Ray.MY: Tech, Web, Blogging Tips and PC Freewares stuffs

How To Backup IE8, Firefox, Flock, Chrome and Opera Browsers

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:45:45 +0000

If you have used any of the web browsers available today, you will find that a good browser backup tool is necessary to backup all the bookmarks, settings, plugins, and the various personalization done to the browser.

Backups are necessary to ensure that you won’t have to go through the lengthy process of reinstating the browsers settings and customizations in case of any system error that requires OS reinstallation. These backups also enables you to re-use the same browser settings and configurations on other computers system with a few clicks.

Personally I use Firefox and Chrome browsers the most, and I found the following free tools the best there is in performing the backup tasks:-

For Firefox/Flock

1. Mozbackup

MozBackup provides backup and restoration of your Firefox/Flock profiles (yes, even multiple profiles) which includes bookmarks, contacts, history, extensions, saved passwords, certificates, add-ons and etc. The main features are:

Supports other Mozilla-based application such as Thunderbird, Songbird, Netscape and even portable applications, such as a portable Firefox (which I use for testing purposes). You can find the list of supported platforms and applications on the software main page.
Password protect feature for your profile backup file (single .pcv file)
Comes in installable program or portable version which can be used in USB drive.
Ability to schedule automatic profile backup using Task Scheduler, see instruction here.

Download Install version | Portable version

2. FEBE Firefox plugin

Another great tool which I must mention is the FEBE (Firefox Environment Backup Extension) which is an add-on plugin for Firefox browser. Once installed, the plugin can be used to backup extensions, themes, bookmarks, preferences, passwords, cookies and profiles.

Main features includes:

Once click easy backup from the toolbar
Backup scheduling on daily, weekly, or monthly basis with reminder
Ability to backup other folders apart form Firefox folder
Backup your favorite plug-ins into a single .xpi file which can be used for installation
Time-stamped backup folders which can be easily managed
Ability to upload to Box.net account if you have one

Download the Firefox add-on.

For Chrome

The aptly named Google Chrome Backup tool is a single .exe file (<1MB) and features the ability to backup and restore the entire user data profile in Chrome/Chromium browser.

Some notable features:

Quick wizard backup features in less than 4 clicks.
Multiple profile backup and management
Password protect backup file
Backup compression rate selection
Tray icon for fast access

There is an unlock feature (costs USD4.60) which adds some additional bonus features, but in my opinion the current version is really good enough.

Download Google Chrome Backup

For Internet Explorer 8

Backrex Internet Explorer Backup is a backup and restore tool which backup favorites, history, proxy settings, fonts, dialup accounts, autocomplete passwords and cookies. It requires installation and supports IE6, IE7 and IE8 versions. The main features include simple to use wizard backup interface, scheduling capability and even saves auto complete passwords.

Download the Backrex Internet Explorer Backup setup program.

For Opera

The free tool, OperaFly, for backing up Opera browsers profile is very customizable with plenty of features which includes:

Supports the new Opera 10
Highly customizable with item selection to be backup
Extensive backup scheduling options
Ability to restore profiles from Gmail, FTP or HTTP

I found that the program does have plenty features but it would help a lot if there was some wizard to simplify the backup and restore process. There are still some known issues which you can read in the author’s website.

Download installer version | portable version.

For All Browsers – FavBackup

If you prefer a single program to backup all your browsers (IE, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, then FavBackup tool will be suitable as no-fuss browser backup program. FavBackup is a straightforward program with the common options to backup and restore, backup folder path selection (remember to create a separate folder for your different browsers) and the option to select what to backup.

The program is a standalone program and is easy to use.

Download the FavBackup program.

There you have it, the browser backup tools which I found to be extremely useful. What do you use?

Fatal Error When Upgrading to WordPress 2.8.2

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 13:32:00 +0000

If you are trying to upgrade to Wordpress 2.8.2 recently you may encounter the error below, which doesn’t indicate much except that it relates to some insufficient memory error.

Fatal error: Allowed memory size of 33554432 bytes exhausted (tried to allocate 2355395 bytes) in /public_html/wp-includes/http.php on line xx

If you searched around Google you may find remedial steps which includes either upgrading manually (downloading the .zip installation file and uploading via ftp) or by disabling all of the current used Wordpress plugin and then perform the upgrading. I was not keen on performing the upgrade via those two methods, so I did a search around and found the following steps which were much simpler and most importantly, works like a charm.

Here’s how to do the trick:

1. Connect and edit your Wordpress site’s wp-config.php file (you can use FTP program to connect to your Wordpress site, and go to the root installation folder, i.e. /public_html folder).

2. Add the following line below right after the opening php lines or comments:

define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '64M');

In example:

3. Save the wp-config.php and try upgrading again. The Wordpress upgrade should work this time.

Updates: Wordpress has updated to version 2.8.3, which is basically a security release that fixes some bug. So far the error did not happen to this version, so it is advisable to upgrade as soon as possible.

UbitMenu: Changes Office 2007 Menu Style Back to Office 2003 [Recommended]

Mon, 25 May 2009 02:17:04 +0000

I saw the review of the UbitMenu add-on for the Microsoft’s Office 2007 on FreewareGenius and thought, “Hey! This was just what I needed!”.

This small application add-on enables the drop down menu from the Office 2003 to be “added” into the current Office 2007 ribbon type menu, enabling me to use the back the Office 2003 menu style which I was more accustomed to.

The nice bit here is that the add-on is merely that, it only adds a “menu” tab within the ribbon menu, so you can still use the new ribbon menu style whenever you like.

The add-on works on Word, Excel and Powerpoint, only 360KB in size and does not add significant memory usage at all. Oh, and its free (for non-commercial use).

Download .exe format | .zip format

PStart: Portable Apps Launcher [Recommended]

Giveaway of The Day : Free Licensed Software and Games For The Day

Mon, 25 May 2009 02:16:45 +0000

Giveaway Of The Day

Games Giveaway Of The Day

As the name suggests, both the sites offers provides licensed software and games as free downloads daily. Each software/game of the day comes with a time ticker (24 hours) where you have to download and activate the application before the end of each day (in US hours).

What I like is that the software/games offered is presented with full functionality and without any limitations (according to the software’s own T & C). You do not have to worry about virus/adwares/spywares as the site authors ensures the programs are free from these threats.

There is usually some review on the software/games for the day, and you can also read the comments from the users before downloading them to try. I suggests to add both the websites to your RSS feeds so that you can easily see the new software/games being offered everyday.

Click on the pictures above for the links.

Wordpress Plugin: WPTouch optimizes your website for iPhone

PStart: Portable Apps Launcher [Recommended]

Mon, 25 May 2009 02:04:36 +0000

The PStart application from PegTop is a portable application launcher that launches portable application through a menu system. As I use a lot of portable applications on my USB flash memory disk, I found it a hassle to launch each application using shortcuts and it gets real messy too with so many shortcut icon. I was quite impressed with this freeware application and wasted no time in installing and using on all my USB flash memory disks. The PStart portable application launcher can be installed either as a standalone portable app or locally on your PC, and when not in use it can be minimized to the tray icon.

Some of the notable features:

Grouping portable applications into categories
Uses relative paths (in portable mode), this means the application can be started even when the drive letter changes
Ability to scan and auto add all the portable apps stored on the flash disk
Built-in search function to locate all portable apps on local and USB drive
Allows you to write little notes which you can set reminders and notifications
Highly configurable settings page which let users define their own preferences
Can be set to run to run automatically when flash disk inserted into the computer

I have found another usage where I can copy and carry all the useful application installer (non-portable apps) in my USB flash disk and adding those installer to the PStart menu. This way, I can organize and install all the applications from one location instead of locating each executable file. IT support people should find this real handy when performing those ‘Windows re-installation’ procedure. Recommended freeware with no advertisement. Click here to go to the download page.

Online Guide to Pick the Best Airplane Seat

Mon, 25 May 2009 02:03:57 +0000

Sometimes when I am flying to a destination in an airplane I usually like to pick a ‘good’ and comfortable seat (i.e. window seat or away from the aisle/lavatory room) during the seat selection menu while booking. As there are may airliners and types of air crafts available so does the seating arrangement varies from one aircraft to another. I have found SeatGuru particularly useful in providing information on the best seats in an airplane based on the airlines company and its airplane model. In the website you can find useful information such as the seating details, in-flight amenities, seating recommendations based on your aircraft type. Hovering your mouse over the selected seats will show you the seating details, as well as the review for the seat selected. I think this is a useful seating guide, especially if you are on a long flight and would like to get comfortable seat. Another alternative website which provides a simpler guide is the SeatExpert whichtakes you to the information you need in 3 simple steps.

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Seagate Barracuda 500GB – Close Call (Hopefully)

Mon, 25 May 2009 02:03:06 +0000

Recently I have bought another 3.5inch hard disk, Seagate Barracuda 500GB to be used as an external drive. Somehow when I got back home I remembered the Seagate hard disk errors which renders the whole disk useless due to its firmware issue. Panicking, I quickly checked my new hard disk serial number against the affected hardware list here and luckily it was not affected. Phew.

Apparently the disk which I bought is the 12th generation disk drives, while the issues seems to affect only the drives from the 11th generation, indicated as 7200.11 drives. The affected drives range from the DiamondMax 22, the Barracuda ES.2 SATA and the SV35 models (160GB to 1.5TB) manufactured mostly from December 2008.

If you have bought any Seagate 11th generation hard disk last year, you may want to check the affected disk list, or download the Seagate SEATOOLS or this link here (Seagate + other disk manufacturer’s tools) which provides diagnostics tools for the disks.

Also, if your disk is affected you will need to contact Seagate and click on “Warranty”. This will gives you a list of contactable customer support centers depending on your location. You may also want to get updates on the issue through the Seagate’s own forum.

Hopefully (touch wood), this new disk will be better than its previous generation, as it would be troublesome to lose all those data.

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Generatus Helps Generate Your Social Networking Status

Mon, 25 May 2009 02:01:57 +0000

Looks like it is bound to happen. The Generatus website helps you to generate a creative one-liner online status message that you can use on your networking sites. Tagged “Ideal for the imaginatively challenged” the site generates some witty/funny/original? message after you enter your name, gender and tag filter.

Good for a laugh or two.

[via TweetCrunch]

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New LG Q KS360 QWERTY Phone

Raymond — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 03:53:20 +0000

I was reading the newspaper when the advertisement for the new LG Q KS360 QWERTY keyboard phone caught my eye. The design and the featured slide QWERTY keyboard really looks good to me. The key feature seems to focus on the QWERTY keyboard which enables faster texting and IM-like SMS thread (hence the “Q” name which represents the bubble text/speech box) which I think will be a hit with the young and hip crowds and the young executives.

A quick search on the Internet reveals the specification and some really positive reviews and opinions on this phone. Here’s a quick rundown on the vital specifications:

2.4 Inch TFT 262k Colour Screen (240 x 320 Pixels) with TouchScreen dialling
Tri Band Technology (GSM 900, GSM 1800 & GSM 1900)
Weight:108 g measuring 101.5 x 51 x 16.8 mm
Full QWERTY keyboard
15 MB shared memory, expandable memory supported – microSD (TransFlash) up to 4GB
MP3 Ringtones,Polyphonic Ringtones (64 Voices)
Data connectivity: GPRS, EDGE, Bluetooth (2.0), USB
MP3 Ringtones,Polyphonic Ringtones (64 Voices)
Music Player supports (MP3, AAC, AAC+ & eAAC+)
Camera: 2 MP, 1600×1200 pixels, video (fixed focus, no flash though)
Talktime: 5hours, a whopping 440 Hours Standby Time
Available colors – Black and red, Black and silver, White and soft pink, Titanium and bright blue

View the phone in 360° here.

Another selling factor is probably the the RRP for the phone which is only RM699 (which means that the street price is probably lower) making the phone a value and affordable buy.

LG Q KS Website (Malaysia)

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SimplyNoise helps you drown out, um, noise.

Raymond — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 05:23:24 +0000

According to Wikipedia, white noise is a random signal (or process) with a flat power spectral density. Basically it’s what you hear when the tv has is not receiving any transmission or the empty static noise between the radio station frequencies.

The folks at SimplyNoise came out with the idea of providing these white noises in a continuous from, which is supposedly to aid in sleeping, soothes migraines, enhance concentration and mask tinnitus (ringing in the ears), among others. Some other functional uses incluses drowning out irritating noises around you (like noisy neighbors) or if you just needed some noise in the background while working without being distracted by music or words.

At the site, you can adjust the volume of the noises according to your level of comfort (I found Level 6 is soothing), categorized in white, pink and brown noises.

You can even download the noise files either in .wma format (Windows Media Player format) or .mp4 format (for use on Ipod). The site also offers a thunderstorm background noise if you like the sound of a distant thunderstorm.

I was listening to the white noise while writing this post and somehow, to my supris, I do find it easier to focus on what I am thinking. Do check it out and let me know if it works for you too.

Download the Noise and SoundScape Thunderstorm here.

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