Tips, Tips, and More Tips

Because it’s a holiday weekend, there is not much in the way of exciting news in the tech world. So I’ve decided to serve up some articles that offer tips and ideas for making your computing even better. You will also find some free software offerings and Web sites that just might be helpful. Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend! - JRC 

7 ways to work faster in Windows 7

In Windows 7, Microsoft added a variety of features that make users more efficient and productive than with previous versions of Windows, but there can be a small learning curve for some of them.

Build a complete Windows 7 safety net

Every copy of Windows 7 includes a complete suite of backup tools. The suite contains everything you need to back up (and restore) your entire system. What’s more, after you’ve set up your initial backup, future backups happen automatically. In fact, Windows 7 makes it so easy to set up fully automated backups, it’s almost nutty not to do it.

Killer tips for mastering Google Chrome

We have a new batch of tricks to help you get the most out of Google's browser. We've split our advice this time around into three categories: using Incognito, powering up with the "about:" commands, and keeping your hands on the keyboard with a list of 30 hot keys.

The 10 Best Free Hard Drive Utilities

Here are our ten favorite free utilities for partitioning, monitoring, and optimizing hard drives (as well as a few inexpensive for-pay alternatives). Despite offering some high-end features, these downloadable programs won't bust your budget.

Free Computer & Internet Books Online

This is a listing of sites that legally offer free computer and internet related books, for reading and listening (audio). All of these sites listed have content that is legal for them to distribute and for you to download and/or read.

Apple Tells Users to Stick it When it Comes to Viruses

Yes, you read that correctly…if your Mac is infected with a virus, Apple says it is not their problem and they will not help you. Realize that thousands of Macs have been infected because so many Apple computer users believe their operating system in invulnerable to malware. So when they get a message from the so-called Apple Security Center saying they are infected, they blithely clicked on the message, download the so-called cure with a credit card, and are immediately infected with a real virus. Not only that, the bad guys get their credit card info.

I find Apple’s response despicable. For years, they have let people believe that they are immune to viruses and many people bought Macs because Windows machines were under constant bombardment for viruses. Apple never said it was, but they never denied it either. Sorry, those days are over and Mac attacks are only going to get worse.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is also under fire. A leading stock market analyst has said he needs to be replaced as CEO and that Microsoft is basically stuck in the mud under his leadership. I actually agree with him, but who would replace Ballmer? I have no idea. But some major management overhauls are definitely overdue.

Regardless of all the bad news, have a great Memorial Day Weekend. - JRC

Apple continues to tell support reps: do not help with Mac malware

How is Apple responding to the flood of customer calls about installations of the Mac Defender malware? According to multiple tech support insiders, the company has doubled down on its policy of denying any help to affected customers.

Ballmer Must Step Down, Influential Hedge Fund Manager Says

Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer on Wednesday was asked to step down by an influential hedge fund manager, an investor in Microsoft and an early critic of Lehman Bros. before the bank's collapse.

Mobile privacy: lots of Big Brothers, little clarity

What do you call software that collects and sends information about you to its developers, advertisers, and others? On a desktop, we’re likely to name it spyware. But on a cell phone, tablet, or other mobile device we call it an app — never realizing that it might be operating much like spyware.

IE Flaw Could Allow Hackers Access to your Facebook, Gmail, Twitter Accounts

A security researcher discovered a 'cookie jacking' flaw in all IE versions that could allow an attacker to steal your session cookies and then log onto your password-protected sites such as Gmail, Facebook or Twitter.

Office Tab Free

Wouldn't it be nice if you could see the all your Microsoft Office documents as separate tabs, in the same way you can see different Web sites in a browser? With Office Tab Free, you can do exactly that. I am using it and loving it. If you use Office, get this one!

Windows 8 and Some Hands on Reports

Steve Ballmer shocked everyone, including other Microsoft execs, by announcing the Windows 8 will be released next year. That mean the beta will be out later this year.  That is a surprise for sure.

Plus we have some other news and some “hands-on” reports for different products you might be interested in using. It’s a good edition, if I do say so myself. Enjoy - JRC

Ballmer: Windows 8 Is Coming in 2012

Ballmer made the announcement in Tokyo, speaking to an audience of software developers. Observers had been expecting the next version of Windows next year, but this is the first time that the company has officially confirmed the 2012 date.

Yahoo rolls out new e-mail service

The Web giant, which introduced the beta offering of its online e-mail service in October, begins rolling out the latest version of Yahoo Mail to its 284 million users worldwide today. The service is available in 43 markets and 26 languages around the world.

Hands-on with new Nook: Better than the Kindle?

The day after Kobo served up a new $129.99 touch-screen e-reader, Barnes & Noble, as expected, unveiled its own touch-screen e-ink Nook, which it's branding as "The Simple eReader." Is it better than a Kindle? Read for yourself and compare.

Hands On With Google's Music Beta Service

Earlier this month during Google I/O 2011, the search engine giant launched its long-awaited "Music Beta," a cloud-based digital locker that allows Googlers to store and stream their favorite music to the PC or mobile Android device. The company boasted a capacity of up to 20,000 songs that users can max out for free until the beta tag is finally dropped at an undisclosed date.

A Roundup of Free Online Backup Services

Online backup services allow end users to manage their data online, by having the ability to transfer and store files between a backup server and computer. Online backup has become increasingly common over the years, and is set to rise as we grow to depend more on the cloud. Online backup is more than just backup; it’s a data management tool in its own right allowing you to synchronize data on all your devices, allowing you to start a project on one computer and then resume on another without having to copy files across manually.

More Bad News for Apple Users

Hello World…I am back from my 2 week vacation in Yosemite and other places in Northern California.  Had a great time in spite of the weather, but am back in Tucson now with my shorts on again. Took lots of photos in Yosemite, most destined to become HDR photos. I will be sharing some shortly on my other blog, “Postcards.” Look for them shortly.

Not a lot of earthshaking events happened while I was away.  But security is back in the new again as Apple computers are being targeted more and more with malware. The bad guys have largely ignored Apple…until now. Sadly, the majority of Apple users think it is bulletproof against viruses and worms. It never has been. The bad guys just chose to target Windows because most of world uses it. 

Be sure and check out the last article on the best free software of 2011. You might find some useful goodies for your computer. I will be back in two days, not two weeks. - JRC

An AppleCare support rep talks: Mac malware is "getting worse"

Over the weekend, I got an e-mail from an AppleCare support rep, who was responding to my recent reports of Mac malware being found in the wild. At least one prominent voice in the Mac community dismisses these reports as "crying wolf." The view from inside an Apple call center says it's for real.

One in fourteen Internet downloads is Windows malware

Microsoft, not some third-party anti-virus company trying to drum up business, has just admitted that based on analysis gained from IE 9 use, “1out of every 14 programs downloaded is later confirmed as malware.” 

Report: Windows 7 almost five times more secure than XP

Those are the findings of Microsoft's latest Security Intelligence Report (PDF), which detailed in depth the state of software vulnerabilities, exploits, security breaches, and malware in 2010. Overall, the study found that infection rates for newer Microsoft operating systems with the latest service packs are consistently lower than those for older OSes, giving Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 the highest marks for security.

Google scraps newspaper-scanning project

Google might have near-boundless ambition, but every now and then it throws in the towel. The most recent example: a project to scan newspapers for publication online.

Amazon Sells More E-Books Than Printed Versions

Book readers are buying more electronic versions than print editions on Amazon.com. That includes both paper and hardcover printed books as Amazon's $114 Kindle with Special Offers e-reader has become a best seller. Amazon said it sells 105 Kindle e-books for every 100 print versions. But printed books are likely to stick around for some time.

The Best Free Software of 2011

Every year at this time, PCMag takes a look at what is worth installing on your PC— software that's totally free that does the job as well as, if not better, than the big boys. That's not to say programs from Microsoft, Adobe, and hundreds of other developers aren't worthwhile, but you should always be aware of your options, especially when they're free.

Watch Out Apple Fans…Bad Things are Coming Your Way

One of the big reasons people buy Apple computers is they are promoted as being safe from malware. It’s not that the operating system code is so great that malware can’t get into Apple products. Oh no, far from it. Its just that since 95% of the world uses a Microsoft operating system, Windows presents are far more lucrative target. That is about to change.  If you are a Mac user, please read story #1 so you can be prepared.

Our second story compares Microsoft Office 2010 to all the other would-be copycats, many of which are free.  A very interesting review. If you use a copycat, you might find a better one. If you spent the money for Office, read this and you will feel better.

Note: This is my last blog for 2-3 weeks. I am heading up to the SF Bay Area to visit family and friends…and a photo expedition to Yosemite. Will start back up again when I get back. If any really big stories break in the meantime, I will publish a special edition. I may not be writing when on vacation, but I still keep up. Thanks again for being a reader. - JRC

Macs users targeted by do-it-yourself crimeware kit

Watch out Mac users. You thought you were safe from malware. Not anymore. The world's first easy-to-use crimeware kit signals cyber criminals' growing interest in targeting Apple with malware

Microsoft Office 2010 takes on all comers

Ask most people to name a productivity suite and chances are they'll say Microsoft Office, but they might also name one of the numerous competitors that have sprung up. None have completely displaced the Microsoft monolith, but they've made inroads. How well do the alternatives shape up? And how practical is it to switch to them when you have an existing array of documents created in Microsoft Office? Those are the questions I had in mind when I sat down with both the new version of Microsoft Office and several other programs (and one cloud service) that have been positioned as low- or no-cost replacements.

IE users can now delete Flash cookies

Users of Internet Explorer can now get rid of those persistent "Flash cookies" thanks to the latest version of Adobe Flash and support from within Microsoft's IE. Cookies are files created on your PC and used by sites to keep track of certain data, such as site settings and usernames. All the major Web browsers let you remove cookies. But one flavor of cookie, known as a Flash cookie, doesn't get thrown out when you delete your traditional Web cookies. That limitation has triggered privacy concerns.

Free Computer & Internet Books Online

This is a listing of sites that legally offer free computer and internet related books, for reading and listening (audio). All of these sites listed have content that is legal for them to distribute and for you to download and/or read.

The 10 Best Free Hard Drive Utilities

Here are our ten favorite free utilities for partitioning, monitoring, and optimizing hard drives (as well as a few inexpensive for-pay alternatives). Despite offering some high-end features, these downloadable programs won't bust your budget.

Was Twitter the First to Report Bin Laden’s Death?

What a great way to end Sunday night, hearing the news that Osama Bin Laden was killed by U.S. black ops forces. And there he was, living the whole time in a big, specially built house in Pakistan, near a police station and military training school. And the Pakistanis claim they new nothing about it. Are they liars, or idiots, or both?

Whatever…the Internet was alive with all the news, getting even more play than the royal wedding. I heard a rumor that Apple got him because they track everybody all the time with their iPhones, but I don’t think it is true. Whatever the case, I’m glad that chapter is over, but I am sure we have not heard the last from the Al Qaida nut jobs.

Besides Bin Laden, there are some other informative stories that you might find useful.  Enjoy. - JRC

Twitter delivers news of bin Laden's death first

The news that American special forces had killed Osama bin Laden, perhaps the most wanted man in the world, first began to trickle out when the White House communications director posted on Twitter that President Obama planned to address the nation at 10:30 p.m.

Bin Laden's Death Reverberates in Media and Economy

Social media and other news outlets raced to report the demise of terrorist Osama bin Laden, and the impact was even felt in the stock market and oil prices. As TV newsmen floundered waiting for President Barack Obama to announce bin Laden's death, Twitter reported record tweet volumes. Hackers are expected to take advantage.

Speeding Up PCs with an SSD Drive

Need to speed up your PC? A solid state disk might be the answer. SSDs are next-gen hard drives that use non-volatile memory modules to store data rather than rotating magnetic platters. Another benefit: SSD drives are shock- and jar-proof. SSD is still an emerging technology, though, so firmware updates are often issued on a regular basis.

Top Menu Launchers to Look At

Sometimes the Windows 7 Start menu does not do the kinds of things that you want it to do. So here are some programs that will help you modify your tray menu system, and make it do more of what you want.

Microsoft Launches Free On-Demand Virus/Malware Scanner

Microsoft has launched a new, free virus/malware scanner, that's designed to be used if you think your computer might be infected. The program is called the Microsoft Safety Scanner. To use it, download the file, then run it on your PC. The app is portable, so doesn't need an installer. When you run it, it will analyze your computer and detect, and remove, many of the most prevalent viruses. It is not a replacement for Microsoft Security Essentials or any other anti-virus program.