Browser Extensions: Make Your Internet Browser More Awesome

Browser Extensions and Add-Ons

When you first pulled your cell phone out of the box, you probably spent the next few hours making it uniquely yours. From selecting ring tones to choosing a photo or theme wallpaper, or downloading apps to make your Smartphone more productive or fun, the customization transformed it from “a phone” to “your phone.” You can tailor your Web surfing experience in a similar way with browser extensions and add-ons. Most are free and they allow you to personalize the look, functionality and features of Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari or Opera.

As the originator of browser add-ons, Mozilla reports that more than 85% of Firefox users have installed add-ons. Yet if you’ve never explored customizing your browsing, you aren’t alone – I was surprised to see the huge number of add-ons available through Chrome and Firefox. Firefox boasts at least 25,000 developers with add-ons and over 150,000 user-created collections. Chrome is gaining on Firefox’s numbers and while Internet Explorer offers a less extensive collection, it has enough variety to satisfy most users.

Some of the most popular categories of extensions are those that support productivity, security, interface personalization, shopping, games, integration with social media, and streaming of news and videos. Here’s where to find the add-ons supported by the most popular browsers:
Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/
Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore
Internet Explorer: http://www.iegallery.com/PinnedSites and select “Add-Ons”

Whenever I’m presented by an overwhelming selection of programs to consider, I sort by most popular. At least I can trust that a million or so users can’t all be wrong. Highest rated can be deceiving: a five star program rated by 20 users isn’t as sure a bet as a 4 ½ star program rated by 1,100 users.

With thousands of add-ons available to personalize and/or improve so many different aspects of web browsing, it would be impossible to create a comprehensive list. Here are a few of my favorites.

The most downloaded add-ons across the board are ad-blocking programs that strip banner ads, block pop-ups and disable video ads on sites like YouTube. Adblock Plus and Adblock (oddly enough, not the same program) are the two most popular ad-disabling extensions. Both programs are available for Firefox and Chrome.

As someone with a relatively bad memory who is also a proponent of improving online security, I like LastPass, an extension for Firefox and Chrome (there is a version that supports Internet Explorer but it’s not free). It stores and encrypts passwords for websites and can pre-fill forms securely, allowing you to create more challenging passwords without having to memorize them all.

I surf the net a lot, for work and fun, and inevitably find content that I find intriguing but don’t have time to read right then. Instead of adding yet another bookmark that I’m sure to never return to, I use the Readability Chrome add-on. When I come upon an article that I find interesting, I just click on the little icon at the top of my Chrome toolbar that looks like an easy chair. “Read Now” strips all the superfluous text, ads and sponsored links to give me an easy to read page. “Read Later” sends the article to my Readability account, or “Send to Kindle” lets me read it on the go on my eReader. Users of other browsers can download Readability’s “Bookmarklets” (http://readability.com/apps) to achieve similar results.

Greasemonkey on Firefox or Stylish on Chrome allow you to customize the look and performance of web pages you visit. These popular add-ons allow you to change the appearance while improving browsing on Facebook, Google, or many other popular sites.

Finally, the bargain hunter in me loves Shopping Assistant, an add-on available through Chrome, Firefox, Opera or Safari. Whatever product you’re shopping for online, this toolbar will show you similar products at other online retailers, such as Amazon, eBay, or Walmart. It even gives you an Amazon price history so you can see if waiting to buy could save you a few bucks.

One note of warning: don’t go overboard. Installing too many add-ons can slow your browser’s performance. If your surfing gets sluggish, disable or uninstall a few.

The Perils of Online Free Trial Offers

Free Trial Offers: Don't Get Scammed!

Free trial offers, particularly those that require your credit card to sign up, are like internet quicksand. The bright, shiny “Try Now for Free!” emblazoned all over the webpage lures you in. You think, “30 days is a long time. I can test it out and if it’s not something I use I can just cancel.” Before you know it, though, you spot the charge on your credit card statement for the service you forgot to use and forgot to cancel.

The Better Business Bureau included “Not So “Free” Trial Offers” on their list of Top Online Scams (www.bbb.org/top-online-scams/). Many companies make it easy to sign up and hard to cancel. Some will continue to charge credit cards even after attempts to discontinue service. But there are ways to ensure that your free trial remains charge and hassle free.



In an article written for PCWorld.com, Tom Spring signed up for and then attempted to quit 40 free trials that required a credit card number. What he discovered was troublesome. Nearly half buried the instructions for how to cancel, requiring lengthy searching to find a path to service termination. Once contact info was found, in some cases web-links to cancel online were broken, phone numbers were disconnected and email addresses incorrect. Almost a quarter required a phone call to stop automatic billing. In most cases this allowed a salesperson an opportunity to attempt to upsell continued service.
Even if you manage to cancel service before you’re charged, you’ll likely continue to be regaled by email offers from the company and their affiliates now that they have your contact information.

If you’ve read my previous articles, you’ve probably noticed that I’m a girl who flocks to free. I would never tell you to shun all free trial offers. Instead, take a few precautions before you hand over your credit card to a company you aren’t ready to commit to.

Do your homework in advance. Search the site for cancellation steps before you sign up for a trial. Pull up the site’s Terms of Service or FAQ section and use your browser’s search function to look for the keyword “cancel.” If you’re still hesitant, do a web search for “cancel XX” to see if others have reported difficulty.

Pick your card wisely

If you do elect to supply a credit card, don’t choose a debit card. Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover have consumer protections in place that will make it easier to cancel charges through your credit card company should you have difficulty terminating service with the vendor.

To be extra safe, consider picking up a pre-paid Visa, Mastercard or American Express gift credit card in a small denomination. Or, inquire with your credit card company as to if they offer single-use card numbers that will allow for a onetime charge without supporting recurring charges. PayPal offers a similar product. Be sure to confirm that use of the number is limited to one time as some card companies allow multiple charges from the same vendor. You can always update your account with a regular card once you’ve decided to commit.

Cancel at least a day early

It’s tough to determine exactly when a free trial will end. Periods typically last calendar days, so the 7-day trial you sign up for on Tuesday at 8pm will likely end Monday (not the following Tuesday at 8pm as it would seem). Don’t chance it. Set a calendar reminder for at least a full 24-48 hours before the trial is likely to end and decide if you want to continue service before you’re billed for it.

Check to make sure you’re getting the best price before you commit

Tom Spring found that some companies charge a higher annual rate to their free trial customers than those customers that sign up without a trial. If there’s a better price to be had, cancel and call the sales department (it’s almost always easy to find a phone number to call to sign up) to ask them to extend to you the lowest possible price.

Photo used by permission Better Business Bureau

Comparison Shop Your Life

Great Ways to Comparison Shop Online

While all the money-saving forums suggest you take a look at your latte habit to trim a few dollars from your budget, it's good to take stock of the things you pay for regularly to make sure you're getting a fair shake. This includes everything from your prescription medication coverage to your car insurance. We all know that prices continue going up. As much as we can't stop them, at least we can make sure what we're paying is fair.

Medical and Dental

I don't know about you, but I haven't got a clue what medical or dental procedures should cost these days, except that they're usually enough to empty my bank account. Health Care Blue Book (www.healthcarebluebook.com) can help. It's a free consumer guide to help you find fair prices for everything from surgeries to laboratory tests, tailored to your area based on your zip code. There's also a mobile app for iPhone and Android so you can price compare on the fly when you're sitting in your doctor's or dentist's office.

Prescriptions

Every month when I pick up my prescriptions, even when they’re covered by insurance, I wonder if I should be taking my business across the street for a better price. Short of calling around town, prescriptions can be as much as 90% cheaper when purchased online. PharmacyChecker (www.pharmacychecker.com) can help you decide which pharmacy is right for you. It's an independent evaluator of online pharmacies, designed to help you save money on your most-used medications. Compare prices of individual medicines, including shipping, and link directly to pharmacies through the website. They even offer pet medications!

Gas

Before you head out to gas up the car, check GasBuddy (http://gasbuddy.com/). Enter your zip code for a list of the cheapest gas prices in your area, reported by users like you who update the site on a daily (sometimes hourly) basis. Update the site yourself to help out your neighbors and earn points used to enter contests for free gas cards.

Phones

If you’re still using a landline, compare phone service rates using ABTolls (www.abtolls.com). Use your monthly bill to tailor the recommended plan to your specific needs. Enter the number of calls you make monthly and the minutes you use for long distance and local calling. Obtain information and advice regarding how to read your current long distance bill and avoid telecom scams.

Cellular services

LetsTalk (www.letstalk.com) helps you sort out all the cell phones and service plan options before you renew your contract. Purchase through their site or simply use them to shop around. Another site for all-things-cellular is Wirefly (www.wirefly.com). With a huge selection of the latest cell phones from all major carriers, you can renew your wireless contract without ever leaving your easy chair. Their satisfaction guarantee assures you can test out your new phone and service for up to 14 days before you commit.

Insurance

Insurance for your home, car or boat seems to go up every year, even if you haven't made a claim. It doesn't hurt to check out other companies to make sure you're getting the best deal. InsureMe (www.insureme.com) connects you with insurance agents in your area, helping you obtain free insurance quotes and eliminating the timely process of calling around yourself. Enter your information once and receive quotes from all the big names: State Farm, American Family, Farmers, etc. Don't forget to bundle your auto and home owners insurance for extra savings.

All else

Comparison Shopping.com (www.comparisonshopping.com) has links to comparison sites for just about anything you’re in the market for, from automotive to travel. Whether you’re looking to compare daycare providers or cable TV services, if a comparison site exists for the product or service you’ll find a link to it here. Enter what you’re looking for in the handy search function for a quick list of links to sites offering a roundup of options.

Photo used by permission Polycart

How to Stay Safe Online

Being Safe Online Made Easy

A lot of people these days have two lives: the one that they live using their body and a second one that only exists online. Facebook alone has more than 800 million accounts, which is over twice the population of the United States. However, not all of these accounts are owned by people who are looking out for you, much like in the physical world. There's no need to worry, though. It's very unlikely that you will be the subject of a specifically targeted attack, but there are some steps that you should take so that you won't ever be tricked by some booby-trap set for innocent wanderers on the internet. The first and most important rule that you should always follow is simple: don't ever assume something is secured unless you've been assured by a reliable source. With that in mind, here are some tips for each area that needs security.

Email:

Probably everyone has fallen for a fake email at some point in their life. Even us Nerds have been duped by a particularly convincing email - hackers can send emails from the accounts of our friends make it seem as if they are recommending a virus-infected link. If you get an unsolicited email from someone that you would normally trust, but seems a little out of place, it doesn't hurt to double-check with them by emailing back or texting just to make sure that the content is legitimate.

When sending an email to a lot of people who don't all know each other, make sure to put yourself in the TO: field, and then put all of the other addresses in the "BCC" field, which stands for "Blind Carbon Copy." This will ensure that the email addresses don't get passed on to others. Just like you shouldn't share others' physical addresses with strangers, you should make sure that you don't accidentally spread email addresses around. Make sure to pass this tip on to all your friends!

Web browsing:

One good tip to always keep in mind when using the internet is that once entered online, data is never truly destroyed. Be careful with any pictures you upload - a good tip to keep in mind is that if you wouldn't want your kids to stumble across it, you don't want to put it online. And if you do post something sensitive to a site that you trust, make a note of it so that if it ever comes up, you know where it came from.
When you do enter information like credit cards online, always look up at the address bar before proceeding. Instead of the normal "Http" before the address, it should say "Https." This means that the connection is secured. While you may not actually need the security, it assures you that the site is legitimate and that the information can't be passed on without your express permission.

Your information is tracked on websites that you visit via files called cookies. While they are helpful for day-to-day activities, you should delete them regularly so that if you ever succumb to malware, it can't access all your sensitive information.

Passwords:

While it may be much simpler to have one password that you use across every site, this can compromise every account you use. If malicious software is able to get a hold of one of your passwords, the hacker can gain access to all your information, including your banking account. It is best to use a different password for every site, but if you can't keep track of all of them, use different ones for your financial information than the ones you use for social networks and the like.

If you share a computer with other people, you shouldn't keep your passwords stored there. Even if you trust the other users, you don't want that information to leak out from an accident. And the same goes for writing down passwords - it's fine to do, but keep them where others can't see them.

General internet use tips:

You should lock your computer when you leave it if you work in an environment with others - and don't leave your laptop unattended when you can help it, especially in public environments.

When you're not using the wireless capabilities on your devices, you should switch off the adapter. This will both save battery and increase your security.

Finally, when you decide to get rid of an electronic device, always make sure to get rid of any data stored on it. Whether selling it or disposing it, you want to make sure that your data doesn't fall into the hands of someone you don't know.

We've posted a few tips in the past on how to stay safe on a variety of social networking sites. If you've missed those, check them out here:

Facebook

Twitter

Google+

LinkedIn

Photo used by permission moneyblognewz

Staying Safe on Google+

For those of us who have opted to use Google+, there are already a great many options such as circles that help keep your information where you want it. But here are a few tips on making sure you have complete control of your data.

Apple's New iPad Mini

Apple Unveils Star of the Show: iPad Mini

In a much-anticipated event, Apple today released a spread of new devices, highlighting and improving the smallest form factors that the company has become well-known for. Two of the devices were additions to their iPad line of tablets.

With the first viewing, our inner Nerd died a little… The iPad 4 is relatively unremarkable. Except for the fact that they have ditched the "new iPad" branding in favor of numbers again, there is little to differentiate this device from its predecessors.

So how do they get away with calling it new and improved? They did add a faster A6X processor, HD front-facing camera for “Facetime”, and a Lightning connector, which made its first appearance on the newest iPhone. Other than these minor changes, which come as a sort of slap in the face to new iPad owners, there are few improvements. So unless you just have to have the latest or are in the market anyways, experts say – wait.
However, the event finally caught our eye with the new addition to their tablet line. The iPad mini is the star of today's show. The iPad mini has a 7.9 inch screen, down from the 9.7 inch screen of its big brother. The spin, this smaller screen has the same number of pixels as the iPad 2, which makes for a higher pixel density, and therefore crisper display. The device can be held in one hand, and contains all the features of the other iPads, down to the processing speed.

With the decent and competitive price of just $329, the iPad mini promises to pose a serious competition to the other 7-inch tablets, such as the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire. Its construction is of more solid materials and has a smaller bezel, which translates to a higher device to screen ratio. Early reports are mostly positive. Both devices become available on November 2, just in time for the holiday gadget gifting season.

Apple's New iMac

iMac: “Sleek” Makeovers Unveiled: Apple’s Newest Additions

Topping today's announcements, Apple unveiled a number of new and sleek devices, including a major update to both their laptop and desktop lines.

Popularity gets a makeover: The first device is an addition to the MacBook Pro line. The "world's most popular notebook" now comes in a 13-inch size with retina display for crisp and highly detailed graphics, which also reduce eye strain. Coming in at a resolution of 1680x1050, the laptop is able to handle an impressive amount of computing, including HD video while rending audio and photo graphics. The device adheres to the same rigorous design standards as previous iterations, and is constructed out of aluminum and glass.


“Hybrid” is the New Vogue: Speaking of storage, Apple also introduced their new "Fusion Drive," which is a hybrid drive that contains both a solid-state drive for increased speed and a traditional hard drive for maximum storage. All new iMacs can be configured to contain the new Fusion Drive.

Can’t wait for the new line of sleek Apple products? The 21.5-inch iMac will be available in November, and the 27-inch version in December, just in time for the holidays.

Nerds On Call Reviews Windows 8

Windows 8: Finally, Microsoft ahead of the Curve

It's been a few years since Microsoft came out with their last operating system, and in those years there have been some big changes to computing technologies. Windows 8, scheduled to release on October 26, attempts to evolve software in a direction that is compatible with the changes that have come to the hardware world since then. So how well did they do? Even more importantly, how well does it introduce users familiar with the old methods of computing to the future that Microsoft is looking to build?

Touch screen Trends:

Windows 8 attempts to capitalize on the current trend towards touchscreen computing. The entire feel of the operating system has been redefined. The first example that users will immediately notice upon starting Windows 8 for the first time is the tutorial video that explains how to use the new operating system. When you create an account, the video explains how to "swipe in," making a gesture from the edge of the screen to trigger certain actions. Touch interactions like this have replaced many of the obtrusive buttons in previous versions, and for the first time in almost 20 years, Windows no longer has a start button.

Gone Metro:

This new design aesthetic is referred to as "Metro." Instead of the familiar desktop, with the start bar and icons, there is now a grid of colored, changing tiles. If you've set up a Microsoft account with Windows 8, your email, calendar, and contacts will be automatically added, a welcome feature. If your Microsoft account is linked with your Facebook, your brand-new computer will seem almost eerily familiar, with friends' statuses and photos already scrolling across one of the tiles on your screen.

Navigation:

Most of the navigation is obviously meant for touch devices, but translates well to the mouse, as long as you can familiarize yourself with the new gestures. Fortunately, most commands have touch, mouse, as well as keyboard commands, so that no matter what you're familiar with, you can learn quickly. Swiping from the right will bring up the "Charms," five icons for a number of basic tasks. It will also show the standard time and date, as well as battery life and network status. Unlike previous versions, the date and time are not constantly displayed on screen, which can get frustrating if you're used to it.

There’s a Store:

What is arguably the biggest change to Windows 8 is the Windows Store. Similar to the app store born on the iPhone and bred in the Android marketplace and Mac App Store, this is a centralized location from which users can download verified apps directly from the publisher. Microsoft is attempting to create a unified source for apps that look, feel, and behave the same across all devices. The reason for this is that once purchased with your Microsoft account, apps will be available on all computers that you use, including some that carry between Windows Phone 8 and the desktop counterpart. The selection is limited for the time being, but will certainly explode in the future.

Internet Explorer now Intuitive:

There are thousands of new features in Windows 8 - and it will no doubt take a while to get used to them. A few of the downsides like limited Windows Store availability will be ironed out in time. For the number of new directions that Windows 8 has gone in, it succeeds remarkably in them, and will certainly improve as Microsoft responds to consumer demands. For those who have no need of the newest technology, it's probably not worth an immediate upgrade - at least wait until "that guy who's good with computers" gives it a shot and can help you use it. But Windows 8 it certainly ushering in a new trend in computing, and does it with style.

Photo used by permission Ceo1O17

Windows 8: Worth the $40 Upgrade?

Do We Need Windows 8?

In just a few days, Microsoft will release the newest version of its flagship product: the Windows operating system. Named Windows 8, this piece of software promises to completely overhaul the PC computing experience, while adding functionality, security, and efficiency.

Didn't Windows 7 Just Come Out?

Windows 8 has been in development for three years. Earlier this year, Microsoft released the Consumer Preview to registered Microsoft users, which allowed the public to see the direction that the operating system was heading in, and allowed them to give their feedback.

On August 1, it was finalized and shipped to the manufacturing plants to be physically created and packaged for purchase. It releases worldwide on October 26, 2012.

What's Different?

The operating system is optimized for tablets, like the Microsoft Surface which releases this year, as well as the many tablet computers being made by manufacturers like Sony. The layout is more touch-based than previous iterations, and uses large colored tiles in what is called the “Metro Interface.”

The Metro interface is a full-screen management system that allows the user to keep track of running applications, check up on messages, Facebook posts, weather, and new applications to launch. It uses large colorful icons, which are geared towards those using a tablet, especially those not familiar with the technology. Microsoft promises increased usability with the new feature.

Windows 8 is the first Microsoft operating system in almost twenty years not to have the start button on screen, traditionally in the lower-left corner. It remains to be seen how consumers will react to this drastic change.

Windows 8 Has an App Store?

For those with multiple computers, such as a laptop, desktop, and tablet, the Windows Store has been added as a digital distribution platform which allows users to purchase software that is linked to their account and can be installed on any computer owned by that user. Similar to the Apple App store, it offers a centralized location to download apps that have been verified, which can cut down on security breaches.

Is This The End of Viruses?

For security, Windows 8 is equipped with the new WinRT system, which allows programs to run in a “secure sandbox.” This means that potentially malicious programs will not be able to modify the essential files of the computer, which is how viruses propagate traditionally.

On top of these changes, it comes with a multitude of new features, including Internet Explorer 10 and a host of hardware fixes, including support for USB 3.0, which allows for faster transfer of files.

How Much?

For those running an older version of Windows, all the way back to XP, Microsoft offers an upgrade for only $40, the cheapest price that they have ever offered on an operating system. However, this is only available as a digital download – the disc will cost another $30.

More than Just Computers?

Windows Phone 8 will launch three days after Windows 8, and will include many of the same features as its big brother on the phone architecture. Nokia, Huawei, Samsung, and HTC will all offer phones based on this operating system. Many of the features will be compatible between the two systems, including some Windows Store apps.

Photo used by permission Ceo1O17

Staying Safe on LinkedIn

If you use the popular networking site LinkedIn, you should take a look at this handy infographic on how to make sure your online privacy is protected while using the website.

Under-Utilized Windows 7 Features

Secret Features in Windows 7

Most of us utilize a Windows PC regularly enough that we navigate through our go-to functions with little exploration or modification. Yet hidden in the Windows 7 framework are some handy tools that you’ve likely never taken advantage of. Here are just a few of the more under-utilized tools that are already at your disposal.

Windows Logo Key Shortcuts

The Windows logo key (likely located on the bottom left of your keyboard, next to your Alt key) allows for nifty keyboard-driven functionality.

1. Win Logo Key (Win) opens or closes the Start menu.


2. Win+F opens the search function, allowing you to search for a keyword within names and contents of all files on your system.


3. Win+ D minimizes all running windows to instantly return you to your desktop.


4. Win+ Arrows allows you to resize or dock program windows. I often operate multiple programs at once, using the split screen function to view and move between programs simultaneously. This usually involves a frustrating process of moving and re-sizing minimized program windows to get them lined up with the edges of my screen, on the correct side, and expanded to the maximum horizontal and vertical dimensions to fit the viewing area. Using the Windows key does all the resizing automatically:
   
   
   
   1. Win+ Up Arrow to maximize current application. Win+ Down Arrow to minimize current application.
   
   
   2. Win+ Left Arrow to send a minimized application to the left side & expand to the edges of the left ½ of the screen. Win+ Right Arrow to send to the right side.
   
   
   
   

Upgrade your Security

Anything that saves me having to remember a bunch of complicated usernames and passwords is a good thing. Windows 7 supports biometric (fingerprint) authentication, allowing you to restrict access to your laptop and/or login to websites with your finger. If you don’t have a fingerprint scanner built-in to your laptop or keyboard, USB fingerprint readers start at around $20 through retailers like Amazon or Newegg.

If a fingertip scanner doesn’t appeal to you, Windows Credential Manager allows you to securely store usernames and/or passwords on your PC. Add “credentials” for websites or other computers on a network and Credential Manager supplies the information automatically upon visiting a recognized site. Your credential “vaults” are more secure than storing logins in your browser. Just go to Control Panel - User Accounts and Family Safety - User Accounts and choose “Manage your credentials” from the menu on the left.

Super-Charged Calculator

It may look like a basic function lightweight, but the Windows 7 calculator sports additional functionality hidden under the View menu. In addition to Scientific, Programmer and Statistics calculators, you can convert units of measurement and calculate dates (for example, it can tell you the number of days or years between two dates). The Worksheet option helps you calculate mortgage or lease payments or terms, even your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.

Remotely access another PC

It may be easy for you to show someone how to attach a photo to an email, but walking a frustrated loved one through the process over the phone, unable to see what’s on their screen, is challenging. The next time Aunt Bea can’t get photos transferred from her SIM card, have her use Windows Remote Access to give you the ability to login to her system from yours, see everything on her screen and navigate her cursor in order to quickly and easily walk her through the steps.

For details of how to grant and/or get access, check out the Windows Remote Assistance info page (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/What-is-Windows-Remote-Assistance) and review links to “Get help with your computer using Windows Remote Assistance” and “Help someone with a computer problem using Windows Remote Assistance.”

Photo used by permission Masaru Kamikura

Should You Be Cloud Computing?

Hidden Benefits to Cloud Computing

Using cloud services such as Microsoft Live SkyDrive, Amazon’s “Cloud Drive,” Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox or SugarSync to store and/or backup your data has some clear advantages. Most notably: unlimited storage capability and the reliability of offsite redundant servers maintaining multiple mirror images of your data without having to invest in costly equipment. However, moving a large amount of data to the cloud will likely require a commitment to ongoing monthly fees. There are some additional benefits that may make the investment more cost effective.

Create a personal streaming media library.

Anyone who’s amassed an extensive collection of music, movies and photos can attest to the limitations of storing it all on one computer. Transfer your files to a cloud account that supports streaming (such as Amazon’s “Cloud Drive” or SugarSync) and you can listen to or view content over the Internet without taking up space on your computer or mobile device.

Note that storing a large amount of data will likely require a large, potentially costly cloud account. Some offer unlimited account options. Utilizing the cloud service affiliated with the source of your content has advantages. Many providers (including Amazon, Google and Apple) don’t count content you purchase through their associated stores toward your storage limit. Also, only content that’s compatible with your cloud provider’s application can be streamed. If, for example, you have a lot of digital music or movies purchased through Amazon, you’ll have the most seamless streaming experience using Amazon’s Cloud Player.

Share files with friends and colleagues.

While many businesses have discovered the benefits of using a cloud account to collaborate on a project, cloud providers that support public folders offer a great way to allow friends or family to share your digital media. Pick a provider that allows you to restrict access to data by setting permissions on individual folders and/or files. Dropbox is the industry leader for easy small file sharing, supporting most software platforms and boasting a large selection of add-on apps to increase its integration with variety of other programs like Evernote and Quickbooks. However, DropBox is ill-suited to storing a large amount of data: if you surpass the 2GB of free storage, it’s expensive compared to competitors and requires that everything you want synced be saved to one folder.

Seamlessly collaborate on group projects.

Speaking of sharing files, cloud accounts that support shared file syncing make collaborating on a project much easier. Everyone working on the project has access to the most recent version of each file, eliminating the need to manually merge sections together or wait for Fred to email his changes to the group. The instant one person makes a change to the file everyone else can see the latest version. SugarSync supports password-protected shared files and folders, while allowing project participants to maintain a synced folder locally on their own computer, for when they need to work offline. Changes are updated when team members are next online and instantly available to all team members.

Remotely access files stored on your PC.

Windows Live SkyDrive has a handy feature called “Fetch,” which allows you to retrieve files saved on your computer remotely. This comes in handy when you discover that you forgot to transfer an important file or folder to your cloud account. Provided the computer with the file you need is powered on, connected to the Internet and has an active SkyDrive application installed and linked to your account, you can use a remote access function to retrieve files from your computer using any device with access to the Internet. The main drawback of Skydrive is limited file size upload which makes it ill-suited for storing video files.

Photo used by permission Fuzzcat