Cultlog SSG

Essential software and setup advice for a new PC

stevenserraogutierrez — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:34:14 +0000

Every new computer needs a bit of help on the software front to function properly. The basics are usually pre-installed such as Internet Explorer and maybe a few demos but they will certainly not be enough.

I have prepared a guide to the essential software needed for an average user and a setup guide to minimise fuss and complications. All advice is legal and free.

This setup advice is designed to be simple and an average computer user should be able to complete all the steps. I recommend you have another computer present in order to help with download tasks and to share old media such as images and music.

This setup advice was written in May 2012. Please check that you are downloading the most recent version of the software.

What you need:
- 1 new computer (preferably a laptop)
- 1 old working computer (preferably a laptop with a CD drive)
- Internet access with wifi (broadband)
- 1 USB memory stick of around 1GB or more
- Around 1 – 2 hours

Read part 1 for essential Windows PC software.

Read part 2 for a recommended setup process including online accounts.

Read below for the essential Windows PC software available for free:

1. Microsoft Security Essentials (anti-virus and malware protection)
Antivirus and malware protection by Microsoft. To avoid conflict uninstall pre-installed anti-virus software such as Norton or Kaspersky.
Direct download link (cannot be pre-downloaded)

2. CCleaner (software and plugin-ins remover)
Specialist software to remove demos, plug-ins and trial versions that are pre-installed.
CNET Download link (can be pre-downloaded)

3. Google Chrome (internet browser)
Fast, secure and easy to use internet browser.
CNET Download link (cannot be pre-downloaded)

4. VLC Media Player (media player)
Media player capable of playing most formats including online video.
CNET Download link (can be pre-downloaded)

5. Apple iTunes (media player and online media shop)
Popular music and media management software and online shop.
CNET Download link (can be pre-downloaded)

6. Adobe Reader (PDF document viewer)
Specialist software to open and read PDF documents.
CNET Download link (cannot be pre-downloaded)

7. Skype (voice, video and chat communication software)
Popular communication service to be used with the computer microphone and web camera.
CNET Download link (cannot be pre-downloaded)

8. OpenOffice (free equivalent to Microsoft Office)
Free and powerful word processing and office software.
CNET Download link (can be pre-downloaded)

9. Spotify (free and subscription music streamer and player)
The modern way to listen to music online (not available worldwide).
CNET Download link (can be pre-downloaded)

10. Google Chrome App – Remote Desktop (Google Chrome plugin)
A simple and safe way to access and control another computer using Google Chrome. This will allow another user to provide support remotely using the internet.
Chrome Web Store link

Read below for a recommended setup process including online accounts:

Step 1. (pre-setup)
Try to pre-download software on another computer (with a working anti-virus) in order to save time. Check what version of Windows the new computer uses such as 32 bit or 64 bit and download the appropriate version. If in doubt low powered computers such as netbooks and laptops will use a 32 bit version of Windows, high powered laptops and desktops will use 64 bit. Save software installation files to a memory stick.

Step 2. (safe software removal)
To save time install CCleaner first (from the memory stick) and uninstall trial versions and demos of software. If in doubt only remove the free or trial anti-virus. This will also create more memory space on the computer.

* Step 3. (security)
Setup the Windows firewall (this will limit how the computer communicates with the internet and help to protect against viruses and malware).

Step 4. (security)
Connect to the internet and download and install Microsoft Security Essentials. To access the correct website Google “Microsoft Security Essentials” or manually write this link into the internet browser:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows/products/security-essentials

Step 5. (security)
Run a system check through Microsoft Security Essentials. This will take around 10 – 30 minutes.

Step 6. (software installation)
From the memory stick start installing software one at a time. If prompted to restart the computer after installing an item of software make sure you restart. Set each item of software not to check for updates automatically to reduce pop-ups and extra prompts. Each item of software can be checked for updates manually in the future.

Step 7. (software installation)
Install the rest of the software items from the list above one at a time. As above, if prompted to restart please do so in order to minimise issues.

* Step 8. (online accounts)
Open Google Chrome. Create a Google account at www.google.co.uk (also known as Google Mail or a Gmail account).

* Step 9. (internet browsing)
Sync the Google account with Google Chrome. Remove old bookmarks and add new bookmarks to the toolbar including TfL, BBC iPlayer, 4oD, YouTube, MSN, BBC Weather and Facebook.

Step 10. (communication)
Create a Facebook account. Add privacy options, add profile picture and basic info, add family and close friends.

* Step 11. (communication)
Create a Skype account. Add profile picture, add family and close friends.

* Step 12. (music)
Create a Spotify account with the Facebook login). Create a singles playlist and albums playlist and add popular music. Subscribe to playlists by brands, family and friends.

Step 13. (security)
Check the Windows Firewall settings and allow internet access to Chrome, iTunes, Skype and Spotify. By allowing only these applications to access the internet you are minimising virus and malware risks.

Step 14. (remote help)
Test the Chrome Web Store app “Chrome Remote Desktop” in order to allow remote assistance. This will allow Person A in New York take control of Person B’s computer in London and help with tasks such as filling in a web form or checking a security pop-up message. This is not as hard as it sounds!

Step 15. (checks)
Using the old and new computer check if Skype is working for video calls and voice calls. Check on the new computer that Spotify is working to play music.

Step 16. (media, files and documents)
Transfer old photos and documents into the appropriate folders in the new computer such as a folder containing family photos within the Photos folder in the Documents folder.

Step 17. (music from CDs)
Use the old computer to ‘rip’ (also known as copy) music CDs with iTunes, if connected to the internet iTunes will find the music information such as album name and song title. Load music files into the memory stick and transfer to the new computer into iTunes. This is perfectly legal.

Step 18. (regular visits in the future)
Return to the computer after 1 week and then every month in order to help with software updates and general internet access. Some of this can be conducted using the remote desktop tool in Google Chrome and by speaking on the phone or Skype at the same time.

* If software such as Spotify, Skype, iTunes and Google Chrome cannot access the internet make the appropriate permissions are given for internet access by the Windows Firewall in step 13.

Clips from CircusFest at Roundhouse London contemporary circus from around the world

stevenserraogutierrez — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:48:13 +0000

During 2012′s CircusFest I recorded a few clips of the shows featuring spectacular performances. The videos don’t do the performances justice. These are simple clips recorded on an iPhone so make sure you attend next year to see the shows in person.

Click here to visit the YouTube playlist featuring 6 videos.

American Express’s updated iPhone app with editorial and commerce

stevenserraogutierrez — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:36:05 +0000

Teetering towards an editorialally based brand (actual content provided by the Telegraph), Amex has updated their iPhone app with the introduction of a section called “Explore Your Card Benefits and Specials”.

By taking advantage of existing installations and presumably decent frequency of use (the app allows you to check your card balance etc). The new features will help card members discover shopping opportunities and find inspirational through location based content.

This is an excellent example of a mobile app strategy that leverages an existing and established app to enhance the existing user experience, continue to delight customers and drive revenue through the app and in everyday life.

See below for a few screengrabs (images edited with the iPhone / iOS photo editing apps Halftone and the above image is put together using Diptic).

Click to view slideshow.

How to set your privacy options for Facebook’s new Timeline apps

stevenserraogutierrez — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:00:59 +0000

About Facebook’s Timeline apps:
http://www.facebook.com/about/timeline/apps

About Facebook’s Timeline:
http://www.facebook.com/about/timeline

#hardandfast

stevenserraogutierrez — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:00:37 +0000

Nokia creates a game out of your favourite websites featuring Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja

stevenserraogutierrez — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 03:00:38 +0000

Nokia Argentina has created a clever game using special bookmarks and almost any website. To setup simply drag a link into the bookmarks bar of your internet browser. To play Angry Birds or Fruit Ninja (two of the most popular mobile games ever), click on the bookmark and follow the instructions.

See the screengrabs below for a basic preview (this could keep you occupied for a while).

Click to view slideshow.

Drag to bookmarks bar:

Visit this feature on How-To Geek to find the links:

www.howtogeek.com/97061/play-angry-birds-and-fruit-ninja-on-any-web-site/

What you can do with a hula hoop

stevenserraogutierrez — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 01:00:23 +0000

Time Out’s 100 best comedy movies – the amazingly interactive YouTube quiz

stevenserraogutierrez — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:09:24 +0000

To celebrate the launch of Time Out’s 100 Best Comedy Movies, the staff were peer pressured into playing out classic scenes from some of the comedy corkers for the interactive YouTube quiz. Watch the staff humiliate themselves for your comic pleasure, guess the films!

Pick your favourite out of the 100 Best Comedy Movies.

www.timeout.com/london/blog
www.timeout.com/london
www.youtube.com/timeoutlondonvideo

A Londoner’s tips for cool things to do in LA.

stevenserraogutierrez — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 19:44:36 +0000

Ideas and inspiration.

Where shall I stay?
On Santa Monica beach, Wilshire Boulevard or Santa Monica Boulevard.

How many days should I go for?
4 – 10 days.

Is it expensive?
A touch cheaper than London plus plenty of parking fees.

Do I need a car?
Yes.

See the Google map below for ideas and a general overview of things to see during a visit to one of the most famous cities in the world.

View Larger Map

Time Out’s 101 things to do in London Facebook app! Try it out now!

stevenserraogutierrez — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:01:47 +0000

Time Out London has created a fun Facebook app that allows you to tick of things from the list (101 that is), read more from the feature on the Time Out website and create your very own lists – not only can you get inspired you can inspire others with you local knowledge or creative ideas.

Click here to get started: www.apps.facebook.com/thingstodoinlondon

- Tick off things you’ve done from the list
- Share your score to Facebook and Twitter
- Create your own top 10 list

For examples of what lists you can create see:
- Where to go in London if you were a pigeon
- Live Homeless in London
- The London Riots Listing’s Tour

Time Out’s Olympic and Paralympic Games infographic

stevenserraogutierrez — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:17:12 +0000

See more on Time Out London’s website: www.timeout.com/london/olympics-2012

Candid videos from the Chris Cunningham video effects show

stevenserraogutierrez — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:00:57 +0000

www.chriscunningham.com

Mind blowing.

Tiscali Streamago the new free interactive broadcasting service

stevenserraogutierrez — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:47:26 +0000

Streamago is the new real-time broadcasting service provided by one of the UK’s most well known brands, Tiscali. The service is easy, you don’t have to download any software and you can use it straight from your internet browser. The Streamago broadcast console is powerful and allows you to add titles, subtitles and overlays – just like professional (and expensive) editing software.

Take advantage of this new service by creating your own channel. The service is integrated with Facebook so you don’t even have to waste time filling-in lots of annoying forms, the process has been made as easy as possible to help you get started.

The service is up and running today so you have the opportunity to create your own channel in just a few seconds. You can create and share live events in real-time – isn’t that amazing?

To get started you will need a PC with a webcam and an internet connection. You can also use Streamago iOS devices (including iPhones, iPods and iPads).

Create content for the vibrant and creative community. Join video makers, comedians, musicians and lots more talented people. Challenge yourself to create the most interesting channel.

Once you’re up and running don’t forget you can activate a dedicated chat to communicate with comments on your video.

If you’re stuck for ideas here are a few to get you started:

- Why not try music festival reviews?

- Why not start your very own radio show at home?

- Why not read poetry?

Viral video by ebuzzing

Time Out has finally launched daily deals!

stevenserraogutierrez — Fri, 20 May 2011 11:00:03 +0000

It’s one of the most useful, enjoyable and fun ways to get inspiration every day for things to do in London. Most important: big discounts and exclusive offers you won’t find anywhere else.

It’s super easy to get started:

Step 1. Visit the website now
Step 2. Enter your email (on the right hand side)
Step 3. Check your inbox for amazing deals every day!

www.timeout.com/london/deals

Time Out Deals - Sign up today!

Having fun with Instagram – a guide and tips (created with Prezi)

stevenserraogutierrez — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:17:23 +0000

How to use:
1. Click on the play symbol (bottom middle)
2. Wait for the presentation to load
3. Click on the play symbol to go through the slides

Created with Prezi, a cloud based interactive presentation platform (like PowerPoint but more fun). If you are having trouble viewing or using the presentation click here to visit the website.

Someone plays a trick on The Independent or The Independent plays a trick on us

stevenserraogutierrez — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:02:41 +0000

Mistakes can be made, *or did a savvy employee decide to generate awareness (possibly a Twitter trend) of this simple “PR fiction” by adding a subtle comment in the website address?

…Either way it’s brilliant and says what we’re all thinking anyway.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/utter-PR-fiction-but-people-love-this-shit-so-fuck-it-lets-just-print-it-2269573.html

* Update:

It turns out that this was all a hoax. The URL can be changed to say anything as long as the number at the end remains the same. See this post by Londonist for more info.

This is fun… O2′s Squirrel Stareout!

stevenserraogutierrez — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:00:11 +0000

Make use of the webcam on your office computer. O2 has created a simple and fun game, you have-to-have a go. If you don’t have a webcam try this at home.

The obligatory share buttons lets you tell everyone on Facebook and Twitter your score.

Go eye-to-eye with Hemingway:

www.o2blueroom.co.uk/squirrelstareout

Click to view slideshow.

That calls for a Carlsberg

stevenserraogutierrez — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:27:54 +0000

Carlsberg uses YouTube to remind us of moments that were truly worthy of a drink.

Visit the channel here: www.youtube.com/carlsberg

Instac.at it’s Instagram with cats

stevenserraogutierrez — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:29:48 +0000

Find cats from Instagram on a simple and fun website. With the growing popularity of Instagram and eternal love of cats you won’t have to go much further for an endless stream of instacats.

www.instac.at

Also see these brilliant sites:

www.cuteoverload.com
www.dailybunny.org
www.facebook.com/boo

Shoot Justin Bieber on YouTube! This is really clever!

stevenserraogutierrez — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 20:46:53 +0000

Follow the instructions (they’re not that difficult) and click on the number keys to shoot that pop sensation! It’s pretty responsive so go crazy, my favourite is number 7.

Instructions:
*HIT PAUSE
*Let the video load
*Hit Play
*Use Keys 1-9 to fire the gun

LICK the rainbow. TASTE the rainbow!!!

stevenserraogutierrez — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 20:05:39 +0000

One simple piece of advice! Do as it says and pop your finger on the screen! Another great campaign from Skittles.

Make money from your blog it’s all about ebuzzing

stevenserraogutierrez — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 11:01:03 +0000

Over the last few years new blogs have been exploding. For a long time the content focused around interests, ideas and opinion. There is one important aspect to blogging though, money!
We all know about those intrusive pop-ups and irrelevant blog posts on some sites. If you want to get some relevant content that your readers will enjoy, get to know about ebuzzing.

www.ebuzzing.co.uk

Importantly you don't have to mislead readers about the content – every sponsored post will be covered by the strict code of ethics and will be written in your own words. ebuzzing will present you with the best campaigns – the creativity and presentation is left to you.

It's easy to take part and you can help brands connect with their audience through your blog. Imagine working with brands such as M&S, McDonalds, Nike, Sony or any that you interact with every day. Work with these brands by using your blog and informing readers using your style about new developments. You can be the hype builder, not another blog with old new. Give your readers exclusive content!

ebuzzing really is a great way to monetize your blog. It's free and easy. There is nothing to lose except some great content on your blog and money in your pocket.

Find out more on ebuzzing.co.uk

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