The way to get around this is taking advantage of how the routers handle picture files.  Typing in http://www.google.com/.jpg brought up the 404 google page bypassing the redirection.  http://www.google.com/search?.jpg also worked.  This “exploit” should work for most “light” sites like google and slashdot but an intensive site like gmail may not work.  Just add a ?.jpg at the end of the url and it should bypass the redirection page.  Not 100% but hey, you get what you pay for

For easier browsing a greasemonkey script can be used below.  (Note you must have a browser that supports javascript add-ons like firefox with the greasemonkey add-on.)

http://userscripts.org/scripts/source/32896.user.js

Did this work for you?  Let us know in comments below.

• Amazon
• Blockbuster
• Blogger
• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• Flickr
• FriendFeed
• Last.fm
• Netflix
• Pandora
• Picasa Web Albums
• StumbleUpon
• Tumblr
• Twitter
• Typepad
• WordPress
• Yelp
• YouTube

What’s nice is that Swurl will retroactively seek out all your old posts and filter them in.  Each post is set up by your day of activity, so if you didn’t add anything to any of these services there simply won’t be a post. One of the most usable features is you can also view your entire stream of activity in a large calendar, called a “timeline.”
An easy yet highly customizable feature is that it allows you to drop your own custom css to tweak the colors, style and look of your SWURL.

Post a link to your Swurl below and tell us how you like it.

Don’t remember how to get there?  Visit our previous post

• To auto Complete URL while typing in the address Bar
  browser.urlbar.autoFill=True
• To set the number of auto complete URL in the address bar
  browser.urlbar.maxRichResults = #
  (# indicates the number of auto complete URLs shown. The default is 12)
• To disabler Browser Toolbar Tip
  browser.chrome.toolbar_tips = False
• To paste copied content by clicking the center button on the mouse
  middlemouse.paste = True
• To disable blinking text
  browser.blink_allowed = False
• To create a single close button to for all Firefox Opened Tabs
  browser.tabs.closeButtons = 3
• To increase number of recently closed tabs
  browser.sessionstore.max_tabs_undo=15
• Right click view source in your editor
  view_source.editor.external=True
  view_source.editor.path= Path of Editor
• To enable fast scrolling across tabs
  toolkit.scrollbox.scrollIncrement =75
• To stop displaying website icon in address bar and on the tabs
  browser.chrome.site_icons = False
• To enable spell check in text fields
  layout.spellcheckDefault = 2
• To speed up the browser
  network.http.max-connections 30 to 96
  network.http.max-connections-per-server 15 to 32
  network.http.max-persistent-connections-per-server 6 to 8
  network.http.pipelining false to true
  network.http.proxy.pipelining false to true
  network.http.pipelining.maxrequests 30 to 8
  network.http.pipelining.ssl false to true
  network.http.proxy.pipelining false to true
• To disable annoying browser behavior
  Change the following values to ‘false’
  dom.disable_window_open_feature.titlebar
  dom.disable_window_open_feature.menubar
  dom.disable_window_move_resize
  dom.disable_window_open_feature.toolbar
• To show more tabs on single window
  browser.tabs.tabMinWidth = 75

You can find more technical details about the about:config settings at Mozillazine

MUST HAVE FIREFOX ADD-ONS

Colorful Tabs
Makes Tab Viewing even simpler if that is possible.  Tabs will be displayed in different colors for your viewing pleasure.

Downthemall
One of the greatest download manager extensions available.

Better Gmail 2
Add useful extra features and skins to Gmail, like hierarchical labels, macros, signatures, file attachment icons, and more.

Fastdial
This is one of my favorite features ported over from Opera into Firefox with this great add-on.  Fast access to your favorite sites through thumbnails, like Opera Speed Dial.  Fast Dial replaces “about:blank” page with a panel of thumbnails of your favorite sites. Click on an empty cell, assign a site URL, click OK – a thumbnail will be generated for a site. You can also add sites opened in browser or existing bookmarks by right-clicking them and choosing “Add to Fast Dial” from context menu.

Flagfox
Flagfox shows a flag icon in the status bar indicating the current website’s server location.  Provides quick access to information about the country of origin, as well as the ability to lookup the site’s registrant via Whois.

Flashblock
Never be annoyed by a Flash animation again! Blocks Flash so it won’t get in your way, but if you want to see it, just click on…

Foxmarks
If you use Firefox on more than one computer, you’ll want Foxmarks. Install Foxmarks on each computer, and it will keep your bookmarks synchronized. You can also log in to my.foxmarks.com to manage your bookmarks from any computer.

FoxyTunes
FoxyTunes lets you control almost any media player and find lyrics, covers, videos, bios and much more with a click right from your browser.

ForcastFox
Highly customizable weather forecasts from AccuWeather.com, displayed in any toolbar or statusbar.

Google Toolbar
Gives you the ability to search Google from a toolbar, access gmail, auto fill forms and several other features.

Greasemonkey
Allows you to customize the way a webpage displays using small bits of JavaScript.
Hundreds of scripts, for a wide variety of popular sites, are already available at http://userscripts.org.

Gspace
This extension allows you to use your Gmail Space (4.1 GB and growing) for file storage. It acts as an online drive, so you can upload files from your hard drive and access them from the internet.  It’s great for storing/sharing files with your friends. Also very good to backup photos and music files (as you can view/listen to them from Gspace).

PDF Download
PDF Download relieves the pain experienced when encountering PDF files on the Web. Whenever you click on a PDF file, PDF Download lets you know before trying to open it, and then offers you choices such as downloading, opening, or converting it straight to HTML.

Sxipper
Forget your passwords! Sxipper accurately fills in forms, manages passwords and your OpenIDs.

Webmail Notifier
WebMail Notifier checks your webmail accounts and notifies the number of unread emails…
Supports : gmail, yahoo, hotmail, daum, naver, empas, nate and mor

It doesn’t do any good to have that new HD receiver plugged into your plasma with an s-video cable.  If you have a new system and just not sure how to hook it up properly don’t call Geek Squad or Firedog, log onto wirewize.  Still in beta wirewize brags the following features.  Need cheap cables?

• See which cables you’ll need for best picture and sound
• Get customized hookup instructions for your specific components
• Add new components anytime with no connection hassles
• Save money over unnecessary in-home service calls.
• Catalog of thousands of electronic devices
• Detailed product information
• Downloadable user manuals
• Product image galleries
• Manufacturer and industry resources

How does it work?

• Step 1: You enter your electronics by brand and model
  
• Step 2: Wirewize lists the cables you’ll need for best picture and sound
• 

• Step 3: The Setup Wizard gives you exact setup instructions

• 
• Remember for your cable needs don’t be ripped off at the electronics store.  Order high end cables by clicking the link below at 80% off retail price.
• 

MINT

Mint.com is a free personal finance service which has over 250,000 users managing over $10 billion in transactions.  Designed to be effortless, Mint.com takes less than five minutes to setup.  Mint then does the work for you securely downloading transaction data from more than 6,500 bank, credit card and investment accounts on a daily basis.  Mint also does a great job of properly categorizing transactions making it easy to see where your money is going.  Mint will alert you of low balances, bank fees (no more hidden fees), upcoming bills, and potentially suspicious account activity while providing personalized suggestions for significant savings opportunities.  It is no wonder that this service was rated top in its category by PC World, and PC Magazine!  Try it out and tell us what you think.  MINT.COM

BUXFER

Buxfer, which name is a derivitive of the words bucks, and transfer is another well known online financial manager.  They also provide an effortless way to track your money and know where it goes..  It also has an easy way to settle your IOUs with friends.  With access via SMS, email, Twitter, and the web it makes staying up-to-date with your finances easy wherever you go.  A great feature included with Buxfer is that if your bank account isn’t supported by their auto-sync feature (List of supported intitutions), Buxfer offers a firefox add-on called Firebux which can automate the process of downloading your bank statements and uploading it to your Buxfer account.  BUXFER.COM

Dream up a phone with the following features:

• 1 number that never changes and that rings all your phones
• Screen callers
• Listen in on a call before picking up or listen while voice mail is being left and jump in.
• Record calls on the fly and access online
• Block unwanted callers
• Email or SMS voicemail notifications
• Have 1 number that rings different phone numbers based on whos calling
• Personalized greetings
• Personalized ringtones
• Ability to have someone call you through a webpage without showing your number
• Switch phones in the middle of a call
• More, more, more

Grand Central which was aquired by Google is your answer and its FREE!  Still in beta if you are able to get in is well worth it allowing you ro regain the simplicity of one phone number while retaining the features you enjoy.

Magic Jack

For those still paying for landline phones I ask why oh why oh why?  One of the best VOIP (Phone through your internet) solutions is Magic Jack.  Unlike its competitors Vonage, & Sunrocket it is only $20 a year… no that wasn’t a typo its $20 a YEAR!  It is a rather clever device that offers unlimited VoIP calling over the Internet in North American for $39.95 for the first year and $19.95 for subsequent years, and includes voice mail, 911 support, caller ID and free 411 service.  The magicJack is a USB dongle about the size of a box of matches. The phone jack on its side allows a connection to regular telephone handset. Windows XP and Vista are supported, and also a beta firmware for OS X.

Over the years I have used a variety of remote support tools from basic vnc to the built in Windows Remote Support tool. Below are 2 that I have found to be not only FREE but the easiest, and most useful.

Crossloop
Crossloop is a simple secure screen sharing service.  Great for a quick remote session that is easy enough for Grandma to use.  Here is a video tutorial.

iRemotePC
Web based Remote Desktop Support Service
Control any PC without pre-installing software on the remote side.

IRemotePC by far has the most features of any remote support tool I have come across yet.  Not only does it have file sharing service but you are able to sync folders as well.  This use to be a 100% free service but now is worth the subscription and pay per use fee.  Take a look at IremotePC in action with their free trial and you won’t be dissapointed.

To enable it, type about:config in Firefox 3′s address bar.  You will see the following message below and just go ahead and click the “I’ll be careful, I promise!” button.

In the Filter field, type gfx.color_management.enabled and set that value to true (its default value is false).   You will need to restart Firefox for this to go into effect.

I have to admit that I have been quite pleased with IE7 and preferred it over Firefox 2 but I feel as though once again I will be switching favorite browsers.  I have also been beta testing IE8 as well as Opera releases but this post is a celebration meant for only one browser Mozilla Firefox 3.0  With over 3 years of testing and development the final release has finally arrived!

Here are some new features that are beneficial:

• Speed and performance:  Firefox3 by far is alot faster than IE7.  They are using a new rendering engine that reduce memory leaks or cycles.  I am not one to believe performance graphs provided by review sites but I can personally see a difference in speed with Firefox 3.  This is of course once the browser is open.  The startup times from a cold start in Firefox unfortunately are still slow compared to IE7
• Frecency:  This I have found to be one of the neatest features.  As you are typing an address in the address bar it uses a a combination of frequency and recentness—to determine the best suggestions.  I have found this to be quite helpful and can even type just a part of the URL into the browser and be taken directly to the site.
• Updated bookmarks bar, smart bookmarks, download manager.

Don’t take my word for it though, try it yourself! Firefox can be downloaded below.