FREE Webmaster Articles and Resources

7 steps to make your brand new website popular

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 06:44:59 -0500

Once you create a new branded website for your business or any reason, you can make it popular to get traffic and find new costumers in 7 easy steps: unique contents, SEO, Article Marketing, Forum Marketing, Social Networking, Giving out freebies and continues activity.

5 Facebook Apps for Androids

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 08:45:02 -0500

Using Facebook through a PC is a wholly difference experience from using one on a tablet or phone between the smaller screens and the use of fingers to interact with the app. While you can use Facebook through your Android browser, working with an app made with the Android in mind improves the user experience.

You’ll notice these apps fall into three categories: Facebook app, social network management and Facebook chat.

1. Facebook for Android

The app optimizes Facebook for the small screen knowing you won’t have the standard PC keyboard and mouse available. When you open the app,

Features to Look for When Buying a Smartphone

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 08:30:01 -0500

The pool of smartphones available today is overwhelming. Not only do you need to decide on the type of smartphone — such as iPhone, Android and BlackBerry — but also the model.

If you’re not sure which type you want, think about how you will use the phone. Will you read email, ebooks and documents? Write? Edit documents? Use social networks? Browse the Internet? Take pictures? Play games? The list goes on.

If you just use the phone to make calls, you don’t need much. Otherwise, here are the features to ponder when shopping for a smartphone.

Memory.

Apple iPhone 4S Announcement

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 08:15:01 -0500

Many feel let down by the recent iPhone announcement because they expected to hear about the iPhone 5. And then, Steve Jobs passed away the next day. Maybe it was a good thing. The tame announcement allowed the world to reflect on Steve Jobs’ incredible life and contributions.

Initial Reaction to the iPhone 4S

In times where many companies release products to make a date, they sacrifice quality and risk losing customers. Apple’s holding off on the iPhone 5 implied that it needed more work. Too often, companies release products for the sake of company financials and not for

Kindle Fire vs. Apple iPad

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 08:00:01 -0500

You must admit Amazon keeps amazing everyone. The store originally sold books. Then it added products from A to Z. It went further by creating its own product in the Kindle eReader. The eReader move has paid off as Amazon said its ebooks outsell books. Now, it took another step by with its own tablet to offer functionality beyond downloading and reading books.

Market research firm eDataSource reports that Amazon receives an average of 20,000 Kindle Fires pre-orders a day, with the first day racking up 95,000 orders. According to Cult of Android, which claims to have a

Geeky Kitchen Gadgets for Thanksgiving, Holidays and Year-round

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 07:45:01 -0500

Tis the season to be cooking, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Don we now our kitchen gadgets, Fa la la la la, la la la la. Whether you love cooking and gadgets or someone who does, there’s plenty of great stuff out there to get your geek cook on. Prepare your wish list for a few additions or delight the geeky cook with these gift ideas.

Turkey fryer. Fried turkey may be delicious, but cooking them takes work with the risk of hot oil splatter. That won’t be a problem with Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Infrared

Access Gmail with Offline Google Mail

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 07:30:01 -0500

With Wi-Fi available in more places, many of us take the Internet for granted feeling always connected. But there are times when the Internet isn’t available whether it’s Mother Nature intervening, a wireless company’s outage or traveling in an airplane that requires turning off the network.

Once upon a time, we didn’t always connect to the online world. We didn’t have to worry about the network going down because all of our emails and apps were available on our computers.

With more people signing up for web-based email services like Gmail, not having 24/7 Internet access turns into a problem.

Jailbreaking the iPhone – Worth It Or a Waste of Time?

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 07:15:01 -0500

You have probably been hearing the term “jailbreaking” a lot lately. No, it doesn’t mean busting out of jail and going on the run. It is a technical term applied to network-connected devices, and you can jailbreak anything from a Playstation to an Android.

However, the real debate has come from the jailbreaking of the iPhone, and with the amount of misinformation in the media, many people are wondering whether or not it is worth it.

What Is Jailbreaking?

Jailbreaking an iPhone is the process of selecting some kind of application that will allow you to use unauthorized apps (like

7 Useful Remote Desktop Tools

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 07:00:01 -0500

For anyone who doesn’t want to be tied down to their desktop computer, remote desktop tools offer freedom at an affordable price. This is an invaluable service to any system support professional. Instead of driving into the office in the dead of night to fix a problem, you can simply use the remote-control function to save the day! Even if you’re not a techie, you can use this useful software solution.

Whether you’re on vacation or just around the corner, you never know when you might need to take a peek at a file stored on your home machine. If

Does TuneUp Utilities 2012 Improve PC Performance?

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 06:45:01 -0500

Every move you take on your computer adds to its workload. Downloading, uninstalling, browsing, moving, deleting. All these activities leave a trail of worthless data getting in the way of computing processes. Optimization applications can help erase the trails while keeping your machine clean, lean and mean.

However, optimization apps can be dangerous for the everyday computer user. Some require careful decision-making before cleaning up because deleted files can mess up the registry or be something you need. Although you can do many of the cleaning activities yourself, they’re time consuming because you have to locate them in different

iPhone Apps to Check Your Eyesight

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 06:30:01 -0500

Everyone, even those with healthy eyes and no vision problems, have to go to see an eye doctor on a fairly regular basis. As we age, and especially in a time with so much digital media keeping us looking at a glowing screen for hours at a time, eyesight becomes more blurred. More people need contacts and eyeglasses than ever before, and it is Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) that is mostly to blame.

But for all the problems they can cause, your devices can also offer you some help. For example, the iPhone has a couple of apps that can

How to Control Your Home Computer From Anywhere but Home

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 06:15:02 -0500

It is possible for you to be able to connect to your home computer from a different location, and work with your files, photos and software. With Virtual Network Computing (VNC), you can connect to your home computer’s desktop from any computer with Internet access.

The VNC technology uses remote capabilities to control another computer over a network. Everything is seen/done in real time, so there is no lag time on applications, installations, etc. By using this type of technology, you can successfully manage your client accounts or interact between computers.

In order for the VNC to have a successful

Best iPhone Apps to Travel to Chicago

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 06:00:02 -0500

Mobile phones have come a long way from simply allowing us to exchange conversation, and mobile apps have come a long way from simple calculators and time-wasting games. The modern iPhone is a tool in nearly any situation, offering the traveler in particular an endless array of useful apps and functions to make every trip easier and more secure.

If your travel plans have you heading to the Windy City, for business or pleasure, check out these Chicago-friendly iPhone apps to assist you with everything from train and bus schedules to local sports awareness!

1. iTrans Chicago CTA

Chicago

HOW TO: Set Up an Online Course

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 05:45:02 -0500

If you need to provide an online training course, whether for your employees or to your students, the ProProfs Training Maker is a simple, intuitive tool to help you do it quickly and with absolute minimal hassle, allowing you to focus on content instead of technical headaches.

1. Organize Your Needs and Ideas

The first step in creating your online course is bringing together your ideas, combining them with the desired outcome and then working to present them in a easy-to-learn manner to your trainees. Because online course editing all takes place on a single screen when using the

Apple iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 Compared

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 05:30:02 -0500

Whether you love or hate the iPhone, there are a couple of certainties that no one can deny concerning Apple’s flagship product: Its intuitive interface and wild popularity have made it one of the most polarizing products in modern history. But while opinions may vary greatly concerning the iPhone’s rank among competing devices, no one can deny Apple’s ability to give smartphone users an amazing punch with the perfect combination of hardware and software in each device it releases.

While users of other smartphone platforms, such as Google Android, can look directly at what is offered by the iPhone 4

Best Note-Taking Apps

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 05:15:02 -0500

As an avid fan of applications of all kinds, I read a lot of best-of lists around the web. But when these lists include apps for note taking, they always seem to miss several of those that I have found to be some of the very best.

Here is a collection of 10 note-taking apps for various media devices that you are sure to love and use regularly. Most you have probably heard of, some might be new to you, and some have been there all along but are woefully ignored in today’s tech savvy times.

1. Notalon (Windows)

4 Sites to Troubleshoot Your Car

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 05:00:01 -0500

Are you of the widespread opinion that anything and everything can be found on the internet, at the touch of a button, and for free?

If so, you’re far from alone. In fact, the internet has evolved into such an incredible hub of instantaneous information that some scientists believe it’s affecting our memory.

However, while everything from how to cook the perfect steak through to the answers to life’s big questions are all available at our fingertips, there’s one thing that remains exceedingly difficult to find online: step-by-step advice on how to troubleshoot your car.

Yet don’t fret: here are

5 Best Real Estate Search Tools

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 04:45:02 -0500

Given the huge population of not only the world but also any given major metropolitan area, matching houses, condos and properties with the people they’re best suited to can be a major challenge for real estate professionals. While the market slows down and speeds up on a whim, the fact is that many thousands of newly listed properties can be found each day in a single big city alone.

When connecting your clients to the property of their dreams is a must, real estate agents who are in-the-know turn to the many invaluable search tools available across the internet. Whether

8 Best iPad Apps for Educators

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 04:30:01 -0500

After a period lasting thousands of years in which teachers had only basic language and writing tools at their disposal, the technological age has made electronic wonders instantly available to the hands of educators and students alike, presenting the ability to enrich the learning environment exponentially.

The Apple iPad tablet computer in particular has proven to be an invaluable aid in classrooms of all types, allowing teachers to better present, test and track their material and helping students to better study, research and understand the ideas being taught to them.

If you’re a teacher at any level looking to integrate

3 Funny Uses for Your Cloud

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 04:15:02 -0500

The advent of cloud computing technology has certainly brought more than a slight hint of flair, practicality, and increased convenience to the management of business operations as well as individuals’ lives. After all, since when could you travel from one continent to another and not even have to bring along any of your office paperwork, hard disk, or USB drives?!

With the use of cloud computing and applications like Drop Box and GoogleDocs, all you need is access to the World Wide Web, and you’ve got it all at the tip of your fingers. You can store tens and thousands

How to Deal with Hacked Email

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 04:00:01 -0500

Image from sxc.hu user enimal

The downside of having a web-based or cloud-based email account is that it could be hacked. Accessing email online has many advantages that outweigh the possibility of hacking. Besides, those using computer-based email can still become victims of hacking by opening suspicious attachments or clicking phishing links.

Even if your email account remains safe, follow these steps to lower your chances of dealing with the aftermath.

1. Change your password. Anytime any account is hacked, always change your password ASAP. Make an effort to create a strong password and avoid duplicating your old password. People

Remain Vigilant: A Glimpse of a Grim Future Under SOPA

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 03:45:02 -0500

Yes, we know that SOPA (the Stop Online Piracy Act) was essentially defeated after a number of websites like Wikipedia and Reddit went “black” to protest the Internet-censoring legislation. But anyone who knows anything about politics will also realize that just because SOPA’s author, Texas Republican Congressman Lamar Smith, recently postponed his plans to push the bill through Congress doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods yet.

In short, the freedom of the Internet is too danged important to think that all is well in the domain of Internet censorship.

So how can I convince you, oh readers of Clickfire,

HostMonster vs. Just Host: Features and Pricing Breakdown

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 03:30:02 -0500

You hear about a lot of hosting companies here on Clickfire, and it’s not just because we’re on an immortal quest to discover the best one for your readers. Well, okay, that’s exactly what we’re doing – and part of that quest means not only reviewing the individual companies themselves, but pitting them against each other in hand-to-hand combat and comparing their features directly.

Sites like HostMonster and Just Host are why we do this thing in the first place – they’re quality hosting sites that offer a lot of bargain for the dollar, which means you end up keeping

4 Techie Office Pranks For Mac And Windows Users

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 03:15:02 -0500

Looking for a way to liven up the office? Still reeling from a coworker’s successful April Fool’s prank last year? You’ve come to the right place. What follows is a list of 4 deliciously devious office pranks that are guaranteed to bring laughter and frustration to a cubicle farm near you. Whether you’re targeting a Mac or Windows user, you’ll surely find an appropriate target for these tried-and-true stunts:

1. Invert Screen Colors

While this prank is not exactly subtle, it’s quite baffling to any computer user who didn’t know it was even possible. This quick prank will allow

GoDaddy WebSite Tonight Review: Can You Be In Business This Evening?

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 03:00:01 -0500

No matter who you are these days – elderly, twelve years old, a stay-at-home dad or a working mom – there’s a good chance you’ve thought about building your own website. Whether you want to bake cookies and sell them for a generous fee or simply need a way to broadcast your thoughts to the masses, the Internet has made go-getters of us all. It’s no surprise, then, that you have a plethora of website building products and services from which to choose.

If you fall in this demographic, there’s a good chance that speed is the name of the

5 Simple Steps to Keep Your Facebook Secure

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 02:45:02 -0500

Facebook is more than just the largest social network, it is also a place where we manage our most personal connections, keep our private information and, for many, make our home on the Web.

This can make Facebook something of a security nightmare. Hackers who gain unauthorized access to your account not only have access to a great deal of private information, but they can wreak havoc with your personal life in many different ways, such as what happened when members of 4chan hacked various Facebook accounts.

Even Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s founder and CEO, is not immune to this problem

HostGator vs. Just Host

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 02:30:01 -0500

In some markets, only a side-by-side comparison of two separate vendors really seems to provide the information you need to make a properly-informed financial decision. Luckily, the two web hosts we’re featuring today aren’t exactly bank-breakers; but even though $5/month or so isn’t enough to make you fret about web hosting prices, you’ll always want to be on the lookout for that one hosting company that does it all right.

Are Host Gator and Just Host worthy contenders? It’s time to find out.

Features

It’s time for the head-to-head matchup – the tale of the tape, if you will. As

SEO SpyGlass: $99 SEO Tool

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 02:15:01 -0500

SEO SpyGlass Review: What It Is Capable Of

There are all kinds of ways for an SEO guy to find information about a domain name. Yahoo Site Explorer, a Google site: search, and a bunch of other search engine based tools can be used to gather as large of a list of links as possible, all of which may or may not still be pointing to the domain. Then, the SEO guy could visit each individual link and check to see if it still exists, use Google Toolbar to check the PageRank of each page, count the

HostGator vs. InMotion Hosting

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 02:00:01 -0500

It’s not always enough to review one web hosting provider – you’ve got to review two at a time to give readers the context they so aptly desire. That’s the purpose of today’s matchup, the clash in the steel cage between HostGator and InMotion Hosting – two relatively inexpensive and appealing hosting options that nonetheless share some subtle yet distinctive differences. Let’s tabulate them all and present them in visual form, shall we?

Features

The first place to look for differences is obvious: the features. The types of features a web hosting company offers can be a dealbreaker for even

4 GoToMeeting Alternatives That Are Cheaper, Easier, and Just Plain Better

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 01:45:01 -0500

Many of us are aware of GoToMeeting. We’ve heard the radio pitches, seen the TV commercials, and might have even checked out their website once or twice. But if you’ve had some reservations about your web conferencing software, you can join the club: there are a lot of people out there not sure if all the hype is matched by the actual quality of the GoToMeeting product.

Of course, this wouldn’t be an issue if GoToMeeting held a monopoly over the world of web conferencing. Lucky for us, it doesn’t. There are plenty of alternatives out there – many of