Ciao…for Now

Not a lot of super hot tech news today, except that the European Parliament vetoed the ACTA treaty, which is really great news for all of us. Once again, an all-intrusive government plan has been stopped in its tracks by the people. Hooray for us.

For those of you excited about upgrading your computers to Windows 8, Microsoft has put together one heck of a deal…$40 to upgrade your Windows 7, XP, or Vista systems to Windows 8 Pro. I can feel your joy from here.

As always you will find some terribly helpful thoughts and tips here. So scan today’s stories carefully. Please note that this will be the last Rants and Raves for about a month. I am going on an extended vacation and photo expedition, mostly in California. I shall leave the heat and the monsoons of Tucson in my rear view mirror. But not to worry, I will be back in August sometime. If something big happens, I will let you know with an emergency broadcast. So keep one eye open when I am gone. -JRC

The European Parliament Rejects ACTA

Back in January, 22 European Union states, and the EU itself, signed the controversial ACTA treaty, which many argued could lead to severe restrictions on freedom and civil liberties on the Internet.. Now, the European Parliament has soundly rejected it. Thank God for protesters.

Windows 8 Pro Upgrade to Cost Just $40 During Special Promotion

Microsoft announced on Monday that it will allow users of Windows XP, Vista, or 7 to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for only $40 as part of a special promotion when the new OS becomes generally available later this year. This is, by far, the lowest upgrade pricing Microsoft has ever offered for Windows, and an exceptional value.

Bring on the Pablet: Why I am bullish about Microsoft's Surface

Call it a tablet, a PC, a Pablet or a TC: All I can say is so far, the Microsoft Surface is my best hope for something that may make Windows 8 more palatable.

Wall Street Journal Reports iPad Mini is On Its Way

Unnamed sources told the WSJ that the smaller-screened tablet, dubbed “iPad mini,” will likely be smaller than 8 inches, which sounds about right since previous rumors have claimed that the smaller iPad will be 7.85 inches.

When Will Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) Get to Your Smartphone?

It may take a while because the biggest obstacle to smartphone upgrades is the handset makers and cell phone carriers.

Wait for the iPhone 5 or go Google Android?

The latest Google Android devices on the market are impressive. And with Google's latest software release, it's hard to imagine that Apple will come up with anything to top it. But should you wait for the new iPhone anyway? Here's some advice.

Some ugliness installing an after-market SSD

If you are thinking about installing a solid state drive in your existing computer, you might want to read this article first so you know what to expect. It can be done, of course, but it may not be easy.

Create A Collage From Your Own Photos

Here's a great way to turn 2 or more of your favorite digital photos into a collage. You can also use the free program Picasa, which I use to create collages of my work.

TSR Watermark Image Software Download

TSR Watermark Image Software is watermark image program software that can add digital Watermarks to all your images, photos and pictures in the background with the transparency you decide.

Windows Firewall Control - Free

Windows Firewall Control is a simple bit of freeware that extends the capabilities of the built-in Windows firewall controls. It adds icons and entries to the system tray, desktop, and other locations; adds shell integration in Explorer menus; and other options.

Facebook and the Government…Both Out to Get Us

It’s certainly a bad thing when Facebook changes your profile settings without your permission. But its even worse when some Facebook users find their smartphones’ contacts address are changed. Facebook claim it’s a software glitch, but I want to know why they have access to my phone books. Something stinks here. And if you want to send me an e-mail using my Facebook e-mail…don’t bother…I will never see it.

Then, there’s the government at it again…just read story #2 and you will see what I mean. Still, you will find some good info here in this edition. Check out the story about the best places to store your photos on-line. Also, if you get a chance, think about seeing the movie, “Steve Jobs, The Lost Interview.” I saw it in a theater last week and found it absolutely fascinating. Now you can see it in your home.

Anyway, onward and upward. - JRC

Facebook phone app attempts to seize ALL YOUR MAIL

Facebook has found an innovative way to encourage use of its email service: reach into users' mobile phone address books and change the email addresses stored against each contact to their Facebook email account. What???

The U.S. Government Asked Twitter To Hand Over Users' Data 679 Times So Far This Year

Monday was a busy day in Twitter's fight to expose and resist the government's efforts to hoover up its users private data:

Where we stand — and are going — with Windows 8

Work on Windows 8 is in the home stretch, but predicting its success is still pure speculation — probably more so than with any previous Windows release. Microsoft’s announcement that it will build and sell its own Windows 8 computers just adds more drama to an already opaque roll-out schedule.

Microsoft Renames Windows Explorer to File Explorer

The latest little tweak that we’ve discovered is quite minor, but relevant none the less. Microsoft have no renamed the “Windows Explorer” to “File Explorer“. However none of the functionality of it has changed what so ever, it’s merely just a name change.

Google's Nexus 7 douses Kindle Fire

Google's $199 media and entertainment tablet slays the Amazon rival with pure Android and a Chrome browser

Google convinced the FAA to change its rules for I/O skydiving stunt

If you saw the ridiculously cool Google Glasses stunt that sent a handful of skydivers plummeting towards the ground to deliver a special package during the company's I/O conference keynote, you were probably just as stunned as the rest of us.

Comparing the best ways to store your photos online

Find out which photo storage and sharing site best suits your needs with this deep dive into the top online photo services.

Data plans: Which one costs you less

Verizon Wireless has shaken up the familiar data plan with shared-data options, but is it the best deal for you? Not always

10 Skype Chat Tricks for Power Users

Because we spend a bit of time chatting on Skype, we thought we’d share some fun tips. Whether you want to know how to edit sent instant messages, change the display font or use some awesome “hidden” emoticons, we think we’ll have a trick to suit you.

Steve Jobs: The Lost Interview Available To Rent From iTunes Store

The interview was originally conducted in 1995 by former Apple employee Robert X. Cringely for the TV series Triumph of the Nerds, but only 10 minutes of the footage was actually used in the show. The rest of it was presumed lost until the original tape was rediscovered weeks after Steve Jobs passed away. PS: I saw this one last week at a theater…definitely worth seeing.