How to Choose the Best Web Browser For Your Personality
Internet Explorer (Stern, conservative user): Once Netscape met its downfall, Internet Explorer was the only player on the block. As do most things that have hegemonic power, Internet Explorer became conservative in its offerings and frankly fell behind a bit. While it is useful for opening anything imaginable, it is slow, broody, uneventful. It is an old institution that is useful only because of its power, market share, and eternal image.
Firefox (Serious, inquisitive user): Firefox erupted onto the market as the only viable alternative to IE. To compete with IE, it had to implement new ideas, a few of which became standards throughout the industry. Anyone in business who does not use IE, uses Firefox for their browsing (including myself). It is a serious browser, but one that has always been cutting-edge.
Opera (Experimental, adaptable browser): Opera, like those crazy fish at the bottom of the ocean that look like ghouls, always attracts attention for its alternative ways. They dominate on mobile devices, netbooks, and nettops, while failing to attract business users. Opera seems like it can be sustained anywhere, be used anywhere, but it still hasn't really got on the radar. This browser, I have to say, worked great on my Eee PC 700 Linux-version. It was twice as fast as Firefox.
Chrome (Young, electrifying browser): Chrome is the browser I've been using at home for the past couple of weeks. I'm impressed by its speed and cool features like using the URL box for you Google search and Incognito mode (security mode). It has a long way to go, but I'm convinced that it will usher in the next big Internet thing: full-fledged applications run out of the browser. Chrome, in its youthful vigor, would be the best at doing this.
FireFox Tips & Tricks : Advance Users
You can add keywords to your bookmarks for easier and faster access. From the Library, just add a short keyword in the keyword field, and you’ll be able to access that bookmark by simply typing that keyword into the address bar. For example, you could give your del.icio.us account the “links” keyword, and from then on simply typing “links” into the address bar will take you right there.
Create Smart Folders
If you’re an advanced Web surfer who frequently needs to save and track a variety of specific sites, here’s a useful time-saver: using Firefox 3’s Library, you can create and save searches into folders that are then automatically updated as you add sites to your bookmarks and history.
First, open the Library by selecting the “Organize Bookmarks” option from the Bookmarks menu. Then, enter your search terms in the search box. Then click the Save button to create a Smart Folder.
Manage Your Downloads
If you’re a frequent downloader, you can use the download manager window to keep track of all your downloads. You can pause and resume downloads, and save yourself time by opening files directly from the manager.
If you need to track down a past download, go to Tools → Downloads and use the search box to find your file. Once you’ve found it, double-click on the file to open it, or right-click and choose “Copy Download Link”.
Discover Developer Tools
If you’re a Web developer, Firefox’s developer tools will make your life easier. The Mozilla Add-ons site offers many tools to streamline the development process, including Firebug to edit, debug, and monitor CSS, HTML, and JavaScript live in any Web page, Tamper Data to view and modify HTTP/HTTPS headers and POST parameters, and the DOM Inspector to examine any HTML or CSS element with a simple right click.
Set the Web Up Just Like You Like It
Now you can use Web-based protocol handlers to provide quick access to your favorite Web applications. For example, you can set Firefox up so clicking on a mailto: link on any site will open a new message in your preferred webmail provider rather than your computer’s default mail program (note: this feature is only available with webmail services that have registered with Firefox 3).
Go to Tools → Options → Applications to select the default application for each protocol or to select “Always Ask” if you prefer to choose the application yourself every time.
If you’re a Web app developer, check out more about how to add support for Web-based protocol handlers in the Mozilla Developer Center.
best way to back up and restore Firefox bookmarks and settings
While there isn't a clear way, there is a reasonably easy one. You just have to know how. The trick is to back up one particular folder. I can't tell you the name of that folder, because the name is different on your computer than on mine, but I can tell you how to find it:
First, close Firefox. Doing this while the browser is running will be disastrous.
Once it's closed, select Start, then Run, type (with the percentage signs) and press Navigate the resulting Windows Explorer window to (in other words, open the Mozilla folder inside your current location, then the Firefox folder inside that, and so on).
Now that you're in the Profiles folder, you'll see another folder with a random name and the extension .default--something like 4hw0enat.default. That's what you have to back up--that folder and all the files and folders inside it. Copy it to a safe location.
Here's how to restore it after you've bought a new PC or reinstalled Windows:
First, you'll have to install, run, and close Firefox on your new or newly setup PC. Then use the instructions above to find your new Firefox installation Profiles folder. Copy your old .default folder from the backup into that new Profiles folder.
You'll now have two .default folders in Profiles. With the one you just copied selected, press to rename it, to copy the name, then to not rename it, after all.
Move up the folder tree to the containing folder, which is called Firefox. Double-click the profiles.ini (Configuration Settings) file to open it in Notepad.
The last line of this file begins with Path=Profiles/. Select the rest of that line (everything to the right of the slash), and press to insert the name of your restored folder. Save the file, then open Firefox and everything should come up the way you want it.
Source: washingtonpost.com
Mozilla Shuts Firefox e-store After Security Breach
Mozilla temporary closed its online e-store late Tuesday after getting out that the firm it hired to run the backend operations of the company's e-tailing business had suffered a security breach.
It was cryptic whether the vendor, St. Louis-based GatewayCDI, which bills itself as a "promotional articles benefactor and allurement company," notified Mozilla or whether the browser maker found out about the breach some other way.
"Today, Mozilla apparent that GatewayCDI, the third-party bell-ringer entrusted to run the backend of the Mozilla Store, suffered a security breach," Mozilla said in a warning on its Web site. "Once notified, we took the actual preventive step of shutting down the Mozilla store to ensure that no added users could be compromised."
Mozilla as well took the all-embracing copy of its e-store offline as a precaution, although that accomplishment is maintained by an abstracted partner.
Late Tuesday, both store displayed letters that they were "closed for maintenance;" neither message, however, spelled out the reason.
The store advertise promotional items, such as T-shirts, backpacks, coffee mugs and abrasion pads emblazoned with aggregation logos, as able-bodied as the Firefox browser on CD.
Mozilla's advertisement did not detail the extent of the breach, what advice hackers ability accept accessed or stolen, or how the aperture happened. GatewayCDI was not accessible late Tuesday, and there was no notice on its site that it had sustained a breach.
According to Mozilla, its online store may be shuttered for some time. "The store will alone be reinstated already we accept a satisfactory affirmation of advancing login security and data privacy," the company said.
This situation was the first for Mozilla, an open-source developer that prides itself on its operational transparency.
Firefox 3.5.2 and 3.0.13 Security Updates Ready for Download
The latest offerings are accordant with Mac, Windows and Linux systems and can be downloaded chargeless of charge. Mozilla encourages the users of its Firefox browser to advancement their systems with the new releases.
For users who already acquire Firefox 3.5 or Firefox 3, will accept a update notification automatically. This will probably take place within a couple of day’s time. They can as well manually administer the updates by beat on ‘Check for Updates’ which is located in the Help menu.
The users of Firefox 3.0.x are as well recommended to advancement their browser to Firefox 3.5.2. They can do this by downloading the advancement from the Firefox website. They can as well do so by going to the Help menu and ‘Check for Updates’.
Mozilla Squashes Critical Bugs in Firefox
The vulnerability meant Firefox could be tricked by rogue certificates, a potentially dangerous alarming that could permit attackers to create convincing-looking forgeries of websites used for banking, email and other added sensitive services. The address works by abacus a simple absent cord appearance to several affidavit fields and was apart appear at the Black Hat aegis appointment by advisers Moxie Marlinspike and Dan Kaminsky.
"We strongly recommend that all Firefox users upgrade to this latest release," a statement on Mozilla's website read.
The SSL vulnerability permitted Marlinspike to actualize what he called accepted wildcard certificate that acquired Firefox to authenticate every domain name on the internet. He did so by applying for a accustomed certificate for his website thoughtcrime.org. In the commonName acreage he listed the website as *\0.thoughtcrime.org, causing the browser to accept the certificate was universally valid.
The vulnerability was repaired in version 3.5 of the browser, according to this archive of security advisories. Curiously, the archive shows the aforementioned aperture getting acquainted in adaptation 3.52, which was appearing Monday. Separate security advisories for 3.0 appearances it was as well fixed in version 3.0.13.
Mozilla said three of its added products - Thunderbird, SeaMonkey and NSS - are accessible to the aforementioned attack. Presumably, fixes for those applications will be forthcoming.
The application brings the latest version of Firefox to 3.5.2. For those who are unable to advancement to version 3.5 of the internet browser installation, the open-source accouterments issued a application that brings the earlier version to 3.0.13. The vulnerabilities administer to the Windows, Mac and Linux platforms.
It is the second time in 18 days that Mozilla has anchored serious bugs in its flagship web browser. Two weeks ago, the foundation rushed out an application to adjustment a javascript-based memory corruption bug that was already getting targeted in the wild.
Marlinspike said a lot of internet client-side software that implements SSL are accessible to the null-string bug, so we had expect this to be the aboriginal of abounding patches acclimation that vulnerability.
In News: iYogi Re-Defines Technical Support – BizTech2.com
As far as Enterprise and SME customers are concerned, which verticals are you focusing on?
Our focus will mostly be on small companies with around five to 100 users and also firms that have multiple small branch offices like travel agencies, retail stores etc.
What kind of support services do you provide to your customers? What is the Green PC service?
iYogi provides the next generation of remote computer support services for consumers and businesses. For consumers, our live 24/7 support extends to technologies we use everyday, including hardware, software applications, devices, peripherals and networking equipment. iYogi also offers a full range of business IT solutions including managed monitoring, managed services, set-up and installation services, and incident-based services.
Green PC Service
With the current state of the global climate and increasing dependency on the computer, iYogi helps PC users reduce their carbon footprint and save money at the same time. iYogi’s Green PC service is the first in the independent computer support industry to offer customers a way to save money, conserve energy and protect the environment by optimising their PC’s efficiency. Consumers and businesses can save up to $200 per year, per desktop, in energy costs with iYogi’s Green PC application. This green application makes the computer environmentally friendly by reducing power consumption by almost 50 percent.
Our Green PC dashboard helps customise power settings and calculate power savings in kWh (kilowatt hour). The Green PC dashboard also gives a status on the reduction of CO2 and how responsible usage will benefit the environment by saving trees. A customised service that increases the energy efficiency of computers, undertakes the below-mentioned three primary initiatives:
- Computer assessment, analysing settings and PC energy use
- Customised efficiency planning geared specifically to the individual’s usage patterns
- Implementing setting changes to maximise the computer’s energy use
What are the technologies that allow you to offer 24/7 support and ensure there is no downtime at the client site?
We have invested significantly in developing a comprehensive monitoring and management tools stack. This enables us to manage and monitor all devices in the office network as well as for branch offices and mobile users. Our tools continuously monitor the customer’s network and notify our NOC (Network Operations Centre) in case of problems. Based on the set of events, tickets are automatically generated and escalated to corresponding teams. Over and above our proactive approach, the customer always has an option to call our 24X7 support line for issues that are not identified via the monitoring tools.
Please throw some light on your proprietary iMantra technology.
iMantra is a CRM system, which is tailor-made to suit the emerging business needs at iYogi. It allows for the formation of individualised customer relationships with the aim of providing personalised services to each subscriber. This tool is built on the latest java technology with a layered architecture that makes it scalable and secure. This architecture provides a seamless workflow and independent channels for various business needs: sales, support, quality and customer service. The entire system can be exposed in the form of secure APIs and Web services, which makes it a re-usable entity.
Your business model is similar to BPOs in India providing technical support to offshore customers. What unique values do you bring to this ecosystem that would help a potential client choose you over a competitor?
iYogi’s business model is different from traditional BPOs. Some key factors that differentiate iYogi include:
- Direct-to-consumer and -small business: iYogi delivers technical support services directly to consumers and small businesses and is a global technical support brand based out of India. Unlike traditional BPOs in India, iYogi does not provide any private label support and/ or work on behalf of large OEMs or software publishers.
- Optmised Processes: iYogi has developed proprietary processes for consistently delivering on a resolution rate of 87 percent, which is among the highest published benchmarks in the support industry, where averages hover in the range of 50 percent.
- Comprehensive technology platform: iYogi’s global delivery platform, iMantra, gets smarter with every customer interaction. It documents every problem, the solution and relevant hardware and software aspects, while capturing each customer’s demographic information and creating a behavioural profile. All of this information is at the fingertips of iYogi’s Global Tech Experts. This set-up combines a knowledge base with a comprehensive set of tools and technology expertise. iYogi offers a range of tools that complement its remote support services for helping customers maintain technology at peak performance levels. iYogi’s products include iYogi Smart PC Scan, iYogi Support Dock, iYogi Green PC and iYogi PC Optimization.
How do you plan to move up the value chain in the times to come?
The growing use and penetration of the Internet and new Web-based applications has consequently opened the door to threats and vulnerabilities, which affect the system performance and ultimately lead to degrading performance. If the threats are diagnosed early on, the impact on efficiency can be minimised considerably. Currently, a user only realizes that he needs technical support once the damage has occurred and reactive methods of support are used to recover from the loss.
At iYogi, we are developing our capabilities to not only provide support when demanded, but to also monitor, pre-empt and fix threats before they can cause any damage to the computer. This will be possible only by combining technology with processes that are capable of re-defining the way technical support is delivered today.
What is your India strategy?
Technically, we are capable of servicing any geography including India. At this stage, we are looking for the right kind of partners to find access to potential customers and provide them a consolidated, 360-degree solution and services for issues relating to hardware, software, network etc. We aim to launch our India services in the coming six to eight months. Our services will offer clients a one-stop solution for all their business needs.
Source : BizTech2.com