Date of Article: 2015-04-23
Source of Article: SlideShare
I found this series of slides on SlideShare which gives pretty good advice on signing up for Twitter and using it.
W.C.
2015-05-27
Twitter 101: Getting Started
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2015-04-23
Source of Article: SlideShare
I found this series of slides on SlideShare which gives pretty good advice on signing up for Twitter and using it.
Date of Article: 2015-04-23
Source of Article: SlideShare
I found this series of slides on SlideShare which gives pretty good advice on signing up for Twitter and using it.
2015-03-14
When is your Windows PC too old and when is it time to buy another?
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2015-03-12
Source of Article: WinBeta
This article addresses a question I often hear and does so in a very clear and reasonable way.
Personally I fit in what the article calls the high class and have found I need to replace my systems on a three year cycle. My current laptop runs Windows 8.1 and my desktop is running Windows 7. The desktop is about a year older than the laptop. Right now I am holding off on buying another system until Windows 10 is available. At that time I will update both to it and then evaluate their performance to determine which I replace first. Since I do most of my work from the laptop it will more than likely be the first to be upgraded.
As the article says, those who use their systems to: browse the web, use email, use Excel for simple worksheets, and Word for small documents have a lesser need for high performance and should find themselves happy with systems no older than 7-8 years old. I still recommend that they take advantage of the free upgrade to Windows 10 when it comes out if their machines are eligible.
Those in the medium category do everything those in the low category do and add on games and multimedia players and use office in more complex ways. They need more performance than than the lower group and need a system no more than 4-6 years old. They too if eligible need to take advantage of the Windows 10 upgrade.
Why am I so in favor of Windows 10? It takes the best of the Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 interface and merges them to create what should be an excellent user interface. It brings out a new web browser which should be more secure than Internet Explorer and hopefully deliver better performance. Hopefully like the new browser Windows 10 will be more secure than its predecessors. Lastly I am looking forward to the Windows 365 subscription model which I hope to enjoy as much as my current Office 365 subscription.
Date of Article: 2015-03-12
Source of Article: WinBeta
This article addresses a question I often hear and does so in a very clear and reasonable way.
Personally I fit in what the article calls the high class and have found I need to replace my systems on a three year cycle. My current laptop runs Windows 8.1 and my desktop is running Windows 7. The desktop is about a year older than the laptop. Right now I am holding off on buying another system until Windows 10 is available. At that time I will update both to it and then evaluate their performance to determine which I replace first. Since I do most of my work from the laptop it will more than likely be the first to be upgraded.
As the article says, those who use their systems to: browse the web, use email, use Excel for simple worksheets, and Word for small documents have a lesser need for high performance and should find themselves happy with systems no older than 7-8 years old. I still recommend that they take advantage of the free upgrade to Windows 10 when it comes out if their machines are eligible.
Those in the medium category do everything those in the low category do and add on games and multimedia players and use office in more complex ways. They need more performance than than the lower group and need a system no more than 4-6 years old. They too if eligible need to take advantage of the Windows 10 upgrade.
Why am I so in favor of Windows 10? It takes the best of the Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 interface and merges them to create what should be an excellent user interface. It brings out a new web browser which should be more secure than Internet Explorer and hopefully deliver better performance. Hopefully like the new browser Windows 10 will be more secure than its predecessors. Lastly I am looking forward to the Windows 365 subscription model which I hope to enjoy as much as my current Office 365 subscription.
W.C.
2015-03-09
Lookout for attached chm files
Date of Article: 2015-03-09
Source of Article: Various tech blogs
Several tech blogs are reporting that the old Windows help-file (.chm) format is being used to deliver CryptoWall attacks in which data on the attacked PC is encrypted and held for ransom.
Sadly quite a few legitimate software packages still use this outdated format which was largely abandoned by Microsoft (though not completely) due to its many security vulnerabilities.
If you get an email with an attachment with the chm extension I would recommend that you not open it.
Source of Article: Various tech blogs
Several tech blogs are reporting that the old Windows help-file (.chm) format is being used to deliver CryptoWall attacks in which data on the attacked PC is encrypted and held for ransom.
Sadly quite a few legitimate software packages still use this outdated format which was largely abandoned by Microsoft (though not completely) due to its many security vulnerabilities.
If you get an email with an attachment with the chm extension I would recommend that you not open it.
W.C.
Windows 365 will be Windows, plus a little bit more
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2015-02-25
Source of Article: Tech Republic
Another article dropping suggestions about what we might expect Windows (365) as a service will be like.
Date of Article: 2015-02-25
Source of Article: Tech Republic
Another article dropping suggestions about what we might expect Windows (365) as a service will be like.
W.C.
2015-02-21
With the Windows 365 trademark, the Windows 10 subscription plan becomes apparent
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2015-02-20
Source of Article: TechRepublic
This is what I have been expecting to see and I for one will be signing up for it when the time comes. I've been using Office 365 since early last April and plan on renewing it this April. Not having to worry about upgrading Office again is a good thing and I believe the same for Windows will be great too.
Date of Article: 2015-02-20
Source of Article: TechRepublic
This is what I have been expecting to see and I for one will be signing up for it when the time comes. I've been using Office 365 since early last April and plan on renewing it this April. Not having to worry about upgrading Office again is a good thing and I believe the same for Windows will be great too.
W.C.
2015-01-22
These are Windows 10's new desktop features
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2015-01-21
Source of Article: The Verge
This article describes some of the features we can expect in Windows 10 and includes several screenshots.
Date of Article: 2015-01-21
Source of Article: The Verge
This article describes some of the features we can expect in Windows 10 and includes several screenshots.
W.C.
Microsoft to make Windows 10 free to Windows 7, 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 users
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2015-01-21
Source of Article: ZDNet
This is an announcement I have been hoping to see. The catch is that the offer is only available for the first year after Windows 10 is released (expected in Fall of this year).
From what I have seen and read Windows 10 takes the best of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 along with some new features (Internet Explorer replaced etc) which should result in a very nice user interface.
As the article says, this is the start a new model for the relationship between Microsoft and Windows users. Hopefully it will work as smoothly as the relationship between Microsoft and Office 365 users (I belong to this group).
Date of Article: 2015-01-21
Source of Article: ZDNet
This is an announcement I have been hoping to see. The catch is that the offer is only available for the first year after Windows 10 is released (expected in Fall of this year).
From what I have seen and read Windows 10 takes the best of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 along with some new features (Internet Explorer replaced etc) which should result in a very nice user interface.
As the article says, this is the start a new model for the relationship between Microsoft and Windows users. Hopefully it will work as smoothly as the relationship between Microsoft and Office 365 users (I belong to this group).
W.C.
2015-01-09
Win7 reaches milestone; prepare for its demise
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2015-01-08
Source of Article: Windows Secrets
Well those who dislike Windows 8 are running out of options. Windows Xp support has ended, Xindows Vista support is well into its countdown, and now Windows 7 has started its countdown. The author gives a pretty good description of the implications with an emphasis on the effects on businesses.
Hopefully Windows 10 will make the what to do question easier to answer for most users.
Date of Article: 2015-01-08
Source of Article: Windows Secrets
Well those who dislike Windows 8 are running out of options. Windows Xp support has ended, Xindows Vista support is well into its countdown, and now Windows 7 has started its countdown. The author gives a pretty good description of the implications with an emphasis on the effects on businesses.
Hopefully Windows 10 will make the what to do question easier to answer for most users.
W.C.
2014-12-24
Microsoft takes action against tech support scammers
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-12-24
Source of Article: TechRepublic, Tony Bradley
This article is good reading for people who have seen those ads on TV or the Internet which claim to be able to make your PC run as good as new and protect you from all the malware out there. If you have seen one of those ads and are considering purchasing the service I suggest you read this article first. Like the author I am glad to see Microsoft take this step.
Date of Article: 2014-12-24
Source of Article: TechRepublic, Tony Bradley
This article is good reading for people who have seen those ads on TV or the Internet which claim to be able to make your PC run as good as new and protect you from all the malware out there. If you have seen one of those ads and are considering purchasing the service I suggest you read this article first. Like the author I am glad to see Microsoft take this step.
W.C.
2014-12-12
Microsoft releases 'Silver Bullet' patch KB 3024777 to eliminate KB 3004394
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-12-12
Source of Article: InfoWorld Tech Watch
If you have a Windows 7 SP 1 system and have installed KB3004394 from the latest Patch Tuesday and it is causing problems this article describes a fix just published by Microsoft to help cure these problems.
MS claims that KB3004394 does not cause problems on Windows 8/8.1 systems. I can not personally attest to the problems or lack of problems as I am still in my personal Patch Tuesday delay mode which is always at least 6 days long and longer if I know there are problems out there through the reporting of Woody and several of his peers.
Date of Article: 2014-12-12
Source of Article: InfoWorld Tech Watch
If you have a Windows 7 SP 1 system and have installed KB3004394 from the latest Patch Tuesday and it is causing problems this article describes a fix just published by Microsoft to help cure these problems.
MS claims that KB3004394 does not cause problems on Windows 8/8.1 systems. I can not personally attest to the problems or lack of problems as I am still in my personal Patch Tuesday delay mode which is always at least 6 days long and longer if I know there are problems out there through the reporting of Woody and several of his peers.
W.C.
Does your computer have malware? Here are the telltale signs
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-12-11
Source of Article: PC World
This is a good basic article on what to look for and what not to look for and then what to do if it does look like you really have malware.
Part of my protection system has been to use the best antivirus/malware software that I can afford and then do periodic testing with three different portable scanners to verify what my first line of defense is telling me.
Date of Article: 2014-12-11
Source of Article: PC World
This is a good basic article on what to look for and what not to look for and then what to do if it does look like you really have malware.
Part of my protection system has been to use the best antivirus/malware software that I can afford and then do periodic testing with three different portable scanners to verify what my first line of defense is telling me.
W.C.
2014-11-22
10 ways mobile devices are changing society
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-11-19
Source of Article: TechRepublic
Mobile technology is changing the way we live and interact with others and this article points out 10 of the ways it is doing so and some of the positives and negatives.
Date of Article: 2014-11-19
Source of Article: TechRepublic
Mobile technology is changing the way we live and interact with others and this article points out 10 of the ways it is doing so and some of the positives and negatives.
W.C.
2014-11-21
A neverending story: PC users lose another $120M to tech support scams
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-??-??
Source of Article: ars technica
Be warned my friends, these scams are out there and this action by the government has just hit the tip of the iceberg. Four of those brand names in the next to last paragraph are familiar to me because I received their spam/scam offers. I didn't answer their offer because I was sure they were scams and this article has confirmed it for me. I hope they all get some real hard time and loose all their assets when the case is over.
What really makes me mad is I suspect that a significant part of that $120,000,000 these thieves acquired was paid by seniors living on a fixed income who just wanted to keep their PC running reliably to allow them to keep in contact with friends and family.
Date of Article: 2014-??-??
Source of Article: ars technica
Be warned my friends, these scams are out there and this action by the government has just hit the tip of the iceberg. Four of those brand names in the next to last paragraph are familiar to me because I received their spam/scam offers. I didn't answer their offer because I was sure they were scams and this article has confirmed it for me. I hope they all get some real hard time and loose all their assets when the case is over.
What really makes me mad is I suspect that a significant part of that $120,000,000 these thieves acquired was paid by seniors living on a fixed income who just wanted to keep their PC running reliably to allow them to keep in contact with friends and family.
W.C.
2014-11-06
How businesses fail to protect customer info
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-11-06
Source of Article: Windows Secrets Top Story
This article points out how many of the companies that we do business with are equally to blame for consumer's losses due to identity theft and for loss of personal information. Many companies ignore threats to their web sites and point-of-sale terminals even when companies operating similar sites of terminals are hit by data breaches. I wonder if the law required them to take the loss they caused, would they still ignore these threats. Read the article, it may wake you up.
Date of Article: 2014-11-06
Source of Article: Windows Secrets Top Story
This article points out how many of the companies that we do business with are equally to blame for consumer's losses due to identity theft and for loss of personal information. Many companies ignore threats to their web sites and point-of-sale terminals even when companies operating similar sites of terminals are hit by data breaches. I wonder if the law required them to take the loss they caused, would they still ignore these threats. Read the article, it may wake you up.
W.C.
2014-11-02
Microsoft reveals audacious plans to tighten security with Windows 10
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-10-22
Source of Article: ZDNet, The Ed Bott Report
This is very good news in my opinion. Security is often overlooked by members of the buying public when they go to get their new PC. Starting with an operating system that has more security features will make them safer.
Date of Article: 2014-10-22
Source of Article: ZDNet, The Ed Bott Report
This is very good news in my opinion. Security is often overlooked by members of the buying public when they go to get their new PC. Starting with an operating system that has more security features will make them safer.
W.C.
2014-08-07
The Best Laptops to Buy Now
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-08-05
Source of Article: Wall Street Journal
One of our members sent a link to this article to me and if I was currently in the market for a new laptop I would find it very useful. There are a few other brands that I also like but the article is still accurate and worth reading if you are in the market.
Date of Article: 2014-08-05
Source of Article: Wall Street Journal
One of our members sent a link to this article to me and if I was currently in the market for a new laptop I would find it very useful. There are a few other brands that I also like but the article is still accurate and worth reading if you are in the market.
W.C.
2014-07-09
Wzor predicts demise of Windows 8, Windows 9 to arrive in the fall
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-07-07
Source of Article: InfoWorld
Woody has long been one of my most trusted sources of where things are going in the Windows world and Wzor has been cited by him quite often and with the prediction coming true. The last paragraph in the story is very interesting and if correct could make Windows 9 acceptance the norm, especially if it includes the desktop start menu.
Date of Article: 2014-07-07
Source of Article: InfoWorld
Woody has long been one of my most trusted sources of where things are going in the Windows world and Wzor has been cited by him quite often and with the prediction coming true. The last paragraph in the story is very interesting and if correct could make Windows 9 acceptance the norm, especially if it includes the desktop start menu.
W.C.
2014-07-08
Microsoft fixes 29 Windows vulnerabilities
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-07-08
Source of Article: ZDNet
As I usually do, I will wait until next Monday (my regular weekly system update and backup day) to install these updates. By then any problems should have surfaced and I can judge if I need to skip any of the patches.]
Date of Article: 2014-07-08
Source of Article: ZDNet
As I usually do, I will wait until next Monday (my regular weekly system update and backup day) to install these updates. By then any problems should have surfaced and I can judge if I need to skip any of the patches.]
W.C.
Microsoft warns of pending support deadlines for Windows 7, Office 2010 SP1, Windows Server 2003, and more
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-07-08
Source of Article: ZDNet
Thus the official countdown begins for Windows 7. IMO Microsoft really needs to get their version of the Start Menu back for Windows 8.1. I already use an add-on one but there are several different versions out there and that makes life harder in some cases for software developers. An official Start Menu would force the add-ons to make their products compatible with it. I believe it would also speed up acceptance of Windows 8.1, especially among seniors. A couple of days ago I saw a video demo of Microsoft's vision for the menu seemed to combine the best of the tiles with a traditional start menu. It looked really promising.
Date of Article: 2014-07-08
Source of Article: ZDNet
Thus the official countdown begins for Windows 7. IMO Microsoft really needs to get their version of the Start Menu back for Windows 8.1. I already use an add-on one but there are several different versions out there and that makes life harder in some cases for software developers. An official Start Menu would force the add-ons to make their products compatible with it. I believe it would also speed up acceptance of Windows 8.1, especially among seniors. A couple of days ago I saw a video demo of Microsoft's vision for the menu seemed to combine the best of the tiles with a traditional start menu. It looked really promising.
W.C.
Scam: Funeral Announcement
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-07-??
Source of Article: Snopes
I started getting this one today. I did a little research and found the article above on Snopes. I found several other articles including two from the real Amos Family Funeral Home in Ks whose name was useed in the two emails I received. If you receive one like this my advice is to not click on the link unless you like to have your machine infected.
Date of Article: 2014-07-??
Source of Article: Snopes
I started getting this one today. I did a little research and found the article above on Snopes. I found several other articles including two from the real Amos Family Funeral Home in Ks whose name was useed in the two emails I received. If you receive one like this my advice is to not click on the link unless you like to have your machine infected.
W.C.
2014-07-07
10 tips for a more user-friendly Linux desktop
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-07-02
Source of Article: TechRepublic
Since several of our members have Linux laptops I thought this would be a good article to post.
Sorry I am so late posting this but I have been off line for almost five days due to a service outage.
Date of Article: 2014-07-02
Source of Article: TechRepublic
Since several of our members have Linux laptops I thought this would be a good article to post.
Sorry I am so late posting this but I have been off line for almost five days due to a service outage.
W.C.
2014-06-30
The top 10 Windows 8 questions everyone asks
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-06-27
Source of Article: PCWorld
Some good questions about Windows 8. I remember asking some of them myself when I got myu first Windows 8 system.
Date of Article: 2014-06-27
Source of Article: PCWorld
Some good questions about Windows 8. I remember asking some of them myself when I got myu first Windows 8 system.
W.C.
2014-06-10
New iOS 7 lock screen flaw opens up iPhones, iPads in seconds
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-06-09
Source of Article: ZDNet
I'm including this one because quite a few of our members use products effected by this flaw. My advice if you use one of these products is to make the last app before entering the lockscreen something unimportant, i.e. a single user game which does not provide access to any user information until this flaw is fixed. That way anyone with physical access to your device can not access its settings or any of your personal data or information.
Date of Article: 2014-06-09
Source of Article: ZDNet
I'm including this one because quite a few of our members use products effected by this flaw. My advice if you use one of these products is to make the last app before entering the lockscreen something unimportant, i.e. a single user game which does not provide access to any user information until this flaw is fixed. That way anyone with physical access to your device can not access its settings or any of your personal data or information.
W.C.
2014-05-21
Getting started tutorials for Windows
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-05-20
Source of Article: Microsoft
For those of you who are getting to know that new Windows 8 or 8.1 machine Microsoft has a useful set of tutorial on the web for you. I haven't read all of them but it appears that they are being updated on a regular basis and cover the basics.
Date of Article: 2014-05-20
Source of Article: Microsoft
For those of you who are getting to know that new Windows 8 or 8.1 machine Microsoft has a useful set of tutorial on the web for you. I haven't read all of them but it appears that they are being updated on a regular basis and cover the basics.
W.C.
2014-05-11
Start Menu Reviver 2 offers a better program manager for Windows 8.1
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-05-09
Source of Article: Tech Republic
Another Start Menu for Windows 8.1 that the author highly recommends and it is free. To use his words, "that if Microsoft had put something like this in Windows 8 from the get-go, they sure would have saved themselves a lot of grief." Right now I am using Classic Start Menu and I am satisfied with it but if I get a chance I mi try this one out.
Date of Article: 2014-05-09
Source of Article: Tech Republic
Another Start Menu for Windows 8.1 that the author highly recommends and it is free. To use his words, "that if Microsoft had put something like this in Windows 8 from the get-go, they sure would have saved themselves a lot of grief." Right now I am using Classic Start Menu and I am satisfied with it but if I get a chance I mi try this one out.
W.C.
2014-05-04
Internet Explorer Security Flaw: 4 Ways to Protect Yourself
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-04-28
Source of Article: Time
Good advice on how to be safe. I prefer his first suggestion.
Date of Article: 2014-04-28
Source of Article: Time
Good advice on how to be safe. I prefer his first suggestion.
W.C.
2014-04-28
US CERT and KB 2963983: Don't use drive-by-enabled Internet Explorer
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-04-28
Source of Article: InfoWorld
I am going to do something I don't often do in this blog. I am going to quote more than the title of the article.
This is the subtitle of the article: "Department of Homeland Security recommends avoiding Microsoft browser until vulnerability in IE6 to IE11 is fixed"
And this is the line that makes the warning important: "As Microsoft notes, this is a drive-by class security hole: Your machine can be compromised if you simply visit an infected site."
Based on the article I am going to advise paying attention to this warning and avoid using Internet Explorer Versions 6 through 11 until this is fixed.
Date of Article: 2014-04-28
Source of Article: InfoWorld
I am going to do something I don't often do in this blog. I am going to quote more than the title of the article.
This is the subtitle of the article: "Department of Homeland Security recommends avoiding Microsoft browser until vulnerability in IE6 to IE11 is fixed"
And this is the line that makes the warning important: "As Microsoft notes, this is a drive-by class security hole: Your machine can be compromised if you simply visit an infected site."
Based on the article I am going to advise paying attention to this warning and avoid using Internet Explorer Versions 6 through 11 until this is fixed.
W.C.
2014-04-17
Your Heartbleed bug fix in three steps
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-04-10
Source of Article: SlashGear
Some pretty good advice on how to handle the fallout from Heartbleed.
Date of Article: 2014-04-10
Source of Article: SlashGear
Some pretty good advice on how to handle the fallout from Heartbleed.
W.C.
Windows 8.1 Update
Date of Comment: 2014-04-16
Well my laptop is now running the Windows 8.1 Update but little thanks to Windows Update. I tried using it three times over two days without ever getting to download the update so I decided to try an alternate though not overly user friendly method.
I went to the Windows download site and download the five files (not quite a GB worth) which makeup the update. To be safe I also downloaded the prerequisite update but found that I had installed it last month. I also downloaded an iso file which contained the five patch files for X86, X64, and ARM processors. Three of the five patches required me to restart my system after installing them and then when the five were finished I ran Windows Update to check the status found there were three more patches to install but Windows update handled them and required another restart. All told it took the better part of a day to download and install all of it.
So far my system seems stable and all of the programs that I have run since the update are running normally. If I spot any problems I will report them here.
PS I also installed an update to Java today but it did not take long and was necessary as I do visit a few sites where Java is required.
Well my laptop is now running the Windows 8.1 Update but little thanks to Windows Update. I tried using it three times over two days without ever getting to download the update so I decided to try an alternate though not overly user friendly method.
I went to the Windows download site and download the five files (not quite a GB worth) which makeup the update. To be safe I also downloaded the prerequisite update but found that I had installed it last month. I also downloaded an iso file which contained the five patch files for X86, X64, and ARM processors. Three of the five patches required me to restart my system after installing them and then when the five were finished I ran Windows Update to check the status found there were three more patches to install but Windows update handled them and required another restart. All told it took the better part of a day to download and install all of it.
So far my system seems stable and all of the programs that I have run since the update are running normally. If I spot any problems I will report them here.
PS I also installed an update to Java today but it did not take long and was necessary as I do visit a few sites where Java is required.
W.C.
USPS Delivery Failure Notification
Link To Article
Source of Article: Scam Trends Since I have received several of these over the last few days I think posting a warning about this one might be a good idea. This scam if you follow their instructions most often installs malware on your machine.
Source of Article: Scam Trends Since I have received several of these over the last few days I think posting a warning about this one might be a good idea. This scam if you follow their instructions most often installs malware on your machine.
W.C.
2014-04-12
How to avoid the pileup malware exploit on Android
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-04-08
Source of Article: TechRepublic
I don't normally cover smart phones here but many of our members use them and for those with Android phones this is a good article to check out.
Date of Article: 2014-04-08
Source of Article: TechRepublic
I don't normally cover smart phones here but many of our members use them and for those with Android phones this is a good article to check out.
W.C.
Microsoft issues final Windows XP, Office 2003 patches
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-04-08
Source of Article: ZDNet
Those still running XP or Office 2003 will want to get these patches and evaluate their options for the future. Basically I see them as:
Date of Article: 2014-04-08
Source of Article: ZDNet
Those still running XP or Office 2003 will want to get these patches and evaluate their options for the future. Basically I see them as:
- Continue to run XP and make sure to keep good antivirus protection up to date.
- Select a Linux distribution and install it on your existing system if buying new hardware is not an option. Some distributions provide a limited ability to run legacy Windows applications. There is a bit of a learning curve but many open source programs that run on Windows are also available as Linux apps: Open/Libre Office, Firefox, Chrome, and Thunderbird are good examples.
- Find a Windows 7 system and buy it. If you still have the install disks or files many of the programs that you ran on XP can still run on Windows 7 and it has a very familiar interface.
- Find a Windows 8.1 system and buy it. If you do you might want to checkout Classic Shell which provides a very Windows 7 like start menu to W8 & 8.1.
W.C.
2014-04-03
Watch out for photos containing malware
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-03-27
Source of Article: PC World
I have seen several "images" with multiple extensions as described in the article. Often it is just a file naming convention but something with one like ".jpg.exe" is not something you want to open and that is not an example of a naming convention. I've been having windows display the extensions for files in a directory listing as far back as I can remember.
Finding images with embedded code is very difficult to do. Images already might contain quite a bit of embedded and innocent meta data, especially if they were taken with a digital camera. The advice to keep your operating system, applications, and anti-virus software up to date is a good first line of defense.
Date of Article: 2014-03-27
Source of Article: PC World
I have seen several "images" with multiple extensions as described in the article. Often it is just a file naming convention but something with one like ".jpg.exe" is not something you want to open and that is not an example of a naming convention. I've been having windows display the extensions for files in a directory listing as far back as I can remember.
Finding images with embedded code is very difficult to do. Images already might contain quite a bit of embedded and innocent meta data, especially if they were taken with a digital camera. The advice to keep your operating system, applications, and anti-virus software up to date is a good first line of defense.
W.C.
Malwarebytes 2.0 Still Tough on Malware, Now with a Pretty Face
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-03-28
Source of Article: PC Magazine
An old friend gets a new look.
I've downloaded this but will not install it until next Monday when I normally run mbam. If I see anything requiring comment at that time on either my W7 or W8.1 systems I will update this post.
Date of Article: 2014-03-28
Source of Article: PC Magazine
An old friend gets a new look.
I've downloaded this but will not install it until next Monday when I normally run mbam. If I see anything requiring comment at that time on either my W7 or W8.1 systems I will update this post.
W.C.
2014-04-02
Microsoft to bring back Start menu, windowed apps to Windows
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-04-02
Source of Article: ZDNet
I'm glad to see it coming but is it in Windows 8.1 or Windows 9? If not in Windows 8.1 then we still have Classic Shell and other options.
Date of Article: 2014-04-02
Source of Article: ZDNet
I'm glad to see it coming but is it in Windows 8.1 or Windows 9? If not in Windows 8.1 then we still have Classic Shell and other options.
W.C.
Office for iPad proves that Office 365 is the best value
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-04-02
Source of Article: Tech Republic
Interesting set of arguments in favor of renting Microsoft Office rather than buying it. If you own an iPad you really should read this.
Date of Article: 2014-04-02
Source of Article: Tech Republic
Interesting set of arguments in favor of renting Microsoft Office rather than buying it. If you own an iPad you really should read this.
W.C.
2014-03-30
Microsoft finally turns out a real touch app -- is Windows next?
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-03-28
Source of Article: Infoworld
This is outside my area of expertise since the last Apple product I owned was an Apple ][e but since quite a few of our members do use iPads I will include this one. The question at the end of the title is where my interest lies.
Date of Article: 2014-03-28
Source of Article: Infoworld
This is outside my area of expertise since the last Apple product I owned was an Apple ][e but since quite a few of our members do use iPads I will include this one. The question at the end of the title is where my interest lies.
W.C.
2014-03-27
Review: Windows 8.1 Update offers an olive branch for mouse users
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-03-19
Source of Article: InfoWorld
This review of the changes introduced by the Windows 8.1 Update 1 give a little insight into where Windows may be headed for those of us who use a desktop or laptop PC.
Date of Article: 2014-03-19
Source of Article: InfoWorld
This review of the changes introduced by the Windows 8.1 Update 1 give a little insight into where Windows may be headed for those of us who use a desktop or laptop PC.
W.C.
2014-03-20
It's Official: OneNote is Now Free for Everyone
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-03-17
Source of Article: WinSuperSite.com.
So now it is free for both Windows and Mac users. The free version is OneNote 2013 and yes there is still a paid version of it too that is more business centric but for individuals and school use the free version is more than adequate.
I've used OneNote for years to keep track of information that I gather in classes and on the Internet. I haven't tried this version as yet as I am contemplating an Office365 Home subscription for myself (driven by other Office applications) which would include the paid version and the 2010 version is handling my note taking needs for now.
Date of Article: 2014-03-17
Source of Article: WinSuperSite.com.
So now it is free for both Windows and Mac users. The free version is OneNote 2013 and yes there is still a paid version of it too that is more business centric but for individuals and school use the free version is more than adequate.
I've used OneNote for years to keep track of information that I gather in classes and on the Internet. I haven't tried this version as yet as I am contemplating an Office365 Home subscription for myself (driven by other Office applications) which would include the paid version and the 2010 version is handling my note taking needs for now.
W.C.
2014-03-19
How to edit a PDF document in Word 2013
Link To Article
Date of Article: 2014-03-17
Source of Article: Tech Republic.
Susan Harkins gives us a good review of this new and welcome capability of Word 2013. It's one of the things that has me considering a subscription.
Like her I suspect that importing PDFs into Word will improve with time. A similar problem exists when converting from Word to Open/Libre Office's format or back. This too has got better with time as will PDF conversion. Back in the day when my company was split between Word, Word Perfect, and dedicated word processing machines this was a major problem and conversions were provided by fairly expensive programs that were also not perfect but better than nothing.
I also expect that the PDF format will eventually include a spec to provide an indication if a scanned document has been modified to support using it for document archival purposes. It already has provisions for making a PDF read only with a password required to modify.
Date of Article: 2014-03-17
Source of Article: Tech Republic.
Susan Harkins gives us a good review of this new and welcome capability of Word 2013. It's one of the things that has me considering a subscription.
Like her I suspect that importing PDFs into Word will improve with time. A similar problem exists when converting from Word to Open/Libre Office's format or back. This too has got better with time as will PDF conversion. Back in the day when my company was split between Word, Word Perfect, and dedicated word processing machines this was a major problem and conversions were provided by fairly expensive programs that were also not perfect but better than nothing.
I also expect that the PDF format will eventually include a spec to provide an indication if a scanned document has been modified to support using it for document archival purposes. It already has provisions for making a PDF read only with a password required to modify.
W.C.
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