If you use either Mozilla Firefox or Thunderbird, you have most likely never backed up your browser’s settings and bookmarks or your email client’s accounts and messages. This is because neither client includes a built in backup function and the majority of users don’t wast time trying to figure out how to do so. Although browser backup consists mainly of bookmarks and isn’t as important, archiving your important emails is. The solution, MozBackup, a freeware application which allows backing up and restoring “bookmarks, mail, contacts, history, extensions, and cache” from Thunderbird and Firefox.

Backup Instructions:

1. Download MozBackup and Install It (windows only)
2. Close all Applications, especially Firefox and Thunderbird
3. Run MozBackup and select either Firefox or Thunderbird
4. Select a profile (normally is called ‘default’)
5. Pick a place to save the backup file and press ‘Next’
6. Enter a password when prompted if backing up emails
7. Choose the items you wish to backup and hit ‘Next’
8. After a few moments, you backup should be Complete!

We suggest moving the file over to a CD, DVD, flash drive, or another hard drive. If your desktop or laptop is physically damaged, those backup files will be not accessible if they are still on your primary HDD. When restoring proceed through the instructions provided above in the same order, except choose the “Restore” option when selecting the application in Step 3.

Download: MozBackup | Link: More Information (screenshots)

Mozilla has just pushed out two new updates for Firefox and Thunderbird. The new Firefox update, 2.0.0.1, is the first patch to become available for Firefox 2.0 since its launch in October. According to Mozilla, the patch fixes about 8 different security issues and will now support Windows Vista for early adapters. If you are already using Firefox 2.0 and you haven’t already been notified of the update just go to “Help -> Check for Updates…” and Firefox will do the rest. Updating isn’t critical, but if you have a few seconds to spare, we recommend upgrading.

As for Thunderbird, a small update, 1.5.0.9, is now available. This patch “improves product stability” and also fixes about 7 security issues. As far as we know, Thunderbird 2.0 is on its way (expected 1st Quarter ‘07) and it will include many new new features such as tags, tabbed email, and alerts. If you wish to test it out the beta is available from Mozilla’s website.

Links: Mozilla Firefox | Mozilla Thunderbird
Related: Firefox 2.0 Released

If you are a thumb drive user and have a few megabytes to spare, you will find this tip useful. PortableApps.com currently offers “portable” versions of applications such as Firefox, Thunderbird, Gaim, and OpenOffice. These apps will run right off any standard USB flash drive without having to install the application on a computer it’s plugged into. Keeping some basic programs on your thumb drive can save you the hassle of having to download and install the application on other machines and will also maintain your bookmarks, settings, and customizations.

To Install a Portable Application:

1. Pick an application and download
2. Insert your drive and select the file
3. Browse to the location of your drive
4. Hit “OK” and it should begin extracting

Once complete you should be able to select the “.exe” file on your thumb drive to launch the application of your choice. PortableApps also offers a “Suite”, which will install a variety of free and open source programs. However installing this package may consume over 200MB of space and isn’t recommend for those with small storage capacities. We recommend picking and installing apps that you know you will use manually so space won’t be wasted for applications you probably will never use. Note: Your thumb drive can still be used for storage as always even with applications installed.

Links: PortableApps Suite | Applications List
Buy: Sandisk 1GB Cruzer Micro ($25)
Related: Use An iPod For Password Recovery

1) Apple iPod Updater (2006-06-28) was released a while ago. The update includes an optional volume limiter for the iPod Shuffle, support for the new Nike + iPod nano device and has some small bug fixes. You should upgrade if you have any ipod nano issues or if you plan to use iPod + Nike.
Links: iPod Update | Apple iPod Lineup

2) Mozilla Firefox v1.5.0.6 has been available for a few weeks and if you had upgraded to v1.5.0.5, you should upgrade. The previous update had patched over 13 security issues, but also created a new bug which had to do with Windows Media Content. To upgrade visit the link below or (Firefox v1.5 or above) select Check For Updates from the help menu.
Links: Mozilla Firefox | Change Log

3) Yahoo Messenger v8.0 was released a few weeks ago. This new client, which has left beta, supports chatting with people using MSN Messenger without any extra tools. Windows Live Messenger Is still in beta, but cross chatting should still work. The new version has many new features and works with over 180 free plugins. With new MSN + Yahoo! clients users are now connected to over 350 million members.
Links: Yahoo! Messenger | Windows Live Messenger

4) Apple Boot Camp v1.1 is now available and has new windows drivers to support hardware such as the iSight, built-in mic, and making it possible for a right-click. Also included is support for using standard windows keys and XP install on internal disks. The download is available from Apple’s website. Note: Software is still in beta and only for Intel Macs.
Links: Apple – Boot Camp | Boot Camp Info

5) Google Talk finally got a major update after being available for over 1 year. The new update gives Google Talk the ability to perform File Transfers, leave Voicemail, and display your “Music Status”. None of these features are unique when compared to other clients, but the entire application is 1.23MB. Get the update from the link below.
Links: Google Talk | What’s New and More Info

1) iTunes v6.0.2 was released on 01/10/05. (Mac and Win) The program mainly includes fixes for stability issues that existed in v6.0.1. The update can be found on either Apple’s website or can be updated using the Update Feature in iTunes. This new version also has a new iTunes mini-store which is visible in the bottom menu while viewing your library. It also allows converting videos in your library into an iPod Video compatible format, which eliminates the need for 3rd party programs.
Link: Get iTunes | iTunes Home

2) QuickTime v7.0.4 released on 01/10/05 as well. It comes bundled with iTunes if you udpated that, but you can also update the QuickTime program from Apple’s website or the Update Feature built into the program. 7.0.4 has many bug fixes and H.264 decoding and encoding performance improvements. Apple reccomends that everyone updates to this version as soon as possible. *This progam is required if you want to use the video transcoding features in iTunes.
Link: Get QuickTime | QuickTime Home

3) Two new Google Earth editions have been released. The first one is for Mac OS X. This is the first release for the Mac OS and is obvioulsy going to be in BETA editions for a long time. (requires 10.4 or above) The second release is for Windows and infact this release marks the end of BETA for the Windows edition of Google Earth. Google reccomends running Google Earth on win computers that have at least a 32mb Video Card, 512 MB of RAM, 1.2GHz Processor and a High Speed Connection.
Link: Get Google Earth | Google Blog Announcement
Related: Hurricane Katrina Satellite Images

4) Skype v2.0 with Video support released. A BETA edition with video features was available for a long time, but this has finally been done. The entire interface has been updated and looks much better. Ton of new features have been added. Skype has also enabled many new API features. The program loads up and runs much faster than previous versions. The video quality in the new Skype is just as amazing as the audio quality is. But if you have both running at the same time, the quality of the audio might be reduced.
Link: Get Skype | Skype Blog | ChangeLog

5) Mozilla Thunderbird v1.5 has been released at last. It has been over a month since Firefox 1.5 was released. (This is a major update) First most important thing is the fact that you will no longer need to download 6mb files each time you need to update your program after you upgrade to 1.5. Future updates will be done through the program as “patches” and will only be about 0.5mb. Thunderbird now has SpellCheck as you type, Search through Folders, better Phishing detection, Podcast support and more… Another neat feature allows deleting attachments from messages to save space. The program also has improved security, program stability, interface, and filters. If you use Thunderbird I reccomend getting this new version as soon as possible. All content in you client will not be touched if you just download the new version and run it over the previous program.
Link: Get Thunderbird | Release Notes
Related: Get Firefox

1) Firefox & Thunderbird 1.0.6 – Mozilla released another update for both Firefox and Thunderbird making both programs v1.0.6. They released such a quick update because v1.0.5 contained a buggy API, which didn’t allow many extensions to function properly. Only update if your extensions aren’t working, but there aren’t any other updates since 1.0.5.
Link: Mozilla.org | Firefox (changelog) | Thunderbird (changelog)
Related: Firefox and Thunerbird 1.0.5

2) MSN Messenger v7.5 BETA – Microsoft is currently testing a major update to the current v7.0. Some new features include voice clips (15-sec clips), new sign-on screen (sign on invisibly), and re-named buttons. This doesn’t say much, but they most likely also fixing major security flaws and bugs even though they haven’t announced any more yet.
Link: MSN Messenger | BETA News
Related: Gaim | Trillian

3) AOL Explorer 1.1… (BETA) AOL is working on a web browser to compete with IE, Firefox, and Mozilla. It currently includes a pop-up blocker, spyware scanner, tabbed browsing and a desktop search. I highly doubt this will become popular, they are just trying to get into the desktop search field, which Google, MSN, and Yahoo! are already in, and also going for a brand new browser, which IE makes up about 90% (FF is about 10%).
Link: AOL Explorer BETA | BETA News
Related: AOL Media Player | AIM Trition

4) Google Earth FREE Edition 3.0… BETA is out. This is an update to the previous version that had a few bugs. It is an amazing program, which should be installed by everyone. It had 3D images of many major cities and is gathering more and more satellite images from around the world every day! Google Maps also now covers more maps from around the world.
Link: Google Earth | Google Maps
Related: Google Labs | GlobeXplorer

5) QuickTime 7.0 Windows Public Preview 2 is now available. Apple has fixed many bugs since pre-1. It’s most important feature is the ability to play H.264, a video codec, which allows playing HD level content at low data rates. The file size is also suppost to be smaller than other formats of HD.
Link: Apple Quicktime | Windows Preview 2
Related: iTunes 4.9 w/ Podcasting Support

Note: (if you don’t already know) 2day is another FREE SKYPEOUT DAY