If you’re like me, for one reason or another you may end up with several images in your Digg profile. And, you’re having a tough time finding out how to delete these images. So I posted this right after I figured it out.

1. Go to your Digg Profile page.

2. In the right hand column on your profile page choose the ‘View All Photos’ link.

3. Choose (left click) the image you want to remove.

4. In the right hand column of the page choose the ‘delete image’ option.

There you go…

I’ve seen many times where people (myself included) had trouble getting their Virtual Hosts configuration to work properly. There are several issues that can keep a Virtual Host from working, but many times the problem is directly related to the Virtual Hosts file itself.

Below is an example of a Virtual Hosts file that is working properly on one of my localhost testing servers via XAMPP on a Windows 7 Machine. This file will work the same directly in Apache from within Linux as well.

I’m not saying it’s the best configuration, I’m just saying it works. Anyway, I hope it helps someone.

All you have to do is change the paths, server names and whatever else is custom in your situation.

NameVirtualHost *:80

<VirtualHost *:80>
  DocumentRoot C:/xampp/htdocs
  ServerName localhost
</VirtualHost>

<VirtualHost *:80>
  DocumentRoot "C:/xampp/htdocs/wordpress.local"
  ServerName wordpress.local
  ServerAlias www.wordpress.local
  DirectoryIndex index.php

CustomLog "C:/xampp/htdocs/wordpress.local/logs/access.log" combined
ErrorLog "C:/xampp/htdocs/wordpress.local/logs/error.log"

<Directory "C:/xampp/htdocs/wordpress.local">
    Options Indexes FollowSymLinks
    AllowOverride All
    Order allow,deny
    Allow from all
  </Directory>
</VirtualHost>

##Second Virtual Host

<VirtualHost *:80>
  DocumentRoot C:/xampp/htdocs
  ServerName localhost
</VirtualHost>

<VirtualHost *:80>
  DocumentRoot "C:/xampp/htdocs/modx"
  ServerName modx
  ServerAlias www.modx
  DirectoryIndex index.php

CustomLog "C:/xampp/htdocs/modx/logs/access.log" combined
ErrorLog "C:/xampp/htdocs/modx/logs/error.log"

<Directory "C:/xampp/htdocs/modx">
    Options Indexes FollowSymLinks
    AllowOverride All
    Order allow,deny
    Allow from all
  </Directory>
</VirtualHost>

In the case with Ubuntu 10.04 beta 1 64-bit guest on a Windows 7 host, and in some other situations, the VirtualBox Guest Additions may not install automatically.

Possible problems during manual install of VirtualBox Guest Additions:

Error: sh can’t open VBoxLinuxAdditions-amd64.run

Also make sure Dynamic Kernel Module Support (DKMS) is installed on your Linux guest: sudo apt-get install dkms

The biggest problem I have seen with installing Guest Additions manually is that we tend to assume we should change directory (cd) to cdrom or cdrom0. You must cd to the directory the guest additions are actually in. In my case it was:
/media/VBOXADDITIONS_3.1.6_59338

So after you choose to ‘Install Guest Additions…’ under ‘Devices’ in the VirtualBox Menu, navigate to the /media folder in your Linux Guest OS and observe the name of the mounted folder the Guest Additions are actually in. It will also be the same name as the ss the VBOXADDITIONS Shortcut on your Guests Desktop (if it appeared).

After you cd to the right directory it’s a piece of cake.

Steps Involved:
1. Choose ‘Install Guest Additions…’ under ‘Devices’ in the VirtualBox Menu. NOTE: You may have to mount the VBOXADDITION image before being able to proceed. It will be visible in your file browser menu sidebar inside the guest OS. Just right click and choose mount.
2. Open a Terminal window in your Linux Guest and cd to the folder containing your VirtualBox Guest Addition files.
3. Type ‘dir’ (without quotes) to display the Directory contents.
4. Copy and Paste the correct Additions file after the command: sudo sh

Below is a successful installation example copied from Terminal inside the Linux Guest:

timothy@ubuntu64:~$ cd /media/VBOXADDITIONS_3.1.6_59338
timothy@ubuntu64:/media/VBOXADDITIONS_3.1.6_59338$ dir
32Bit	     VBoxLinuxAdditions-amd64.run    VBoxWindowsAdditions.exe
64Bit	     VBoxLinuxAdditions-x86.run      VBoxWindowsAdditions-x86.exe
AUTORUN.INF  VBoxSolarisAdditions.pkg
autorun.sh   VBoxWindowsAdditions-amd64.exe
timothy@ubuntu64:/media/VBOXADDITIONS_3.1.6_59338$ sudo sh VBoxLinuxAdditions-amd64.run
[sudo] password for timothy:
Verifying archive integrity... All good.
Uncompressing VirtualBox 3.1.6 Guest Additions for Linux.........
VirtualBox Guest Additions installer
tar: Record size = 8 blocks
Building the VirtualBox Guest Additions kernel modules
Building the main Guest Additions module ...done.
Building the shared folder support module ...done.
Building the OpenGL support module ...done.
Doing non-kernel setup of the Guest Additions ...done.
Starting the VirtualBox Guest Additions ...done.
Installing the Window System drivers
Installing experimental X.Org Server 1.7 modules ...done.
Setting up the Window System to use the Guest Additions ...done.
You may need to restart the hal service and the Window System (or just restart
the guest system) to enable the Guest Additions.

Installing graphics libraries and desktop services components ...done.
timothy@ubuntu64:/media/VBOXADDITIONS_3.1.6_59338$

For many of us, finding our new computer hard drive divided into four primary partitions is a surprise say the least. In my case it was a HP Pavilion dv7 3085dx Notebook with a partition scheme as such: SYSTEM, OS, RECOVERY, and HP_TOOLS.

It’s not so much how the hard drive comes from the factory, those of us who create our own partition schemes, for our own reasons, know how to customize our drives to meet our personal needs. But add in the new recovery method used by most manufactures these days (recovery partition with an option to make a set of recovery disks) along with the fact that most of the programs and utilities on the other partitions are of some value and our options become confusing and limited.

What the recovery disks actually do.

My main questions were: Do the recovery disks I created restore all aspects of the computer back to the original factory state, including the partition scheme? Making the recovery partition disposable. Or, will the recovery disks expect to see the original partition scheme and get hung up? After a lengthy online search, which surprisingly turned up no definitive answer, I had a productive talk with HP support and the answer was as I suspected. The recovery disks will completely restore the computer back to the original factory state, including the original hard drive partition scheme.

Okay, this meant that I could partition the hard drive to my liking, and the worse thing that could happen was that everything would go back to its original state if I had to use the recovery disks. Whether or not you would want to do a full recovery this way after repartitioning would depend on your reasons for customizing your partitions in the first place. Files can be backed up and restored. However a more complex scenario such as dual booting operating systems would be another story.

You certainly would not have to recover your system with the default restore disks. You could simply create your own recovery option using hard drive slash partition imaging or cloning software. Keep your files backed up along the way and your good to go.

Dealing with it.

Personally I decided it was not worth the hassle (for now anyway) and came up with my own solutions to meat my needs. NOTE: If you decide to remove the RECOVER and HP_TOOLS partitions be sure to backup the SWSETUP & HP folders on C drive. And even though the recovery disk set you make (you did or are going to make them right?) will restore all partitions, you may also want to Backup the RECOVERY and HP_TOOLS partitions if it is convenient.

Problem 1:
I prefer keeping data files like my documents and pictures on a separate partition from Windows and programs. This has to do with ease of recovery from a Windows repair, how often files are accessed and differing fragmentation re-occurrence with different file types. I also feel that large files such as video, virtual hard drives and such, should be kept on separate partitions. I don’t like large video and virtual machines being tossed around the hard drive every time Windows needs to be defragmented.

Solution 1:
There was nothing I could do about keeping one type of file separate from another since I was stuck with this huge partition containing the operating system and everything else. However I happen to use Diskkeeper 2010 (no affiliation). Anyway, Diskeeper has an option to exclude files and folders you don’t want to be defragmented. This helped me with only one aspect of this problem but it was good enough for me.

Problem 2:
I use Linux as much as I use Windows. Since I decided to avoid repartitioning my hard drive, I could not run a dual boot system.

Solution 2:
I went virtual using VirtualBox. I loose some of the benefits of running Linux but it suites me for now.

There are other options in dealing with factory state partition schemes. Some obvious and some not so obvious. Hopefully this post has helped someone in some way. I was happy just learning what the recovery disk set actually did, so there would be no surprises.

FTC Compliance Disclosure: There is no connection between me and any product listed in this post. I have not been paid or otherwise compensated. These are my own opinions.

The tips below have been tried and proven. They worked for me in my circumstances. Unfortunately, many times there is more than one possible solution to fix any given problem. It shall be your own responsibility to ensure that any information provided on this page meet your specific requirements. :>)

How to Install a Font in Windows 7

There are several ways to install a font in Windows 7, this is the quickest method:
Right click the font file and choose install.

Adobe Acrobat Reader will not print in Windows 7

Solution: Go to ‘Contol Panel’ → ‘Devices and Printers’ and make sure that ‘print to file’ (Microsoft XPS Document Writer) is not set as default. If it is, set your printer to the default printing device by right clicking and choose ‘Set as default printer’.

No valid ip address – Windows 7

If Windows 7 can’t repair your connection via the Network and Sharing Center, this notice could have many solutions. After trying all of the usual ones this worked for me:

1. Go to Start → All Programs → Accessories → Command Prompt – right click Command Prompt and choose ‘Run as administrator’

2. Enter: netsh int ip reset reset.log and hit Enter. The results in Command Promt should be:

3. Restart your computer.

4. Leaving the network cable plugged into your computer, disconnect your modem / router from its power supply for at least one minute. NOTE: You may or may not need to shutdown your PC as well. If so, wait until your modem / router reboots completely before starting your computer.

5. Reboot your modem / router and then start your computer (if you shut if off ). With some luck you will be back online.

VirtualBox Linux guest on Windows host goes blank after logging in.

If your Linux guest goes blank showing only the top and bottom of the Linux desktop: Try choosing ‘Cancel’ when the ’switch to seamless mode’ window opens (see image). You are already in seamless mode and your virtual desktop will load.

The Chkdsk.exe program does not start correctly on a Windows 7 based computer.

Windows 7 Check Disk may also freeze at 1 second countdown.

Solution 1:
1. Reboot your computer into safe mode and schedule a disk check from there.

2. Reboot again and Chkdsk.exe should start and finish.

Solution 2:
If that does not work (which it probably will) there is a hot fix available at the Microsoft support site: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/975778

The tips below have been tried and proven. They worked for me in my circumstances. Unfortunately, many times there is more than one possible solution to fix any given problem. It shall be your own responsibility to ensure that any information provided on this page meet your specific requirements. :>)

Change the default admin WordPress login name

Option 1:
1. Using your MySQL admin program (ie: phpmyadmin), find and select your WordPress database
2. From your WordPress database, find and select the wp_users (or whatever_users) table and then click the browse icon
3. Locate admin and click the edit icon
4. Under the user_login column, change admin to your new WordPress admin login name and then click go

That’s it, you should now be able to login with your new administrative WordPress login username.

Option 2 – SQL query (mind the changes – YourDatabaseName & NewLoginName):

UPDATE `YourDatabaseName`.`wp_users` SET `user_login` = 'NewLoginName' WHERE `wp_users`.`ID` =1 LIMIT 1 ;

Delete WordPress post revisions from MySQL database.

SQL query:

DELETE FROM wp_posts WHERE post_type='revision';

Turn off WordPress post revisions

Add the code below to wp-config.php under “define(‘DB_COLLATE’, ”);”

define ('WP_POST_REVISIONS', 0);    //  TURN OFF POST REVISIONS.

Enable comments on a page – Thematic Theme

This example was used in the Thematic theme. However it may be similar in other themes.

To enable comments on a page:
1. In your editor go to the Page menu and expand the Custom Fields box
2. In the Custom Fields box, add a new key with the text: comments
3. Add any text for a value (some text must be included for the key to save). For this I also used: comments
4. Click Add Custom Field to save the key and value
5. Then under (Discussion) on the same page, make sure Allow Comments is checked
6. Comments should now be enabled on that page

★ See example images.

Maybe this is common knowledge to some, but I just discovered it lately. I needed to reinstall a test server and an already established WordPress test site on this server. I thought, can I eliminate a few steps in this procedure simply by copying files back to the new server without actually running wp-install.php, importing the database, re-enabling widgets etc., etc.. So I proceeded copying backed up files to the server.

For me this involved Apache server and MySQL database on localhost. After installing the server, configuring, setting up the virtual host and such, I simply:

1. Copied the old folder with the database file (which I had backed up along with my exports) back to the (in my case) mysql/data folder.

2. Copied the backed up WordPress site folder along with any other needed files/folders to the original location on the server.

And that was it. When I fired up phpMyAdmin it recognized the WordPress database. When I typed in the URL and sent the browser to fetch, my local site returned in it’s original condition. End of story.

If you’re use to desktops and have never researched the notebook computer technologies, making an informed decision can be extremely frustrating to say the least. In the end I got just what I wanted (what I needed anyway) and I am happy. In fact I am writing this post on it. I nearly settled for less by rushing the buying process and trying to save a dollar or two. Don’t let that happen, you’re going to spend a pretty good chunk of change regardless, so you may as well end up happy with no regrets.

Help

I can certainly help if you’re the same kind of buyer and have similar computing needs as me. Then again, if you’re not the same kind of buyer and have different needs than I do, my choices may still enlighten you in regard to what you do or do not need/want.

Narrow Down Your Search

You will find that the huge selection of makes and models shrink considerably as you narrow down your search by making a list of your wants and needs in regard to hardware, software, notebook size and such.

I think that deep inside, most of us know what we really want. There was a machine selling for over two thousand dollars sitting next to the notebook I ended up buying. I wanted it really bad and for a moment actually considered buying it, but that would have been silly. Unfortunately, cost does matter to most of us.

Choices – making a list

First I made a list of what I could live with in a notebook computer, and then a list of what I actually wanted. As you can imagine the price difference was huge, but I knew that my new notebook computer was in the middle of this price range.

This made me aware of two things.
1. I wasn’t going to get exactly what I wanted because I refused to dish out that kind of doe.
2. I was going to spend more than I had planned because I needed a certain amount of performance.

Here is what I wanted going in:
• Display: large – 17.3 or larger.
• Video: graphics card with dedicated memory – no on-board graphics.
• Audio: decent sound card and speakers.
• Processor: 2 or 4 core 64bit with virtual technology (AMD or Intel)
  I ended up going with the Core i7 CPU by Intel.
• 4 to 8 GB RAM – preferably the newest DDR3.
• A healthy array of external ports.

I also wanted to buy in person rather than have my new notebook computer shipped. I didn’t like the idea of my computer going through any more shipping than it already had been – not after seeing what some of my Christmas packages looked like last year. To bad there wasn’t a new notebook computer in one of them.

Nothing on this list needed to be extremely high end. This small list narrowed down my search to an acceptable number of notebooks. It was then just a matter of what was in stock and available.

The end result – my new notebook computer

The end result for me was a nice, fairly high end workstation/entertainment center. Just what I needed and most of what I wanted. I spent more than what I had planned in the beginning, but far less than what I would have if I had not listed my wants and needs in the list above and started my research from there.

I decided on the HP Pavilion dv7-3085dx. And after three weeks of nonstop work and play, it’s done me right and I am pleased. I hope this has helped you in some way. Happy computing…

FTC Compliance Disclosure: There is no connection between me and any product listed in this post. I have not been paid or otherwise compensated. These are my own opinions.

All of this is fairly new to me. When I first started using the Internet, sites like Facebook, MySpace and Digg were just getting started and Twitter was not yet founded (started as a side project in March of 2006).

Twitter was a hit with me from the start. The mechanics fit my personality, allowing me to say what I wanted and then move on. And the information available in the form of tweets, was easily found and categorized by who I chose to follow and creating lists. It is by far the fastest means of sharing and gathering knowledge I’ve ever seen. I also found it to be just plain fun.

Twitter had the most profound effect on me. The experience was humbling to say the least.

I must say that the people I found there changed the way I view my little corner of the world and made me wonder where I’m actually going in life. Especially in regard to blogging and business online. Good timing I suppose, since I recently wiped the slate clean and started over. I mean, some of these people and organizations really have their act together, pure class and very influential. And here I am, just starting out with my little blog and a few online business opportunities. The experience was humbling to say the least. I was amazed that some of them actually followed me.

My Twitter etiquette in regard to tweeting, following and following back.

How I Tweet: I tweet and retweet about things I value. In other words, I don’t tweet just to tweet. Although I do make an effort to say something every day when possible.

How I Follow & Follow Back: I found many of the people I follow by searching Twitter for things I wanted to learn about and from other peoples retweets. I check each of my new followers profile and look at their bio, tweets and website. If they have a website that I find useful, but they tweet and retweet about things I find to be useless to me, I will bookmark the website but will not necessarily follow back. So, if I do not follow you in return via Twitter, I may be following your website. I would have to say that your tweets are what I go by in regards to following you on Twitter.

Follow me on Twitter: open in new window/tab | open in same window tab

Interesting Reading & Resources

Links open in new window/tap.
Social Media vs. Social Networking: What’s the difference?
The Twitter Guide Book At Mashable.com

This is a fairly brief description on what to look for in online business opportunities, but they are foremost in my mind. Your thoughts and recommendations would be appreciated.

You can read more about my involvement with business online on the About page of this site.

Business Opportunities I’m affiliated with: Opportunities page.

∗ Support – The company should be accessible. Communication with other associates and an active support forum are good signs.

∗ Established methods for your success should be outlined.

∗ Access to upline and/or downline (if applicable).

∗ Commission Tracking – real time reports showing everything earned to date. Payment methods and payment times should be clear.

∗ Membership fees and other. – Member fees can be justified in many conditions. You can’t always expect to earn money without an investment. Affiliate programs and other online business opportunities have overhead. Not all affiliates / associates are active and successful (dead weight) and some costs can overwhelm a business if enough revenue is not being generated.

Membership fees can also be justified if some kind of benefit to insure your success is made available. It costs money to run a business and in many cases it takes money to make money. An example would be if the company hosts websites and/or other promotional aids to help you succeed (a detailed back office for instance).

∗ Work only two hours a week – No selling – No dealing with customers – Make millions – No way…

Your thoughts and recommendations would be appreciated.

Resources

Avoiding Common Work at Home Scams