OK
4. Opera:
Click on the menu 'Bookmarks' > Click on 'Bookmark Page' > it will bring up a 'Add Bookmark' window > choose the folder to which you want to add the bookmark or add a new folder > Click OK
5. Apple Safari:
Click on the menu 'Bookmarks' > Click on 'Add Bookmark' > it will bring up a small Bookmark Window > choose the folder to which you want to add the bookmark or add a new folder > Click OK

Happy Bookmarking friends!

Password Tips for Security

Passwords are required for logging into your system, website, or an application. The logging credentials include a username and a password and both these needs to be secure enough for maintaining your account from theft or vulnerability from intruders. Strong usernames and passwords are essential for those who use the system and online services more frequently. Weak passwords increase your vulnerability to hackers and intruders and increase the chances of identity theft. Strong passwords are critical for computer and online security. A strong password is important in protecting your system and also helps you have a safe online interaction. The liability is serious when it is your company's security that is compromised which also includes your customer's. So password security is overall important both at the personal level and also for the company. One of the problems with passwords is that users forget them but that is not an excuse for using weak passwords.

Here are some steps that you can take to avoid common password pitfalls by avoiding weak passwords, creating strong passwords, and keeping it secure enough.

Avoid Weak Passwords:

1. Do not use personal information. You should never use personal information as a part of your password such as your first name, last name, login name, pet's name, child's birth date, names of family members, pets, or close acquaintances and other similar details in any form.

2. Do not use a password less than at least 8 characters long.

3. Do not use real words or dictionary words in any language. Today there are tools that are available to help attackers guess your password by trying every word in the dictionary and find your password. So it is not better you do not use real words for the password.

4. Do not use consecutive sequences, repetitive numbers, letters, or characters such as 12345678, AAAAAAAA, or %%%%%% etc.

5. Do not use words spelled forward or backward words, common misspellings, or abbreviations.

6. Do not use adjacent keyboard letters such as qwerty, yuiop, or asdfghjkl.

7. Do not use easily obtained information, such as your name, birthday, driver's license, passport number, address, license plate numbers, telephone numbers, credit card or ATM numbers, Social Security or Social Insurance numbers, email addresses, popular book titles, movie titles, phrases, or similar information.

8. Do not use the same password for logging in to different websites or applications.

Use Strong Passwords

1.Use a strong mnemonic pass phrase that is easy for you to remember that is without writing it down, but hard for others to guess. Try to remember a pass phrase that is a password created using various character types, which should also not be a word in the dictionary. Think of a sentence or a line from a song or poem that you like and create a password using the first letter from each word. For example, you can use 2 in place of ‘to,’ 4 in place of ‘for,’ and 0 in place of ‘o’, using an exclamation mark ! in place of ‘i’. Learn the key pattern used in the pass phrase for your password.

2. Mix different character types. You can make a password much more secure by mixing with a variety of different characters types. Make it a combination of upper case letters, lower case letters along with numbers, punctuation, and other symbols.

2. It should be at least eight characters long rather than a very short one.

3. Use a password that is quick to type, in case someone is peering over your shoulder in a public place but also not too weak.

5. Use very strong password in websites and applications that need extra security such as logging in banks, credit card companies etc.

Secure Your Passwords

1. Never write down passwords. Unfortunately, the most secure passwords are very hard to remember. If you must write it down, disguise it and keep it in a safe place.

2. Never share your password with anyone. Protect all passwords as you would you’re your credit card or your bank PIN number.

3. Never store passwords unencrypted on your computer. This is one of the means of getting your password stolen by hacking or online theft.

4. You should use a different password for each website or application that you are going to log in.

5. You should change your password at least every 30 to 60 days or so. Set an automatic reminder for yourself to change your passwords on your email, banking, and credit card websites about every three months.

6. Password management software can be used when managing a lot of passwords. These tools maintain a list of usernames and passwords in encrypted form. Some programs will automatically fill in the username and password information on sites and applications. Great care needs to be taken to protect access to your password database with a strong master password, access card, or USB key.

7. Beware of phishing scams that imitate an authorized website and ask for your password without you knowing that it is a fake one.

8. Never type your password when anyone is standing nearby.

What are web apps and the different types of it

A web application is an application on a server that is accessed over a network such as the Internet or an intranet. It is an application that uses a web and browser technologies to accomplish one or more tasks over a network, typically through a web browser as a client. Web applications are coded in a browser-supported language like JavaScript, HTML, and dependent on a common web browser to render the application executable. It can be run on most web browsers as it is cross browser compatible. It is convenient when it can be accessed through a browser platform. It is able to update itself and maintain web applications without distributing and installing software on many different client computers. An application can be as simple as a guest sign-in book on a website, password generator, link scanner to more complex such as email, online picture editor, documentation etc. Web applications can provide the same functionality as your system application and gain the benefit of working across multiple platforms. For example, a web application can act as a word processor, storing information and allowing you to download the document onto your personal hard drive.

Application-specific methods such as drawing on the screen, playing audio, and access to the keyboard and mouse are all possible using Java, JavaScript, HTML5, PHP, Flash, Silverlight, web services vs dedicated applications, and other technologies. A more familiar interface is created using all services combined together and general purpose techniques such as drag and drop are also implemented using these techniques. Both client-side and server-side scripting are used to add functionality especially to create an interactive experience. Web applications commonly use a combination of server-side script (ASP, PHP, etc) and client-side script (HTML, Javascript, etc.) to develop the application. The client-side script deals with the presentation of the information while the server-side script deals with all the hard stuff like storing and retrieving the information. Client-server technologies such as PHP and Ajax are used to bring about dynamic content to the web applications. Google Apps, Microsoft Office Live, and WebEx WebOffice are examples of the newest generation of web applications.

There are a great many types of online applications that are available which provides functionality such as message boards, language translator, online document editing, online photo editing, video editing, online file conversion, internet speed test, link shortener, language translator, password generator, online calculator, currency converter, online maps, online file hosting and sharing, website link checking, online file virus scanner, website analysis, contact management, online mindmapping, online lists, etc. to name a few.

What are web Gadgets or Widgets

Web gadgets are utility programs that are used for various application needs. These are smaller chunk of software programs that can be embedded and executed within a web page by the end user. It is also called as a web widget. Other terms used to describe web widgets include gadget, badge, module, webjit, capsule, snippet, mini and flake. It is a stand alone application that can be used in a website or blog where it provides dynamic applications for different purposes. It gives the latest information, calculations, and measurements on parameters such as the current date and time etc. The two of the major types of widget today are web widgets and desktop widgets. Web widgets are intended to use on web pages and have major impact in areas such as web page performance, SEO, etc. Desktop widgets however are embedded on local computers and do not impact SEO or webpage performance.

 

There are widgets used for purposes such as news, online tools, communication, fun and games, finance, sports, lifestyle, technology, and other stuff. The widgets that are used include on-screen devices such as clocks, calendars, currency counters, news feeds, world maps, domain checker, bandwidth speed test, IP locator, chat, visitor tracker, language translators, event countdowns, auction-tickers, stock market tickers, flight arrival information, daily weather etc. Widgets are typically created in DHTML, JavaScript, or Adobe Flash. Widgets come in many shapes, sizes, appearance, and applications.

The advantages of web widgets are:

1. Widgets are embedded in the website and so it does not needed to be downloaded and installed into the computer for its use.

2. It provides latest and dynamic contents for the user, which makes it valuable when it comes to clocks, calendar, whether, news etc.

3. It is easy and lightweight in its use, and provides accurate information.

4. There are a variety of widgets available for a wide range of applications that one can ever imagine.

5. It can be accessed via web anywhere you are whether it is at home, office, or while on a journey.

6. The host has the freedom to place the widget according to his personal preference.

7. Widgets are useful in blogs and websites for appeasing its readers and for the overall impact of the site.

The disadvantages of web widgets:

1. There is limitation in the input parameters and more complex calculations are not possible in a widget.

2. The host does not have the control on the content of the widget. The content or the functionality it provides can not be modified by the host.

3. Web widgets are dependent on the web for updating itself when it is dynamic, like news, weather etc.