My own computer

[Tyrael]

So unless I don't f*ck anything up, I will be getting a Toshiba Laptop (L335?) with Vista installed.

I want to use Firefox, I've decided, and need some ideas for add-ons.

And anything else a new computer needs that does not come with it.

 

[Amantis]

I use the Foxclocks add on and Speed Dial add on for Firefox. Foxclocks because I can check different timezones at a glance at the bottom of the page, which is particularly useful as I don't need to count how many hours every time I talk to a random friend/family member. And speed dial so that I can switch back and forth between frequently visited websites without the need to click on bookmarks.

Other than pretty wallpaper for your desktop and a couple of IM programmes to use, not sure what else you'll need.

- Amantis

 

[Aurora]

If you visit lots of forums: a dictionary/spell check add-on. You don't realize you need it, until those Microsoft Office-ish red lines start appearing. It works great. (To bad it's impossible to have one on a phone.)

 

[Metal Gear Flash]

If your buying a laptop its already gonna have lots of bullshit installed on it, and you want to add more stuff? It'll run cleaner and give you less problems if you just open win32 and ctrl+a and delete.

jk jk but srsly...less is more

 

[Tyrael]

If your buying a laptop its already gonna have lots of bullshit installed on it, and you want to add more stuff? It'll run cleaner and give you less problems if you just open win32 and ctrl+a and delete.

jk jk but srsly...less is more

Oh I have no intentions of keeping most of what it comes with.

 

[Dragnskull]

1. replace the toshiba with an Acer
2. buy Acer's extended "Totalcare Warranty" for a total of 3 years complete hardware coverage vs 1 year of limited hardware coverage
3. make sure you get some kind of antivirus besides norton, mcafee, or trend micro. Id suggest Avast! Home or Pro
4. If you have someone that knows wtf theyre doing, reinstall the OS so you get rid of all that Brand name 3rd party software shit people like to throw in. that stuff is useless and bogs the fuck down every machine ive ever seen it on.

 

[Tyrael]

All my past experience's with Acer's blow.
They were never dependable and are always the cheapest things at the store.
I will take your advice on Avast! and I know some people who are savy with computers so I will also find someone to reinstall the OS.

Thanks

 

[Dragnskull]

All my past experience's with Acer's blow.
They were never dependable and are always the cheapest things at the store.
I will take your advice on Avast! and I know some people who are savy with computers so I will also find someone to reinstall the OS.

Thanks

9 times out of 10 when someone tells me a past experience with a laptop sucks its been software issues, slowness, viruses, crashed os, etc which isnt due to the brand name, but the user thats using it.

as for hardware, the only complaint i have is when you go into larger size screens, ive noticed a few models tend to have the left hinge crack tbh

besides that, thats why i recommend the acer totalcare warranty, extends the warranty to a total of 3 years and covers -all- hardware issues, not just "defect", aka if you get pissed and snap it in half, they will give you a completely new laptop under warranty.

acer makes all there own parts so they arent outsourcing to the lowest bidder overseas, one of the biggest reasons i like using acer, not to mention they are upping the ladder in leaps and bounds as far as customer satisfaction goes (I believe they are rated 2nd in that area atm)

only complaint i have with toshiba is ive seen the inverter boards go out in them quite often. HP's tend to get dead videocards, and dells well, are dells. lol

 

[coRtALoS]

Amantis: That's an awesome addon, thanks!

I like to also have the Google/Alexa Pagerank addon just to see how big a site is that I'm visiting. Something I still like to have around from my forum/site admin days.

 

[Amantis]

You're welcome Cort. I have like...7 timezones I have to check all the time (if that's the one you're thanking me for). LOL.

- Amantis

 

[Renzokuken]

CoolIris. Cort can tell you it's a gnarly firefox addon.

 

[Aurora]

As for Firefox itself: use the portable version. Uses less resources and starts faster, yet it still has all that the normal version has. It even works with all extensions, and even themes. No idea how they did it, but it's the best thing ever.

Further, use open office instead of ms word. Just as good, but free, faster and friendly to your RAM. You can also get a portable version of it, by the way.

About those portable apps: they don't install into your registry either, so it doesn't add anything to your startup sequence. Speed speed speed. Most important thing on a laptop, no matter what brand.

Edit: look here:
PortableApps.com - Portable software for USB drives

The trick is to NOT install on a portable device, such as an usb stick, but on your standard hard drive. Even more speed. =D

Edit 2: their Pidgin messenger is an excellent replacement for msn and the like. Used it very often when I was still working on my pc. Now I use the Ebuddy java app for my phone. Also a good program for if you have a good phone.

 

[Tyrael]

I'm use to meebo on my iPod.
I will look into these portable options.

And last time I tried to get Open Office I could've swore it was trial-only. Can you give me a link?

 

[Aurora]

It's all in PortableApps.com - Portable software for USB drives

You can download everything seperately, or use the "suite" to install everything to. It's a nice thing. It auto-starts, and then places a small box with all portable apps on your desktop. I believe openoffice was included.

As for the trial thing: openoffice is supposed to be free!? (as are those portable apps)

Edit: the suite is here
--> PortableApps.com Suite and PortableApps.com Platform | PortableApps.com - Portable software for USB drives

Lol, only 335 mb for the full install of all that. That's less then installing just ms word. I've been using it for years, works great. Never even looked at just how small of an install it was. I reccommend this to everybody.

 

[Theroy]

you have a lot of fucking titles.

 

[Emperor Pan I]

Stick to open source software. All open source.

Firefox add-ons that are golden:
Hyperwords - Does a lot of stuff, but I mostly use it for decent translations. Helps with my German.
Firebug/webdeveloper/measureit/firecookie/gridfox - Pretty much needed for web development.

YouTube Comment Snob - blocks all stupid coments in youtube. win.

 

[Aurora]

That youtube thing is actually quite good.