Finding software to download on many software download websites is about as much fun as searching for a needle in a haystack. There are normally hundreds of applications listed in each category, including some which have not been updated in several years. Then there is the possibility of downloading programs that have spyware embedded in them. For years I would frequently research the best free programs available, maintain a “best free software” list, and check each company’s website every month or so for updates.

Then I discovered FileHippo.

What is FileHippo?

FileHippo is a website that provides a simple way to download the best free software. Their site contains a limited number of categories and a limited number of programs in each category. FileHippo’s focus is to provide you with quality software. The site is consistently updated with the newest version of each program, but older versions are also available for download. This is useful for those occasions when a new version of a program has a lot of bugs and you want to go back to the previous version.

Another useful feature is the most popular downloads section. This section lists the top 10 most popular downloads on FileHippo. Ideally these programs are most likely the best in their respective categories. Who would have ever guessed that downloading software could be easier than choosing a combo at <insert your favorite fast food restaurant here>?

But you are possibly forgetting the most important thing you should do with your new computer. Whether your computer is running Windows, OS X, or Linux, you should install any critical updates.

These updates will help to protect your computer from the bad guys lurking on the internet, add improved functionality, and fix any known flaws. Before installing any updates you will need to connect your computer to the internet. Installing the updates are straightforward and we think mandatory.

How To Install Updates On Windows

To install updates on Windows open Internet Explorer and go to http://www.windowsupdate.com. The website will walk you through the necessary steps to update your computer.

How To Install Updates On Mac

Click the Apple icon in the upper left-hand corner of the screen. Then click Software Update.

The client’s business has been open for more than a year and not having their business listed has most likely caused them lost revenue. Marketing your business on the internet involves more than creating a website and hoping people find it. Adding your business to Google is just one way to increase the amount of exposure you receive. How much does it cost? Nothing! As with many products offered by Google, it is FREE.

Link: Add Your Business To Google

Security

There are many malicious websites on the internet that attempt to do things such as install hidden software on your computer or steal your passwords. While Microsoft still provides security updates to IE6, they have created Internet Explorer 7 to help better protect against such threats.

Improved Web Browsing

Internet Explorer 6 sucks as a web browser. There are web standards that all good web designers use when creating web pages and IE6 does not acknowledge many of them. Internet Explorer 7 does a much better job and it makes the life of your web designer that much easier.

Many websites that you view in Internet Explorer 6 look OK because good web designers implement “hacks” in their attempt to keep you happy.

Limited Support

Due to the release of Windows Vista and Internet Explorer 7, Microsoft will eventually stop supporting Internet Explorer 6. They are currently working on Internet Explorer 8. Also, many web designers are no longer implementing their “hacks” to keep you happy. Eventually the websites you visit in IE6 will start to look really ugly.

Upgrade Your Browser Today

What are you waiting for? Help to make the internet a better place (and to keep web designers from pulling their hair out) by upgrading your web browser today!

Get Internet Exlplorer 7 (or be daring and download IE8)

Portability

The main reason for choosing a laptop over a desktop is portability. If you are a person that travels frequently or enjoys the idea of being mobile then you will definitely want a laptop. With the increasing number of wireless hotspots in major cities, you can take your laptop almost anywhere and remain connected. If you only need email when away from your computer, you might consider getting a desktop and using a BlackBerry, iPhone, Treo, or other PDA type phone for your email.

Performance

Laptops cannot match desktop performance for intensive applications such as graphics and video editing, or 3D modeling. Most individuals and small businesses check their email, browse the web, and run office applications such as a word processor. You should be fine with either a desktop or laptop performance wise.

Upgrades

The one downside to laptops is their limited upgrade potential. With desktop computers you can install new network cards, upgrade to much faster hard drives, and install other specialized peripherals that you cannot with laptops. While the potential exists to upgrade components on a desktop computer many do not outside of the hard drive and the RAM.

Our Thoughts

The main reason to buy a laptop is portability even if you only travel with it a few times a year. Otherwise purchase a desktop as you will get more bang for your buck.

As much as individuals argue that one is better than the other, it all depends on your needs, your budget, and your business.

Price

Macs cost more than PC’s. The physical hardware will cost more, the peripherals tend to cost more, and so does the software. PC’s that are equivalent in processor, RAM, and hard drive storage will almost always cost less than Macs. Outside of hardware, you must take software price into consideration as well. Unfortunately there are not many good open source alternatives to commercial software for the Mac. This means you will most likely end up spending more on software with a Mac than you will with a PC. PC’s (running Windows) have many free programs that work just as well as programs that you buy and with as many features.

Ease Of Use

Using both a Mac and PC on a daily basis I find the Mac is so much easier to use. If you have never used a Mac it will take a little time to adjust, but afterwards you will love how simple it is to do many things compared to a PC. For example, installing an application requires you to drag the application to your Application folder. No more running setup.exe and clicking Next, Next, Next… Uninstalling software for the most part is just as simple as deleting the application.

Software

As mentioned above software for the Mac tends to cost more and there are not many free alternatives as with PC’s. The other issue is that many applications needed to run your business will only support Windows. Also companies that you may outsource tasks to, such as billing or accounting, will most likely want you to use Windows as well. Be sure to research the software options available to you for your business and what other companies will support if outsourcing tasks.

Peripherals

Printers, scanners, portable hard drives, keyboards, mice, etc - whatever device you need, you can find it for a PC. The same peripherals exist for Macs, but not all of them are compatible. If choosing a Mac, with each device that you purchase you must make sure that it specifically states it is Mac compatible. While some devices will work even if this is not stated, you will be better off not taking chances.

Support

Die-hard Mac fans will tell you that Macs do not need support. Unless you are a techie you will need support at one point or another. There are a plethora of support options for PC’s that range from small businesses and independent consultants to major corporations. The problem lies in the fact that many PC support professionals are nothing more than power users. They know more than your average user, but have difficulty in resolving complex problems. This can lead to disastrous results which could have possibly been avoided. I really cannot comment on the Mac side of things, except for the fact that there are not as many support options readily available.

Integration

As mobile technology advances more individuals want their devices to seamlessly integrate. Contacts, tasks, memos, and email should be readily available on the computer and phone. While BlackBerry’s have provided this functionality for quite some time on PC’s, the recent release of the 3G iPhone makes the decision for some a little more difficult. The iPhone integrates seamlessly with Macs, the web browser is really good, and programmers are creating great applications that make you more productive and keep you connected in this world of unlimited information.

Conclusion

Hopefully this article has given you insight into some of the things you should think about when deciding on a Mac vs PC. As you can see, the answer is not as simple as many think, and there are several factors to consider. Some of this may change over the next year or so as many individuals continue to switch to Macs. We will back next week and help you decide on whether you should purchase a desktop or laptop.

1. What is your budget?
2. Do you want a Mac or PC?
3. Do you want a desktop or laptop?

What Is Your Budget?

Your budget, as with most things in life, will probably be the most limiting factor in your purchase. As a small business one of the few things you should skimp on is your technology budget. It is amazing to see how many companies rent office space in a high-end area of town, buy lavish furniture, and then buy their computers from the flea market. While the savings may seem great initially you will end up paying for it down the road in support costs.

If you are purchasing a laptop at the minimum we recommend a budget of $750 and if you are purchasing a desktop, we recommend a minimum of $500. These budgets are not set in stone and we understand that some businesses will need to spend less depending on their situation.

Once you have figured out your budget it is time to determine whether you will buy a Mac or PC. This is one of those neverending debates and the recent release of the iPhone 3G makes the decision a little more difficult. Stay tuned for Part II next week when we discuss the pros and cons of each.

Trimming my email inbox from 2200 messages to 300 proved otherwise. Many of the messages should have been deleted the first time around.

What I Discovered

A few days later I discovered this post on 43 Folders comparing the way individuals organize email to hoarding peanut shells by month or location around the house. The post sparked a thought about the way I treat snail mail vs email. Snail mail that is not important gets tossed in the trash immediately, many times without even opening. If it requires action or a response normally it is processed right away and mailed the following morning. And if the mail is deemed to be important, such as IRS important, away it goes to the file cabinet.

Now if I filed every piece of mail in my file cabinet, before long it would be overflowing with mail like my personal email account. While an overflowing inbox is not as easy to visualize, it is very unproductive and time consuming. Before cleaning out my inbox I would end up reading some of my messages three to four times before they “disappeared” from my screen. Also, since cleaning my inbox I have discovered that I do not check my email as often. The ever increasing amount of emails made me feel as if I had to check my email more frequently to process the “new messsages” I was receiving.

If you are spending a lot of time in your mailbox, it is probably overflowing and could use a little house cleaning.