Disabling Your IE7 Command Bar

Posted on November 28th, 2008 in Internet Browsers by admin

If you use or have used IE7 you will have noticed that new bar at the top of the page, this is the command bar. The command bar comes with these menu choices;

  • Home
  • Feeds
  • Read mail
  • Print
  • Page
  • Tools
IE7 Command Bar

Some people do like this feature on IE7 and quite a few more have emailed me asking just how they can disable the command bar. Disabling the command bar in IE7 is fairly easy but it does require a registry edit so if you are unsure make sure you backup your registry before you attempt anything.

Disabling the IE7 Command Bar

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\CommandBar\

  • Create a DWORD called enabled
  • Set the value to 0
  • Done
  • Set the value to 1 if you want it back again

Add a URL Address Bar to Your Taskbar

Posted on November 25th, 2008 in General Issues by admin

Here is a cool tweak you can do to your PC so that an address bar will open up in your taskbar (the bar at the bottom of your screen), this means you can type a quick URL in your taskbar and the webpage will open.

Some people may find that it just clutters up their taskbar and is useless, while others may prefer to use it rather than using their browser. This tweak can be done in both Windows XP and Vista;

  • Right click on your taskbar
  • Click toolbars
  • Check address
  • Done
  • Type in a URL and the page will open up in your default browser
Add an Address Bar to Your Taskbar

Windows ClearType

Posted on November 18th, 2008 in System Settings by admin

ClearType is a feature on Windows operating systems that aims to improve the appearance of text on certain types of computer display screens, especially LCD flat panel monitors.

Essentially ClearType improves the smoothness and clarity of all your text, which should improve the overall experience on your PC. You should find that by default ClearType is set to on but if not here is how you can set it to on;

Windows XP

  • Right click on the desktop
  • Select Properties
  • Click on the Appearance tab
  • Click on the Effects button
  • Put a check on the Use the following methods to smooth edges of screen fonts
  • Change the value from standard to ClearType
  • Done

Windows Vista

  • Right click on your desktop
  • Click personalize
  • Click windows color and appearance
  • Select the effects button
  • In the drop down select ClearType
  • Click OK
Windows ClearType

Google Video Chat

Posted on November 12th, 2008 in New Tech Products by admin

Google is introducing new tools that will convert its free e-mail service into a video and audio channel for people who want to see and hear each other while they communicate.

Users will need to download and install a plug-in, and have access to a Webcam for video purposes. Google has partnered with Logitech and Buy.com to offer discounts of up to 30 percent on several cameras, as well as free shipping, until November 30.

Installation is easy and only takes a few seconds to download the plug-in. Once the browser is restarted, a “Video and more” menu will appear at the bottom of the Gmail page. Go to the menu and select “start video chat.” It will take a few moments for the video call to connect with your friend of co-worker.

Gmail Video and Voice will be made available to all Gmail users starting Tuesday at noon PST, the global rollout should be complete by the end of the day.

Obama Malware

Posted on November 6th, 2008 in Security Issues by admin

Once again hackers have taken advantage of a major event to try and spread their dangerous malware all over the web. The same day that Barack Obama won the US election several ‘Obama’ themed malware emails have spread their dangerous wings all over the web.

Most of the emails make you believe you are being linked to some form of election news or celebration site when in fact you probably are downloading a dangerous piece of malware.

A major one that is being spread online sends the user to this page with a ‘video’ of a new speech by Obama;

Obama Malware

The user is then prompted to open the video which in fact is not a new video but is a very dangerous trojan that will infect your PC.

If you do want to get new information on the election/Obama then never open anything from an email you are unsure of, just go to one of he major news websites and they will have all the information you need.

If you have downloaded a Obama trojan then you can use this Malware scan to find it and remove it – Click Here for a Malware Scan