free earnings

free earnings. you are loking for way to earn free money im here to help you Sell Unused Items Perhaps the one to make money effortlessly is to simply part away with items that you no longer need. Currently, it makes sense to me as I am planning to move from the east to the west coast. This allows me to make my move a lot easier as it earns me some pocket money. Craigslist: Without a doubt, it is the largest online classified ad site. Ads can be easily posted and you can sell anything or barter trade on your old stuff. eBay: Simply put, you can sell anything imaginable on this largest online auction site. Gazelle: Exchange your old cell phones and electronics for much-needed money. BackPage: Effectively a mini size Craigslist. Amazon: They are not particularly well known for this, but users can actually sell or barter trade products back to Amazon and get Amazon gift card credit in return. Lagos , Nigeria

https://fast2earn.com/_/free_earnings/r443715_Looking-for-free-earnings/Nigeria.html

Top 10 Best GPS Tracking Devices for Cars

There are several reasons you might want to know the exact whereabouts and traveling conditions of your vehicle. Maybe you’re keeping very tidy maintenance records and you want to be able to reference the performance history. If you live in an area where car theft is high, you might install one on the off chance your car is stolen, so you can track it to its exact location. Perhaps you manage a small fleet of vehicles as a landscaper, for example. If you’re a driver for Uber or Lyft, maybe you want to keep your own records of your fares.

Far and away the most popular reason for investing in a GPS car tracking device is that you are the parent of a freshly-minted driver. Teenagers, as new drivers, might report that they’re being safe at all times in your (or even their own) car, but we’ve all been that age once and we know it isn’t true. I know I was very unkind to my first car and I’m sure my mother would be horrified to know the details. I survived without any major incidents, but that doesn’t make it okay. The modules can give you piece of mind when your child is driving without you.

These devices either attach somewhere in the car or connect to the sixteen-pin, OBDII diagnostic port we discussed in our post on car code readers. In one form or another, all require a monthly subscription to support the cellular network data that beams vital statistics to your smartphone, tablet, or computer so you have real-time data on where your car is being driven and how. Some feature maintenance reminders and engine trouble code readers, as well, expanding their use.

The point of these really isn’t to spy on your teenaged driver, but to help train them to be the best operators they can. Valuable insight can be gained from how they drove on a certain stretch of road that will make them into more aware, better prepared drivers, which will help them avoid accidents in the future. For fleet maintenance, this kind of logistics detail can mean big savings in terms of route planning, vehicle upkeep, and overall strategy. They can also be helpful in the event of a crash as proof of speed, amongst other things.

If you’re looking to record the exact whereabouts and condition of your car at all times, consider our list of the top ten best GPS tracking devices for cars.

1. Zubie ZK30012M GPS Tracker

(Zubie)

First mentioned in our best gifts for car guys post, the Zubie is focused on new driver training. Safe driving monitoring includes alerts for excessive speed compared to posted limits, hard braking and acceleration, and, of course, real-time GPS tracking. There’s also a featured called Fuel Finder that will locate the cheapest fuel near you. It will send you alerts for check engine lights, worn batteries, oil changes, and low fuel. You can also integrate it with Amazon Echo so you can ask it where your car is at any given time.

Need more options? Browse more vehicle tracking and monitoring modules here.

Price: $99.95; Subscription Price: $99.95 per year

Buy the Zubie ZK30012M GPS Tracker here.

Pros:

Easy setupAbility to set up alerts to and from common placesMaintenance alertsMonthly driving reports

Cons:

User agreement may give them permission to share data with third parties (possibly a concern for any such device)Frequent app updates may be buggyNo easy way to view data on a computerDelays in data updates can reach half an hour

Find more Zubie ZK30012M GPS Tracker information and reviews here.

Read More From Heavy

Top 10 Best Car Code Readers for Smartphones

2. Spy Tec STI_GL300 Mini Portable Real Time GPS Tracker

(Spy Tec)

While we don’t condone spying of any kind, as long as you’re using these modules on your own car for the purposes of safety, the “spy” angle is really just a name. This mini module doesn’t require being plugged into the OBDII serial port in your car, so if you must hide it (from your teenager, for example), you can. The battery will last for up to two week and offers up-to-the minute tracking. The accelerometer inside detects motion and will only power the device on when moving. You can setup geo-fenced areas and receive alerts when your vehicle enters or exits that area. Up to one year’s worth of data is backed up to a cloud service.

Need more options? Browse more Spy Tec products here.

Price: $69.95 (50 percent off MSRP); Subscription Price: $25 per month

Buy the Spy Tec STI_GL300 Mini Portable Real Time GPS Tracker here.

Pros:

Battery-powered — two-week lifeTracking platform works on any device (website based)One year of data stored in the cloudReal-time tracking and accelerometer-based motion detection

Cons:

Somewhat expensive monthly subscriptionAccuracy limited to the accuracy of GPS generallyData updates are a little glitchyNo dedicated mobile app

Find more Spy Tec STI_GL300 Mini Portable Real Time GPS Tracker information and reviews here.

Read More From Heavy

Top 5 Best Emergency Car Kits

3. Optimus Real Time GPS Tracker

(Optimus)

Utilizing a very similar GL300-style tracker from the option above, Optimus have created a dedicated app for managing the data the tracker creates. Unlike the one above, this one claims to be able to send alerts for speeding, in addition to geo-fencing, battery status, and panic. There’s a version of the app for both iPhone and Android, so you don’t need to worry too much about the device. While you’re subscribed, your saved data history is unlimited so you can compare trends and rectify issues over time. They make a magnetic waterproof case for it, which is highly recommended.

Need more options? Browse more vehicle tracking and monitoring modules here.

Price: $79.95 (19 percent off MSRP); Subscription Price: $19.95 per month

Buy the Optimus Real Time GPS Tracker here.

Pros:

Dedicated appBattery-powered — two-week lifeUnlimited historical data while subscribedGood customer service

Cons:

Some tracking delaysOnly transmits data in areas with cellular coverageNot ideal for constant fleet trackingMay need to be reset regularly to work properly

Find more Optimus Real Time GPS Tracker information and reviews here.

Read More From Heavy

Top 30 Best Car Cleaning Kits: The Heavy Power List

4. MOTOsafety OBD Teen Driving Coach Vehicle Monitoring System

(MOTOsafety)

Taking the driver education approach over the spy route, this is a serial port tracker that gives you finite details over what’s happening to your car and when. There are report cards and a coaching program to help train new drivers and identify bad habits. It offers geo-fencing, of course, but also allows you to set up curfew hours that will alert you when the car is being driven at certain off-limits times. When you review the route taken, you’ll see spots where unsafe driving occurred, so you can review with your teen. Otherwise, it’s just a good GPS tracker with enhanced car information and is one of the cheaper options for that purpose.

Need more options? Browse more vehicle tracking and monitoring modules here.

Price: $56.18; Subscription Price: $19.99 per month

Buy the MOTOsafety OBD Teen Driving Coach Vehicle Monitoring System here.

Pros:

Tracking for location, direction, speed, traffic, and othersRelatively cheapComplete teen driving education course, including scores for hard braking and other bad habitsDedicated app

Cons:

Acceleration alerts are very sensitiveNotifications sent via SMSSpeed limit notifications are difficult to set correctly and make usefulApp may be relatively limited in function

Find more MOTOsafety OBD Teen Driving Coach Vehicle Monitoring System information and reviews here.

Read More From Heavy

Top 10 Best Gifts for Car Guys 2017

5. Vectu Portable Vehicle Tracker

(Vectu)

Another battery-powered unit, the strength of this one is the subscription cost. At only $15 per quarter or $50 prepaid per year, it’s significantly cheaper than a lot of options on the market. The price of the unit itself is somewhere in the middle of the range. It utilizes the myApsenta app on both iOS and Android, and offers standard notifications, either in-app or via SMS for things like geo-fence and unauthorized movement. It also comes in three colors — blue, grey, and white — so you can color code which device is for which vehicle. You do still get a history report, though it’s limited to 90 days.

Need more options? Browse more Vectu products here.

Price: $79.99; Subscription Price: $15 per quarter or $50 prepaid annually

Buy the Vectu Portable Vehicle Tracker here.

Pros:

Cheaper subscription planWorks with myAspenta iOS and Android appArm feature alerts you when vehicle moves from a specified areaGPS & GSM enabled

Cons:

Works better when device has clear view to the sky, so hiding it may be toughIf device stops working, you may need to update firmware without warningHistory limited to 90 daysTakes six hours to recharge

Find more Vectu Portable Vehicle Tracker information and reviews here.

Read More From Heavy

Top 10 Best Car Jump Starters

6. The Mileage Ace GPS Mileage Tracker

(The Mileage Ace)

This unit is aimed more at businesses whose accounting and logistics depend on accurate mileage logs. Those logs are usually generated by the driver by hand, and this replaces the need for such work, which will save time in the long run and eliminate human error. When a vehicle returns from a trip and is parked in range of a wifi network, it automatically uploads trip data without any further action. It’s not a real-time tracker, so it may be less useful for keeping a constant eye on your vehicles and driver habits, but it could still prove useful for insurance, taxes, and other documentation. This is a reliable unit with access to powerful data-compiling software — as long as you can wait until the car returns to access it.

Need more options? Browse more vehicle tracking and monitoring modules here.

Price: $129.99 (7 percent off MSRP); Subscription Price: $5.99 per month

Buy the The Mileage Ace GPS Mileage Tracker here.

Pros:

Automatic wifi uploads when in range of networksCheap subscriptionTamper-proof logs with years of history stored in the cloudMade in the U.S.A.

Cons:

No real-time trackingNo alerting or geo-fencingGPS may mislabel locationsStops are difficult to mark

Find more The Mileage Ace GPS Mileage Tracker information and reviews here.

Read More From Heavy

Top 10 Best Pet First Aid Kits & Emergency Guides

7. Linxup OBD Vehicle Tracking Device

(Linxup)

In addition to the standard features offered by just about all of these options, the Linxup gives you upgrade capability to expand your use of the tracker. The standard features include email and text alerts, integration with Google Maps, detailed reports, geo-fencing, and scheduled maintenance tracking. For incremental monthly costs, you can add on dispatching from the app, optimal route monitoring to improve efficiency, and driver ratings and report cards which will rank your fleet. Unfortunately, those add-ons come on top of an already somewhat pricy $22.99 per month for the service. Great if you can use it as a business write-off, but could get steep for smaller operations and home use.

Need more options? Browse more vehicle tracking and monitoring modules here.

Price: $56.83; Subscription Price: $22.99 per month

Buy the Linxup OBD Vehicle Tracking Device here.

Pros:

App integrationCombines real-time tracking and robust reportingEasy setupAdd-ons available for job dispatch, route monitoring, and driver report cards

Cons:

Subscription a little pricyReal-time tracking data may be delayedSome flawed devices

Find more Linxup OBD Vehicle Tracking Device information and reviews here.

Read More From Heavy

Top 50 Best Unique Gifts 2017: Your Ultimate List

8. Automatic AUT-350C Pro Gold 3G Connected Car Adapter

(Automatic)

Now in its third generation, this start-up created serial port module offers a slightly elevated service in comparison to some of the others. That’s certainly reflected in the price, but so is something else: a five year subscription. That makes this a comparatively cheap option next to some of the others on this list. Coming from tech start-up land, this integrates with IFTTT, which means you can use it with a wide variety of apps in addition to Amazon Echo and Nest, which will let you do things like turn on lights or set the thermostat depending on what your car is doing. Unlike most GPS trackers, this one also includes a car code scanner in case of check engine lights or other troubles. If you’re ever in an accident, the device will automatically contact Automatic’s customer assistance, which will call you and ask if you need emergency service or to call a personal contact. Given all those options, the price isn’t so bad at all.

Need more options? Browse more vehicle tracking and monitoring modules here.

Price: $129.95; Subscription Price: Free for five years

Buy the Automatic AUT-350C Pro Gold 3G Connected Car Adapter here.

Pros:

Companion app with emergency response serviceFive year subscription included in priceBuilt-in car code readerCompatible with IFTTT apps and products, like Amazon Echo

Cons:

Newer software may still be buggyShort stops may trigger new tripsNo ability to disable tracking or delete tracking reportsSome missed notifications

Find more Automatic AUT-350C Pro Gold 3G Connected Car Adapter information and reviews here.

Read More From Heavy

Cheap Electric Guitars: Best Guitars Under $500

9. BrickHouse Security TrackPort 2.0

(BrickHouse Security)

The new version of the TrackPort from BrickHouse includes the release of an app — BrickHouse TrackView — which gives you a satellite or map view of your vehicle’s location. Using Verizon’s CDMA network, the OBD port-style tracker wirelessly beams information to both the app and the online platform every 30 seconds at the highest subscription rate of $29.99 per month. Otherwise, you can choose push-only for $9.99 per month, five minute intervals for $19.99 per month, or one minute intervals for $24.99 per month. Speed alerts and geo-fencing are available, as are travel reports and a panic button. The first month of the subscription is free with purchase.

Need more options? Browse more BrickHouse Security products here.

Price: $89; Subscription Price: $9.99 per month and up

Buy the BrickHouse Security TrackPort 2.0 here.

Pros:

Flexible subscription ratesBreadcrumb trail of movement and geo-fencingNew dedicated appEasy setup

Cons:

Reviews from December 2016 suggest that it might not work in trucks (Note: BrickHouse Security clarified that vehicles lacking the necessary OBD connector should use the hardwired version.)U.S. use only due to CDMA network requirement (Note: BrickHouse offers international versions here.)

Find more BrickHouse Security TrackPort 2.0 information and reviews here.

Read More From Heavy

Top 10 Best Tremolo Guitar Pedals

10. AlltrackUSA GPS Vehicle Tracking

(AlltrackUSA)

While certainly not as robust as some of the other options geared toward new drivers, this module offers one feature not seen in those: speed comparison to posted limits according to the DOT. All track’s database includes 3.9 million miles of speed limit data, so many areas will be covered by this device. Otherwise, it offers real-time and breadcrumb updates, as well as curfew, geo-fence, and tamper alerts. You can choose your subscription level and thus the level of data, but it’s pretty pricey compared to some other options. The speed comparison to actual posted limits is nice, and the reason to opt for this one.

Need more options? Browse more vehicle tracking and monitoring modules here.

Price: $59.95; Subscription Price: $20.95 per month and up

Buy the AlltrackUSA GPS Vehicle Tracking here.

Pros:

Posted speed limit comparisonGeo-fencingCurfew and tamper alerts90 day history

Cons:

Expensive monthly planNo companion app

Find more AlltrackUSA GPS Vehicle Tracking information and reviews here.

CHILD LOCK APP REVIEW : THE ACCESS CONTROL APP YOU NEED TO INSTALL NOW.

Today’s kids are more connected to applications, especially games, and they use every slight opportunity they get to endeavor to entertain themselves. They sometimes don’t know their way around the phone or they are not psychologically mature enough to roam the internet on their own just because today’s internet isn’t all sunshine and rainbow.  This juvenile adventure could result in installing or deleting applications, making online or in app transactions, draining battery level, and the list goes on and on. In this post, your will learn about the merits of using a group of applications called child lock App.

 

One of my neighbor’s kids always demands my phone whenever he sights me. He wants to play games, get some selfie and inevitably he ends up draining my battery, changing my phone settings and sometimes I just have to restart my phone, because, it just starts misbehaving. Surprisingly, the cycle goes over and over, because, to make him happy, I have had to release my phone to him and the result are always the same. I know most of us have similar experience, that is why today we are gonna discuss about an app that have a dual effect ­­you can still give that kid you phone but with limited access and also, your phone still retains it functionality!

 

Child lock applications prevent kids from installing or deleting applications, accessing in-app purchases, or access music of a certain rating. Though they come from different developers, child lock apps generally comes with smart restriction access such as profile settings, content whitelists, and even daily time limits coupled with various customized settings within individual apps in order to be very specific about what sort of content kids can access e.g. In-app’s Language, or In-app purchases.

 

Now, with this application, you can always keep the kids face smiling by giving him your mobile phone and also you end up making yourself happier by keeping your settings intact, giving a parental guide to games and applications that rated above the age limit of that kid. Either you use an android, or Apple operating system, there are variety of child lock applications that meets your immediate need. Check out stores online and click download. Also there is an access control setting now comes with smartphones on both operating system.

11 QUICK TIPS FOR FIXING SLOW COMPUTERS

Hi guys! There’s nothing more annoying to me than waiting for a slow computer. Waiting for a slow, creaking, computer to churn through a simple task is one of life’s biggest annoyances. Moreso, when your daily bread depends on the efficiency of your computer, there’s nothing as annoying when it “hangs”. A tired, old PC really can make your blood boil. But sometimes even new PCs can clog up and run slowly. Computervillage.ng came up with 10 great quick fixes anyone can perform, these variety of tricks and optimizations you can perform to help increase the  speed of your computer

 

Stop unnecessary start ups

Whenever you switch on your PC some programs will automatically start to run in the background. Things like Skype and Spotify are guilty of this. All the applications running will use your computer’s memory so ditch the ones you don’t need running.

 

To do this click Start and type “Run”. In the box that appears type “msconfig” and a box will appear, at the top click the “Startup” tab listing all the applications that run when your computer starts up. Either manually untick the ones that are unnecessary or click “disable all”, but be sure to keep vital things like antivirus going.

 

Delete temporary files

Whenever you use internet Explorer all your browsing history remains in the depths of your PC. The same thing happens when you install something. It’s like never throwing away the packaging when you buy a new TV and by doing so it’ll free-up space on your system. To get rid of all this clutter open “My Computer”, select your main drive, click the “Windows” folder then open the folder inside that called “Temp”.

Run virus and malware scans.

Viruses and other malware are one of the primary causes of slow performance. Adware can bog down your computer and tie up your network connection, and viruses can make your CPU and hard disk use skyrocket. Removing any malicious programs should be your top priority, and you should always have a lightweight antivirus program installed, such as BitDefender or Avast.

Removing viruses can be a difficult process, and oftentimes it may be easier to simply backup and reinstall your operating system instead of trying to track it down and eliminate it.

Get more hard drive storage

No matter if you keep your computer tidy, if your hard drive becomes too full, it will affect the speed of your PC. If you use your system for processor-heavy tasks, such as recording video and media the likelihood will be that your drive will get chokka before you know it. Nowadays you can get mega storage drives over 1TB which is good for thousands of HD movies.

Uninstall unused programs

When you buy a new PC the chances are there are a load of programs pre-installed onto it. Old PCs can simply accumulate these over time. Most of these you’ll never use and some of them can often run in the background without you knowing, slowing your computer down in the process.

To remove these click “Start” then go to “Control Panel” then click “Programs and Features” and scroll through the list, uninstalling the ones you never use.

If you’re unsure what should stay or go, use PC Decrapifier – a free piece of software that recommends what is worthwhile or not.

Get more RAM

Have you noticed when you try to work on several applications at once, such as email, internet, and word your computer has a minor stroke when flicking between them? This is because you don’t have enough RAM. This is memory used by your PC to run the programs and can be easily upgraded (and quite cheaply) if you know where to look.

      7. Run a disk defragment

Don’t be scared by the description, it’s essentially a way to optimize your hard drive’s efficiency. To do this go to “My Computer”, right-click on the hard drive and select “Properties”. Under the “Tools” tab there should be an option to “Defragment Now”.

 

Run a disk clean-up

Spring clean your whole system using this built-in tool which looks for unnecessary large files.

To perform this click “Start” then go to All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk CleanupVacuum out the dust

If you open up your PC and you won’t believe how much dust gets sucked into it through the cooling fan. Dust can clog airflow, which is vital to keeping your system temperature down and if it overheats, its performance will slow.

Use a vacuum on a low setting to clean out the insides, but ensure the PC has been off for at least 30-minutes and it’s disconnected from the mains. Also, go easy when you’re poking around in there as you could dislodge some important cables.

Reinstall or upgrade your operating system.

Sometimes, the best way to improve performance is to simply wipe the slate clean and start from scratch. Reinstalling Windows will clear your hard drive and improve performance. Upgrading to a newer version of Windows will often increase performance as well, though obtaining a newer version will set you back about $100.

If you can, try to format and reinstall your operating system at least once per year. This will ensure that your computer is always running at optimal speed.

Many people are put off by the thought of the time investment needed for reinstalling their operating system. If you have a good backup system already in place, you can have your computer formatted and your operating system reinstalled in about an hour. When it comes to reinstalling your old programs, you’ll probably find that you actually used less than you thought.

       11. Buy a new PC

Simple advice, but most effective if you’ve got a PC that should be cashing-in its pension. With the rise of tablet PCs and the low cost of components, prices of new laptops and desktop computers are so much more affordable than years ago. Save yourself a heap of trouble and think about it. We have a wide range of affordable laptops on our website. Shop Now!!!

GMAIL TRICK YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT CAN AVERT A MISTAKE.

The Undo Send feature is something that Google talked about implementing last year. However, you can now try it out for yourself on regular old Gmail by following these simple steps.

STEP ONE: click on settings button on the right.

STEP TWO: scroll to labs while in settings.

STEP THREE: under some crazy experimental stuff scroll down carefully until you see the undo send feature and click on enable.

FINAL STEP: send a message to test feature.

 

Click undo and you get to start afresh or add what you left out.

Please let us get comments if you tried it.

6 THINGS YOU SHOULD PROBABLY DO TO SET UP YOUR NEW LAPTOP

Got a new laptop? Don’t just switch it on and start using it until you’ve read our simple guide to making it safe, secure and speedy first.

If Santa leaves a new laptop in your stocking this Christmas, you probably will spend some of the festive season setting it up.

However, don’t just switch on and start using it – you may be leaving yourself open to online security risks. Instead, once you’ve activated Windows and created a system restore DVD (if required – not all new laptops offer this), you should then follow this simple six-point checklist before you do anything else.

Since it’s difficult to buy a new laptop with any other operating system at the moment, we’ve assumed you’re using Windows 8 on your new laptop and are already connected to your home network. The same steps still apply to all freshly installed or just-activated versions of Windows, but the specific actions for each will differ.

Step 1: Run Windows update

The very first thing you should do when you finally see the Windows 8 Start screen is run Windows Update. Your new laptop may come with the older Windows 8.0 installed, but the latest Windows 8.1 update improves upon it in many ways – and it’s a free download.

Even a laptop with Windows 8.1 will be out of date by the time you open its box, however, so it’s important to download and install the latest security fixes and other updates from Microsoft before you do anything else.

At the Windows 8 Start screen, open the Charms bar by moving the mouse pointer to the top-right of the screen and click the Search option.

Type windows update into the search box and select Check for updates from the list of results on the right of the screen.

When Windows Update opens, click the Check now button and wait while Windows checks what updates are available.

When the check has finished, click View details. Tick the box for Select all important updates and click the Install button. You may need to restart your laptop after this first round of updates, but you should repeat the update process until no more important updates are found.

 

Step 2: Turn on Windows Defender

Microsoft’s anti-malware application, Windows Defender, is built into Windows 8, but it may be disabled. Laptop manufacturers often disable because they bundle free trials of other anti-malware software – software that you don’t need.

 

So the next step is to check that Windows Defender is enabled and protecting your computer, regardless of what other anti-malware software is installed.

Back on the Start screen (press the Windows key to return to the Start screen), type windows defender – you no longer need to open the Charms bar now that Windows 8.1 is installed. Select Windows Defender from the list of results on the right of the screen.

When Windows Defender opens on the Windows Desktop, click its Settings tab. Click Real-time protection on the left of the window, tick the box to turn it on in the right of the window and click the Save changes button.

 

Click the Update tab and click the Update button to download any Windows Defender updates.

Finally, click the Home tab, select the Full option and click the Scan button to scan your for malware. Just because your new laptop is fresh from the factory doesn’t mean it hasn’t picked up malware from somewhere, so a ‘just in case’ scan now will prevent problems later on.

Step 3: Install a different web browser

Microsoft is no longer legally required to offer a choice of web browsers when you activate Windows for the first time. So unless the laptop maker has installed something else, the only browser you’ll have will be Internet Explorer.

This may or may not suit, but there’s nothing to stop you downloading and using a different browser – though you’ll still need to use Internet Explorer to get it.

 

Step 4: Set up user accounts and parental controls

Unless you’re the only person who’ll be using your laptop, we strongly recommend setting up different user accounts for everyone else.

Back on the Start screen, type user accounts and select Add, delete, and manage other user accounts from the list of results at the right of the screen.

Click the Add an account option to create and configure another user account. Windows will ask for the other person’s email address, so that it can save their settings and use them on other Windows 8 PCs. This is optional, however, and you can instead click Sign in without a Microsoft account at the bottom of the screen to create a ‘local’ account that’s unique to your laptop.

 

You’ll also see an Add a child’s account option here. Click this and you can enable parental controls for any children that use your laptop. These include blocking which web sites they can access and the controlling when they’re allowed to use the laptop. See guide on how to set up parental controls in Windows 8 for more information.

 

Step 5: Switch to Desktop-first mode

Windows 8 was criticised for making the Start screen view the default view when you boot your laptop and hiding the more-useful Desktop mode behind a keyboard shortcut.

Windows 8.1 (which should be installed after Step 1) changes this and lets you boot straight to the Desktop, if you desire. To do this, press Windows + D to switch to Desktop mode, right-click the Taskbar and select Properties.

Click the Navigation tab on the dialog box that opens and tick the box for When I sign in or close all apps on a screen, got the desktop instead of Start. Click the OK button and you can now click the Start button on the Desktop, or press the Windows key, to return to the Start screen at any time.

Step 6: Uninstall unwanted software

Laptop manufacturers are paid to install software from third parties, no matter how useful it is. This ‘pre-installed software’ (to use a polite term) can include anything from free trials of anti-malware applications (see Step 2) to web browser toolbars that serve no useful purpose.

While wasted hard disk space is seldom a problem on most new laptops, pre-installed software can slow a computer down and cause conflicts with other, more desirable, applications. So our advice is to get rid of anything you don’t recognise or want.

Back on the Start screen, type uninstall and select Uninstall a program from the results on the right of the screen.

When the Programs and Features dialog box opens on the Desktop, select applications from the list one-by-one and click the Uninstall button to remove them.

If deleting the unwanted junk leaves your laptop without much else installed, take a look at our guide to the best free software for your PC – there’s plenty there to get you started.

TOP 10 TIPS FOR EVERY SAMSUNG PHONE OWNER

Using a Samsung Galaxy phone can make me feel like I’m on a treasure hunt. There are so many hidden features that it can be somewhat overwhelming finding the ones that will truly enrich your experience, versus the ones you should leave in the sand. Consider this guide your treasure map. Most important, I’ll show you how to use the features that will save you time and help you get the most out of your device, whether you own a Galaxy S4 or S5, a Galaxy Mega or mini, or a Note 3.

From customizing those Quick Settings and using your phone as a TV remote, to making certain pictures private, these are the 10 tips every Samsung phone owner should know.

Change your Wi-Fi network and other settings in fewer steps

One of the things I love about Samsung phones is Quick Settings, which lets you toggle everything from Wi-Fi and Airplane mode to Screen Saver and Multi Window. But you can do more than that.

Say you want to change the Wi-Fi network you’re connecting to. Just press and hold the Wi-Fi button in the Quick Settings drop-down menu and you’ll be brought right to the Wi-Fi settings menu. Same thing goes for Bluetooth and other settings.

Run two apps on the screen at once

Samsung has been guilty of throwing lots of gimmicky stuff at the wall (see Smart Scroll and Smart Pause), but Multi Window is an underrated and underappreciated feature. With this function turned on, you can run two apps on the screen simultaneously, giving you serious multitasking power. Plus, you can move content from one window into another.

To get started, make sure Multi Window is turned on in the Quick Settings Menu. Then swipe the tab on the left edge of your screen to the right. Now drag app icons from the tray that appears in the top and bottom windows. Now you can attach a photo to an outgoing email just by dragging and dropping it, or browse the Web while you check your texts.

 

Speed up your phone

Not a fan of waiting? Disabling the home button shortcut for Samsung’s voice assistant, S Voice, will speed things up. You’ll notice much less of a delay when exiting apps. That’s because your Galaxy Phone is waiting for you to tap the home button twice to turn the feature on–every single time you press it.

To add more time back to your life, double tap the home button to active S Voice, then touch the three dots in the upper right corner and tap settings. After that, all you need to do is uncheck the box that says, “Open via the home key.”

 

Customize the Quick Settings menu

The whole point of Samsung’s Quick Settings menu is to save you time, so it’s in your best interest to take a little bit of time to customize it to your liking. Travel a lot? Then you’ll want the Airplane mode button front and centre. Want to save every last bit of juice? Then you’ll want to prioritize Power saving mode or (if you own a Galaxy S5 or newer phone) Ultra power saving mode. I personally prefer S Finder, which helps you find apps, file email and perform other things on your device.

To make the S5 more your own, swipe down from the top of the screen, then tap the grid button in the top right corner. Next, you’ll tap the pencil button (edit). From there, you’ll be able to drag and drop shortcut buttons to whichever position you like.

Keep those backlit keys always on

Maybe you’re a new Galaxy phone user trying to remember what button does what. Or you just hate peek-a-boo. Whatever the reason, there are a lot of people who don’t like that the keys beneath Samsung’s display automatically turn off after a few seconds. If you’d prefer that these keys always be backlit when the screen is on, it’s easy to do something about it.

Start by going to Settings and selecting Display. Scroll down and tap “Touch key light duration.” Now select “Always on.”

 

Keep certain pictures and files private

This tip is for only Galaxy S5 owners (so far), as it’s the first Samsung device to feature Private Mode. This mode lets you protect certain photos and other files you specify from prying eyes. You’ll be able to see these files while in Private Mode, but once turned off, no one else will be able to access your stuff.

The easiest way to activate Private Mode is to tap the Private Mode icon in the Quick Settings menu after you drag your finger down from the top of the screen. You’ll then be asked to identify yourself, either via password, fingerprint, pin or pattern. Once Private Mode is activated, you can select one or multiple files and then select the menu button in the top right corner (three dots), then tap Move to Private.

 

Go one-handed

As much as I like that Samsung supplies larger screens than the iPhone, I sometimes find it annoying to stretch my thumb across the screen to reach an icon or number on the dial pad. Samsung addresses this issue with its one-handed operation feature, which shrinks the entire display down to a more manageable size. It’s also easy to exit this mode, so you can get right back to watching that blockbuster.

Go to the Settings menu and select One-handed operation. Next, toggle the button to on. To activate this mode, slide your finger in from the right edge of the screen and back to the edge in a relatively swift motion. To exit, just hit the top right corner of the shrunken display.

 

Control your TV

A lot of us use our smartphones while we watch TV, but I bet a lot of Galaxy phone owners don’t know they can use their handsets to control it, too. The Smart Remote feature on several Samsung devices (powered by Peel) leverages the IR blaster on top to control your TV to change the channel just by tapping your display. The app also makes it easy to see what’s on–great for when you don’t feel like channel surfing.

It’s pretty easy to set things up. You just select your region (U.S.), cable provider and then personalize recommendations–if you wish–based on your viewing preferences. There’s a separate short setup process for controlling your TV or set-top box.

Voice control to take photos

Whether you want to take more selfies (I won’t judge) or you just want to eliminate camera shake when you snap that important group photo, your Samsung phone can help. With a simple voice command you can activate the shutter. Choose from “Smile,” “Cheese,” “Capture” or “Shoot” for taking pictures or just say “Record video” for capturing footage. These commands work whether you’re using the back or front camera.

To activate Voice control for the camera, open the camera app and tap Settings. Then scroll until you see the Voice control option and select it to turn it on. When taking photos, your Samsung phone will tell you to keep the phone steady as it processes your command, which happens fairly quickly.

 

Help the keyboard learn from you

There are lots of reasons I like Samsung’s phone keyboards, including the dedicated number row and predictive text feature, which tries to guess which word you’re going to type next. But you don’t have to stop there. With the Personalization option, you can make your Galaxy keyboard sync with your Contacts and other apps, like Facebook, Gmail and Twitter.

This functionality is somewhat buried. You’ll need go into Settings>Language and input. Next, tap the Settings icon next to the Samsung keyboard. On the next screen, tap Predictive text, then scroll down to select which Personalization features you’ll want to enable.