All Narfed Up photography and words by Bryan Villarin

Someone I know has been having problems with his computer, and I have to pass it along here. I’m not feeling up to the task of troubleshooting, so I hope someone can help him out.

My internet is running terribly slow. The other computer on my network is running normal and every website opens up super fast. However, for some reason its taking forever for my computer to load every webpage. When I download stuff, I get regular speeds and my downloads are rather quick; it’s just [the] loading [of] webpages that is slow. I followed the advice you gave me awhile back on how to solve my spyware problem - I followed those directions step by step again and it found nothing. I also ran a virus scan with Norton and it found nothing. I have no clue what is wrong. I have about 8GB of space left on my hard drive so its not that and my computer works perfectly fine just the internet loads crazy slow.

The article he’s referring to is a forum post on removing malware/spyware. Other than WinSock XP Fix (freeware), I’m not sure what else to recommend. If you have any suggestions, please leave a comment and I’ll pass it along to him. Thanks!

I’m switching from Gmail to using Mozilla Thunderbird since I found out my webhost has IMAP installed. I don’t need all that space for email anyway. Here goes nothing:

1. In Gmail, “Enable POP for all mail (even mail that’s already been downloaded)”
2. When messages are accessed with POP, “archive Gmail’s copy“
3. Read “Why wasn’t all my mail downloaded?“
4. Configure Thunderbird for Gmail
5. Leave Thunderbird open to download all my email from Gmail’s servers
6. Setup Thunderbird for my server’s IMAP account
7. Create an archive folder on my IMAP account, so I have someplace to move the email I download
8. Set Gmail to forward email to my IMAP email account; disable POP email
9. Add a nice theme and some extensions, then enjoy!

After settling in, I’ve created some filters that’ll be moving messages to more distinct folders. I’m feeling comfortable now.

I don’t want to say why I’m doing this switch. There’s pros and cons to using a webmail app (like Gmail), IMAP, and POP. Fortunately, with my host, I have all three options. SquirrelMail isn’t great, but if I absolutely can’t use Thunderbird, it gets the job done until I get to one of my computers. Then when I connect, everything is just the way it’s supposed to be in my email account. In any case, if I’m happy, that’s all that matters, right?

Oh yeah, Gmail? It’s not goodbye - it’s more like, see ya later…

People ask me how I download TV shows so easily. I’ve written about it before, so if you still don’t understand, maybe Slyck’s Guide to BitTorrent will help!

One of my posts, which asks readers how I can repair IE 6 without a Windows XP CD, has gotten a large amount of comments (for me, at least). In particular, Keith’s comment suggests using WinSock XP Fix:

I have used it after fixing several machines with spyware installed. 90% success rate at re-establishing internet connectivity.

He also lists some programs he uses to clean spyware off systems. Thanks Keith!

I’m using Thunderbird instead of Gmail right now. (More about this later.) For now, I just had to write this out. Quick File is an awesome extension that I wish I would’ve seen before I purged and sorted 73MB-worth of emails (with lots of attachments). I’m not seeing much documentation, so basically, press Alt+Q, type the first couple letters of the folder you want to move the email message(s) to, choose it with your arrows, then press Enter. No need to use a mouse for this one - awesome.

I was reading Lifehacker’s Special “Train others how to use email“, and my eyes were opened. What do I mean?

Edit the subject line - I knew that I should use subject lines that actually pertain to the email. It didn’t exactly occur to me that I should edit their subject line if they use a vague one. Then again, I think I don’t do that because within Gmail, the message thread will go into a different one.

Facilitate complete responses - I usually don’t write messages outlined in the article, but I suppose it’d help immensely if I wrote emails in that manner. I also don’t reply inline with emails. If it’ll help everyone, I suppose I should.

Respond after a few hours - This is perfect. I was probably making myself look better than I really could be by replying as quick as possible. I definitely think I set my bar too high with some coworkers, and actually, I think that’s why my boss replies to emails the way he does. *sigh*

Get outside the inbox - I have friends that sometimes have a lot of drama…over the internet. I think if they would’ve done things in this manner, where they call the person instead of continuing the battle over the internet, maybe the discussion would’ve been lighter.

Anyways, I won’t rewrite the whole article. If you use email, read it and be enlightened!

Technically, I would’ve gotten my Sleevecase yesterday, but it couldn’t just be dropped off on my doorstep. I ordered last Thursday, it shipped Friday night, and came in Tuesday. If Monday wasn’t a holiday, I think it would’ve came in that day instead!

Anyways, I’m very impressed! I love the materials used, the huge strap - everything about it. I mean, I don’t know what more to say. Go to the Sleevecase page, look through it, and order with confidence that you’ll get exactly what you want.

The whole feel of ordering from WaterField Designs was so…comfortable. Maybe even a bit personal? The sales receipt even had a hand-written “Thank you”. That’s cool.

I didn’t get any extras because at the moment, I’m planning on just using it with my backpack. Before, I had a Dell carrying case, so I had to carry two things around, since I carry my backpack for everything else. Now, I’ll just be carrying one bag. So awesome! (Here’s more pictures…)

I’ve switched from ZipTorrent to µTorrent. Scary looking, but it seems much better. I barely changed the settings. Beauty and the Geek S02E01, come to Bryan!

I asked less than a month ago about laptop sleeve recommendations. I didn’t get any. Oh well! I went off by myself, site to site, until I came across one that looked promising. I would’ve gone with Shinza, but their customer support is lame. Lame! I asked a question two days ago, and haven’t gotten a reply yet. They could’ve had me, but not anymore.

So, I came across WaterField Designs (SFBags.com). Well, I’m impressed! After looking through their site for about 15 minutes, I’ve placed an order for a SleeveCase. Nothing extra, for now. You can expect a review as soon as it comes in.

And no, I still haven’t bought that new hard drive…

I got to thinking about Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, especially after reading “Why We Resist the Weekly Review and Plan“. Basically, I’m slacking, but I’m hoping that this will the be turning point where I decide to do something about it. (more…)