WinTechpedia Add-on Collections

You probably noticed Mozilla Add-ons' New Design of the site. The main addition was Collections!

What are collections? "Collections are groups of related add-ons assembled for easy sharing." (from Mozilla)

So we have created 3 collections. Click the following links to go to them and find out more information.

WinTechpedia Recommended
The top add-ons we recommend. Add-ons here include WOT, SkipScreen, NoScript, Adblock Plus, etc...

WinTechpedia Security
The top add-ons we recommend for security and privacy. Add-ons here include WOT, NoScript, etc...

WinTechpedia Fun, Social, and Media
Add-ons we recommend for fun, socializing, communication, and media. Add-ons here include Bork! Bork! Bork!, Yoono, etc...

You could also install the Add-on Collector add-on to subscribe and add favorites to collections.

We need your help to expand these packs. What add-ons do you recommend us add? What add-ons do you recommend us take out? Leave your ideas in the comments!

Subscribing to our collections gives you alerts of new updates to them. This requires the Add-on Collector (by Mozilla).

All add-ons were created by their respective developers.

Object-Oriented Programming with Greenfoot

We've heard a lot about programming. For those of us that have tried to study it, we've heard the phrase "object-oriented" even more. So what exactly is it?

"Object-oriented" basically means the same thing as it sounds. Its a programming language based on "objects", which can be referenced in the code multiple times. Let us take this sample scenario. You have a world, with cells in it, and you want to stick Rocks into it. So in the code, you have to make everything that defines a Rock as many times as you need it, which would take a long time. However, in object-oriented programming, you can have a Rock class. In an object-oriented language, you can reuse the Rock class, by writing it once, and making it over and over again, just by initializing it, like this:

public class Rock() {

//there's currently nothing in this

}

Rock myRock = new Rock();

Now for those technologically challenged people who have no idea what I just wrote, here's an easier approach to this problem. Greenfoot, an open source Java (programming language) ide (interactive development environment), makes learning programming much easier. Download and install the program onto your computer (you'll need a recent Java JDK), to try things yourself, or watch along with this tutorial.

Upon opening Greenfoot for the first time, select the "wombats" scenario. Then, something similiar to the below will open. The square grid in the middle is the "world", or place where all the objects live in. To the right are the "classes", the types of objects that have been premade for you.

To begin experimenting, right click on a "Wombat" in the classes. You will be given the option of "new Wombat()", which initiates a new wombat. Put that Wombat into your world. Right click the Rock class, and click "new Rock()", and put the rock into the world. You have just created instances of classes, your very own objects. Continue placing rocks and leaves in the world (make sure not to overcrowd the world with rocks).

Now, you may be thinking, "this is a very uninteresting diagram of a wombat and rocks and leaves." Well the thing you don't know is that the world is currently paused. Click on the "Run" button on the bottom, and watch the wombat move. The Wombat is precoded to not run into rocks, and eats leaves. Click pause, and right click the wombat in the world. You given a list of "methods", basically functions that the wombat can carry out. Below is a screenshot of the scenario in action.

You may be wondering about what makes this program tick, and where all of the coding is. Right click the Wombat class on the right, and click "Open Editor". You will see something similar to the below screenshot:

You can play around with the code, and try to add your own, or maybe wait for the next post! Happy Programming!

That's all folks for today! Please comment on tech as we need comments to improve on the tech guide. Don't hesitate to ask any questions. Thanks!
By - WinTechpedia™ 2009 Contributors

Wolfram|Alpha: Knowledge Engine

Ever need to get some information right there without having to deal with millions of search results to sites you never heard about. For example, I want to know about tides in New York. So what do I do. I head on over to a search engine like Google and type in Tides New York. Woah! Tides Restaurant? Tides Seafood? Hundreds of results. None actually tell me about the tides in New York.

Wolfram|Alpha, a new service, is here to help change all that. I try my search again. Hey. There are graphs, charts, and everything I need to know, including when high tide and low tide are today and tomorrow. Now that wasn’t so hard? While you could be spending hours on Google or a similar search engine, Wolfram Alpha cuts that time to less than a minute.

There are lots more cool features of Wolfram Alpha like factoring. Enter your equation or just the problem and it will factor it for you including give you possible values for the variable as well as the graph, and much more.

Try searching “pi” It gives you a bunch of digits with a More Digits button. Keep pressing to keep getting more digits! It also gives you a lot of other information about pi also.

That’s not all. There are a lot more things it helps you do. Searches come in real time as the system processes your search term and calculates all the data right there.

Its fairly new and more features are constantly being added.

Click here to go to Wolfram|Alpha Home Page

What do you think of it? Share your thoughts with us!

Comparison of Official Chat Clients.

Most of us use Multi Protocol clients these days, but its good to know how each protocol service’s official client is. So… that’s what we are doing today. We will be comparing the features of AIM, ICQ, Yahoo!, Windows Live, Google Talk client, and Google Talk Gmail version. The following apply to the client’s Microsoft Windows version. Features may or may not vary for other platforms. We are NOT promoting any of this software in any way in this post.

Notes on Classification/License: Adware is not necessarily dangerous. A program is listed as Adware if they: Attempt to install software (like toolbars) that is not required for program’s functions, installs search engines, changes your default search engine, and/or displays advertisements. Homepage change may also be included.

We are only displaying the unique features and special features of the client under Pros to save space because many clients have the exact same features. Notice that most of them are adware.

I am not affiliated with the developers of these clients.

AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) v6.9: (not recommended)
Requires AOL or ICQ Screenname
Classification: Adware and Spyware

Pros:

• Social Networking Status Updates
• Real Time IM. See what your buddy is typing.
• AIM Plugins to extend your experience
• Customize buddy list with colors
• Tabbed IMs. Regroup and detach.
• Search for buddies by typing their email address.
• AIM Expressions so you can have different IM backgrounds. This is actually a protocol feature but only the client supports it
• Emoticon fireworks
• Connect with ICQ (same protocol)

Cons:

• No Log Viewer. Must view in external HTML viewer
• Heavy advertising with mouseover popup ads
• AIM Zone Pop Up upon start up by default. Covered with flashy ads.
• Force installs Viewpoint Media Player with NO option to opt out. See below for details.

Why This Program is Classified as Adware/Spyware:

• Attempts to install AIM Toolbar with AIM Search, QQGames, and AIMTunes by default, all of which is not required for AIM to function. Even if you choose to not install these, the .exe is already downloaded with the main setup and placed into your installation directories.
• Attempts to change your homepage to aim.com
• Attempts to make AIM Search default.
• Displays banner and text advertisements within the program (very heavy with some mouseover popup like ads). Also known to randomly download huge trailers for ads.
• Force installs potentially unwanted software with no option to opt out. See below for details.

WARNING! AIM and other AOL Software installs a program called Viewpoint Media Player without user consent. Viewpoint Media Player is Adware and potentially Spyware. They claim it is required to view so-called media like SuperBuddy Icons. They give no option to opt out. If you uninstall it, it will secretly reinstall itself if you have administrative rights the next time you launch AIM or the AOL product. Even the AOL browser does this. Thats not all. Viewpoint has a unique user ID and will eventually track how users interact with the media. Thats still not all.

ICQ v6.5:
Requires AOL or ICQ Screenname
Classification: Adware

Pros:

• ICQ Plugins (Xtras).
• Connect with AIM (same protocol)
• Tabbed IMs
• Chat Log Viewer
• Skins to customize experience
• Quick reply. Reply from the new IM notification.

Cons:

• ICQ Zones (like AIM Zones) pop ups on startup by default. Covered with flashy ads.
• Heavy advertising both on buddy list and IM window

Why This Program is Classified as Adware:

• Attempts to install ICQ Toolbar with ICQ Search.
• Attempts to make icq.com the homepage
• Attempts to make ICQ Search default.
• Displays banner and text advertisements within the program

Yahoo! Messenger v9.0:
Requires Yahoo! Account
Classification: Adware

Pros:

• IMVironments: Interactive IM backgrounds
• Yahoo! Plugins to extend your experience
• Skins to customize your experience
• Custom Ringtones
• Sound effects and soundtracks during Voice and Video Chat
• Audibles: Send animated talking characters to your buddies
• Yahoo! Games built in without any additional software
• Buzz Feature
• Stealth: Be invisible to only certain buddies
• Connect with Windows Live Messenger (MSN), Microsoft Office Communications Server, Lotus Sametime, and Reuters Messaging users
• Chat Log Viewer

Cons:

• Tabbed IMs not available in Windows version
• Some banner and text ads within program.

Why This Program is Classified as Adware:

• The default “Typical Install” tab hides these options. By default, Yahoo! Toolbar will be installed.
• Attempts to make Yahoo! Search default by default.
• Attempts to change homepage to yahoo.com by default.
• Displays banner and text ads within program

Windows Live Messenger 2009 (v14):
Requires Windows Live ID
Classification: Adware

Pros:

• Colorful and attractive themes (scenes) and colors
• Smooth integration with Windows
• Lots of backgrounds for individual IM windows
• Buzz Feature
• Connect with Yahoo! buddies
• Play games with your buddy right from the window without additional software.
• Drag and drop pictures to your buddies
• See Whats New in your buddies networks
• Groups: Group Chat with an entry in your buddy list
• Built in Log Viewer

Cons:

• Some banner and text ads within program.
• Today pops up by default at startup

Why This Program is Classified as Adware:

• Banner advertisements.
• Text advertisements.
• By default MSN home page and Live search default and keep default set after Windows Live Installer runs.

Google Talk v1.0: Requires Google Account (Gmail required for logging)
Classification: Freeware

Pros:

• Simplicity.
• Skinnable IM windows.
• Scrolling IM windows. Works like tabs.
• Voice chat
• No advertisements. 100% Ad Free.

Cons:

• Highly feature lacking. Too many to list.
• Last Official Update: January 2007 (v1.0.104)

We are adding the Gmail Google Talk version because that is the main version developed by Google Inc. and is one of the most popular ways people access Google Talk (Jabber/XMPP).

Google Talk Gmail Version Requires Google Account with Gmail capability
Classification: Website

Pros:

• Simplicity.
• Watch YouTube right from the IM “window”
• Video and Voice Chat with plugin
• Group Chat
• Many Emoticons in 4 styles
• Connect with AIM Buddies using your AIM Screenname
• No ads on any chat interface.

Cons:

• No IM colors.
• No advanced client features

Comparison Chart Key:

1. 1. Group Chat
2. 2. Themes and Skins
3. 3. Video Chat
4. 4. Voice Chat
5. 5. Multi-Protocol Support
6. 6. Add-ons and Plugins
7. 7. Banner Graphical Ads
8. 8. Text Ads
9. 9. Play games with buddy
10. 10. Buzz
11. 11. Chat Logs
12. 12. Built in Chat Log Viewer
13. 13. Hides Extra Software*
14. 14. Number of Additional Offers**
15. 15. Installation Size***
16. 16. My rating of the product. Ratings are relative to this category of products and are not eligible to compare to ratings on official multi protocol clients. Rating scale: 0.5 (Very Poor) to 5.0 (Superior). Note: Gmail Gtalk is Webware, not client therefore it has been rated in relation to typical web browser versions.

	AIM	ICQ	Yahoo!	WLM	Gtalk Client	Gtalk Gmail
	Adware	Adware	Adware	Adware	Freeware	Website
1	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
2	Colors only	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
3	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes ****
4	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes ****
5	No (1)	No (1)	Yes (4)	Yes (2)	No (1)	Yes (2)*****
6	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
7	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
8	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	None on chat interface
9	Requires QQGames	No	Yes	Yes	No	No
10	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No
11	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes (w/ Gmail account)	Yes
12	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
13	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	N/A
14	6 (1 are forced)	3	3	2	1	N/A
15	25 MB	51 MB	27 MB	43 MB	4 MB	N/A
16	1.3	2.9	4.0	4.5	3.5	4.7

*Hiding extra software means that the program’s installation hides extra software like toolbars under “Recommended”

**Extra offers refers to toolbars, search engines, and homepage changes that are offered. AIM’s force install of third party software is included here.

***As installed on Windows XP Professional SP3

****Requires Video and Voice Plugin

*****Requires AOL/AIM Screenname.

My Personal Opinion:

If you are new to IM and only want one service with an official client, try Windows Live Messenger or Google Talk Gmail Version. Otherwise, consider using full multi protocol clients.

I personally do not recommend the official AIM Client.

Which client would you choose?

Happy chatting!

Post Updated 6/5: I updated this post today because I realized that WildTangent was previously installed with AIM 5.5. It is no longer installed in AIM 6 in favor of QQGames for the gaming service.

WinTechpedia Software Pack

Hello all! You may have remembered our recent post on 11 recommended software. Thanks for InstallPad, the download process can be easier.

Powered by InstallPad. © 2009 Phil Crosby
No products here were created by us. We simply put together our own AppList for InstallPad.

Windows 32-bit only.
Most software will function in 64-bit, however some especially Sandboxie will not while others like 7-Zip require an alternate installer.

To start, download the file from the links below. We compressed it into a 7z Self Extracting Archive (.exe). Simply double click on the file and choose where to extract to. Then run InstallPad.exe. Administrative privileges are required. After you are done selecting you want, click Install.

Download Links:
Download (MediaFire)

This pack we created offers Mozilla Firefox, Digsby*, Google Earth**, Pidgin, CCleaner, 7-Zip, Revo Uninstaller, Sandboxie, VirtualBox, and OpenOffice.org***. Adobe Flash ActiveX/plugins have also been included.

*The Digsby installer is the offline installer, not the InstallIQ one with the offers.
**This is a Google Earth standalone installer and does not include Google Updater.
***OpenOffice.org Office Suite is a large download so it may take a while.

Notes:
We are unable to add some products like Google Chrome to it as it requires agreeing to the EULA first.
We have removed MalwareBytes shortly after posting this because the long CNET link was not accepted by InstallPad.
We have removed VLC Media Player shortly after posting this because InstallPad failed to download it.
If you encountered a download error with anything inside the pack, please let us know.

We will be adding a lot more software to the pack soon. What would you like to suggest to be in this pack? Leave your comments here.