The NSA May be Literally Watching You

The verbal threats of Osama Bin Laden after 9/11 keep haunting my memory. His stated goal was to destroy the United States…and while just crashing airplanes into the twin towers and the Pentagon wouldn’t do that, the reactions of our government since then are a credible threat to what once was a great country. Osama’s goals are being carried out by our own government!

Since those horrible days, the US has spent billions, if not trillions, on invading two middle eastern countries and threatening other countries...and we accomplished very little. We are horribly in debt and our economy is threatened.  But one of the most egregious threat to our freedom is the nearly complete loss of privacy because our own government spying on its own citizens.

The NSA reading our e-mails and listening to our phone calls has been well documented here and other places. But now there is a new intrusion…the NSA has been using our own webcams on our own computers to spy on us. Don’t believe me? Read our first story.

Somehow I just can’t get angry as I used to. My emotions about the future of America are spent. I am helpless to stop any of this nonsense. My only hope is I will be long gone from this earth when the collapse comes. But, till the grim reaper come a knockin’, I continue to document these technological privacy threats here in this blog. It’s all I can do. Sorry to sound so negative, but, like you, I am helpless as I watch our wonderful nation being destroyed from within.- JCR

 

News and Opinions

The NSA may not be listening to your private phone calls, but it has been watching your private parts

The U.K. and U.S. government's ability to tap into webcams — and directly into your living rooms and offices — shows the biggest and most blatant lack of respect for people's privacy by Western governments in living memory.

Turmoil at Microsoft; implications for Windows users

Microsoft in general and the Windows group in particular have gone through enormous changes within the past year. All the key Windows 8 players are out. Most of us can only speculate on the reasons for the massive turnover, but one point remains clear: under new management, Windows is in for changes.

Ford to ditch Microsoft Sync technology, sources say

Ford, struggling with in-car technology flaws, will base the next-generation Sync system on BlackBerry’s QNX and no longer use Microsoft’s Windows, according to people briefed on the matter.

Facebook email killed off because people don't use it

Users won't miss any messages that are sent to their Facebook email, as Facebook will forward them to their primary email address.

Apple files appeal in e-book antitrust case

Apple calls judge's ruling that it conspired with publishers to fix e-book prices "a radical departure from modern antitrust law and policy."

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

Google+ Updated To v4.3 With Photo Editing

Google+ now supports non-destructive photo editing across multiple devices, so if you start an edit on one device, you can tweak it again or start over using another. And if you don't like what you see, you can still revert back to the original image at any time.

Cloud storage: It's not just about the files

Talk about the cloud and watch some folks' eyes glaze over. They don't want to think about where their files are stored. Ask them if their photos are safe and it's a different story.

SSD vs. HDD: What's the Difference?

A hard drive is a hard drive, right? Not exactly. We lay out the differences between SSD and HDD storage to help you figure out which type is the best choice.

Do operating systems matter anymore?

Today consumers happily switch from their Android phones to their iPads to their Windows 8 notebooks throughout the day without missing a beat.

How to Rip a DVD to Your Computer

Say you have a movie on DVD, but you want to watch it on your phone, tablet, somewhere else. You can "rip" that DVD—or turn it into a movie file on your computer—to play it wherever you want. Here's how to do it.

 

Mobile Computing

9 Superb Free Apps that you Simply Must Install on your Android Device

The title says it all. These apps will only work on devices with Android 4.x

iOS 6 Users Left In The Lurch After Security Flaw Discovered

While Apple fixed the major security flaw in iOS7, that won't help you if you are one of those people who haven't updated from iOS 6 to iOS 7. According to reports from the company, that's about 15% of all Apple mobile devices.

Women prefer Apple, gentlemen prefer Samsung

In a study looking at which mobile brands are preferred by the sexes in America, the results are perhaps predictable. However, a ray of hope for Microsoft/Nokia is that almost 25 percent of people expressed no preference.

House passes bill to let you unlock your phone, but there’s a catch

A long awaited bill that would confirm consumers have the right to unlock their mobile devices has finally arrived — but with new language that appears to limit certain types of unlocking.

Microsoft sends out mixed messages about Nokia Lumia brand

Microsoft has discussed the survival of the Nokia and Lumia brand names after it completes its Nokia acquisition. Sounds like it will keep the Lumia name for 10 years, but Nokia name may go sooner

More Internet Doom and Gloom: Complete with F-Bombs

The Verge, a very highly respected tech journal, has published a story saying our beloved Internet is in deep trouble, thanks to Comcast, AT&T, Verizon and others.  They seek to control Internet access and set the prices for everyone…from big Internet companies like Netflix down to what you and I pay. (Warning, the story contains profanity to demonstrate the seriousness of the issue)

Worse, they have no plans to improve the Internet infrastructure because they don’t have to. They have a virtual monopoly guaranteed them by our own government.  In South Korea, the customers can expect 300 MBPS for a lot less money than we pay for average speeds of 15-20MBPS. And, according to the article, Americans pay more for these slower wireless speeds than anyone else in the world!

Of course, Washington could help by blocking the Comcast/Time Warner merger, but don’t count on it. Comcast has over 100 lobbyists in Washington to make sure Comcast’s wishes are followed. What we really need is a guarantee of Net Neutrality but don’t look for it from our government. They have sold their souls to the devils of greed.

Our second story relates how Netflix has succumbed to Comcast’s underhanded dealings and signed a new agreement with them to make sure there are no more Netflix service slow-downs that have become quite common at Comcast. Look for more agreements with other carriers coming soon. Also look for price increases at Netflix.

I urge you to read our first story to fully understand what is going on with our once-free and open Internet. -JRC

 

News and Opinions

The Internet is Really Messed Up (Profanity in Title Deleted by Editor)

(Warning...lots of "f-bombs" here) Massive companies like AT&T and Comcast have spent the first two months of 2014 boldly announcing plans to close and control the Internet through additional fees, pay-to-play schemes, and sheer brutal size...

Confirmed: Comcast and Netflix have signed a paid peering agreement

It’s officially confirmed. Comcast customers will likely have a better Netflix experience thanks to the Comcast and Netflix signing a direct interconnection agreement. Its proof that blackmail still works. Netflix customers should expect price increases.

MasterCard program will protect credit card purchases using your smartphone's location

With this system, the credit card company will simply check the location on your smartphone to see if you're in the same place as your card.

Microsoft to Cut Windows Licensing Price by 70% to Compete with Apple and Google

Microsoft is set to cut pricing of Windows 8.1 by 70 percent for computer and tablet manufacturers, according to Bloomberg, partly due to increased competition from both Apple and Google in the PC space.

Google Maps update finally goes live

The revamp features a cleaner new look, as well as tweaked search tools and improved directions tools, and lets users view locations in 3D using Google Earth.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

The 9 Best Browser-Based Photo Editing Tools

These editing tools are all free for basic edits, though some offer ad-free premium services for a reasonable price. Most rely on Flash, so be sure to first update your browser’s Flash plug-in for optimal functionality.

Google adds 'unsubscribe' button in Gmail for all users

Google has now provided a useful tool to get rid of those annoying subscriptions that you may or may have not signed up for, and even taking the trouble to locate an unsubscribe button in those unwanted promotional emails

Simple Guidelines for Protecting Your Gmail Account

Google offers quite a few tools to help you keep unwanted persons out of your account, but they only work if you activate them.

7 Free Things You Can Do On Amazon Without Spending A Single Dime

This is about diving into Amazon’s depths and coming up with useful free resources you can make use of.

One tweak can make your Windows PC virtually invulnerable

In its 2013 Microsoft Vulnerabilities Study, Avecto found that you could mitigate almost every single Critical vulnerability simply by removing administrator rights. The exact number was 92 percent.

 

Mobile Computing

Apple Fixed A Bug In iOS 7. It’s A Doozy

On Friday Apple announced a fix to a security bug in its iOS 7 system without much fanfare. Saturday, Web security experts parsed the patch to figure out what exactly the problem was… And apparently it’s very serious. If you haven't already downloaded it to your iPhone or iPad, do it NOW!

25 Tips for Mastering iPhone Photography

You can achieve higher quality photographs by attaining a basic understanding of photographic principles, learning to use some of the great photo apps available to you, and nurture a passion to succeed as a photographer and artist.

How to get your family photos onto your iPad

The iPad can make a great family photo album, provided it has your photos on it. This article will go over some of the best ways to put your favorite photos on to the iPad.

Mobile World Congress 2014

Here is all the latest news coming out of this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona including and in-depth look at the brand new Galaxy S5. This is the biggest mobile computing show in the world so take a look and see what is coming your way.

The 5 Commandments For Choosing The Right To-Do App For Productivity

Author: I have a confession to make. I’m an obsessive to-do list tester. In the past five years I think I’ve tested approximately 20 productivity management tools, and I’ve yet to stick with a single one.

Microsoft Admits Windows 8 Metro is for Tech Dummies

I am encouraged that the FCC is looking to rewrite the Net Neutrality Rules (see story #1). As you may recall, a court struck down their last set of regulations on a legal technicality. So now, companies like Verizon and Comcast can set their own regulations about which Web sites run at what speeds (like Netflix). I hope the FCC has the courage to complete this task as they will be fought every step of the way by the aforementioned companies as well as the lobbyists and Congressmen they control.

In our second story, Microsoft now says that Windows 8 was forced on us to satisfy the needs of non-tech savvy people and admitted it was not for power users or other folks who know how to run a computer. That is fine…but they did such a poor job implementing this system for dummies that it is virtually worthless for almost everybody. And the Metro part of Windows is for tablets, not for desktops. If you want to see how a tablet should work, just look at the iPad. It works for techies and dummies.

We do have some other interesting stories which should peak your interest…or at least I hope so. -JRC

 

News and Opinions

FCC to rewrite Net neutrality rules

The FCC's chairman says the agency won't challenge a federal appeals court decision to throw out its Open Internet rules and will instead take another crack at writing new regulations.

Windows 8 designer: Why Microsoft forced Metro on us all

Microsoft designed its Metro, aka Modern, interface for "your computer-illiterate little sister, for grandpas who don't know how to use that computer 'dofangle' thingy, and for mom who just wants to look up apple pie recipes."

Google Fiber chooses nine metro areas for possible expansion

Google is "hitting the road" to meet with these cities, and "conducting detailed studies of factors that affect construction plans in each place, like topography (e.g. hills, flood zones), housing density, and the condition of local infrastructure.

OneDrive Goes Live

A rebranding and expansion of SkyDrive, OneDrive provides some additional new features, and storage and payment options. But the bigger message here, perhaps, is the service's new stated focus on cross platform interoperability.

Microsoft relaunches Office Web Apps as Office Online

The rebranded online suite now offers its own startup Web page, a lineup of new templates, and easier ways to jump from one app to another.

Asus router vulnerabilities go unfixed despite reports

You may not think of your Wi-Fi router as a wide-open barn door between your computer and the Internet, but for many Asus router owners, it is.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

Sorting out the revolution in PC backups: Part 2

In Part 1 of this two-part series, I gave an overview of the five major types of backup technologies available today for Windows PCs. Part 2 shows the enormous speed differences in backup methods; it also includes some real-life scenarios to help you pick the best method for your needs.

OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Box: Which cloud storage service is right for you?

If you're ready to take the plunge into storing your files, photos, and more in the cloud, but need help deciding which service is right for your needs and wallet, we've got you covered.

Tips for Printing and Hanging Photos

"Why is decorating your walls with photos and artwork so difficult? It may tax your creative design abilities, but a few tech tips can make the project easier to accomplish. "

7 Secret Gmail Features You Didn't Know Existed

Even if you think you know everything there is to know about Gmail, the email service near and dear to our hearts, there's always a trick or two you may not have heard of.

How to Send Gmail Attachments to Google Drive

You neither have to install any browser extensions (the program uses Google Scripts) nor do you have to grant access to your Gmail or Google Drive accounts to a third-party.

 

Mobile Computing

Get more done with these 10 great Android business apps

Thanks to a lot of business-friendly smartphone apps, it’s becoming quite possible to make your primary computing device a smartphone.

Enable Private Browsing for Safari in iOS 7

Here is a refresher on how to enable this convenient little iPad surfing feature.

26 ways to improve your iPhone's battery life

Apple's latest iPhones still don't pack as much battery life as some of their nearest competitors. But by applying a few system tweaks, you can improve your iPhone's battery life considerably. Here's how you can conserve your mobile's power.

How to get your iTunes music onto Android

If you've been a long time user of an iPod, iPhone or iPad there's a good chance that the majority of your digital music collection is in iTunes. While there is no iTunes for Android, there are actually a few different ways for you to get your groove on.

Apple's smart magnet tech could spawn new class of connected iPad accessories

An Apple patent application describes an intelligent magnetic attachment system that provides an interface for an iPad to connect and communicate with a variety of accessory devices

Should You Be Nervous About Comcast Merger? Hell Yes!

I’ve been reading and listening to reports about the Comcast purchase of Time Warner Cable. And they make me very nervous. The bottom line is that one of the most hated companies in all of America will control not only what we see on TV, but more importantly, the will control the flow information on the Internet.

There are already reports that they are throttling the speed of Netflix across the Net, even though they have a written agreement that they will not do it. These folks already have a monopoly on cable in the areas they serve. It was given to them by our own government to help them protect their investment in equipment.

The problem is there equipment is already outdated when compared to fiber optic equipment. But, by having a monopoly, they have no need to invest in modern, up-to-date Internet equipment. That is why the US is falling further and further behind in Internet speeds. Monopolies kill any need for innovation in favor of lining their own pockets. 

Our hope is that the FCC will not approve the merger, but remember the chairman of the FCC is a former cable guy…and Comcast has enough money and power in DC that they just might get this through the system. Many experts are predicting that this exactly what will happen. I hope the folks in Washington have the guts to say no…but don’t count on it.

As always, there is more to this edition than just Comcast, so I hope you will find some good things here. -JRC

 

News and Opinions

Comcast takeover of Time Warner Cable 'will throttle choice on the web'

Angry consumer groups say proposed $45.2bn mega-deal will drive up costs for millions – and call on FCC to block takeover

Why you should be scared of Comcast and Time Warner Cable merging

If the move is approved by federal regulators, it could cement the kind of monolithic monopolies that have plagued cable subscribers all along, raising concerns over net neutrality and competition in the marketplace.

Google, Microsoft, others form group to expand Wi-Fi

A mission statement describes the coalition as "ad hoc, broad-based group of companies, organizations and public sector institutions working to alleviate the Wi-Fi spectrum crunch and to support making Wi-Fi even better by finding more unlicensed spectrum.

Passwords which cannot be hacked by hackers ever

A computer scientist in Dubai has managed to program a new way, “geographical passwords” in order to help and protect the online accounts so that hackers can’t be able to access.

Windows 7 to be Available on Consumer PCs Through October

Microsoft revealed today that it will allow PC makers to continue preinstalling Windows 7 on new consumer PCs through October 31, 2014. Left unsaid, however, is when it will cut off Windows 7 preinstalls on business PCs.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

How to protect your PC in the web's worst neighborhoods

Protect yourself by learning about the web’s most common dangers, and how to avoid them. Also, take some basic steps to make your PC more resistant to harm.

Cloud storage made simple: How to integrate it with your workflow

Many users still haven’t fully worked the cloud into the way they go about their daily business. Here's how to seamlessly integrate the cloud into your workflow, starting with the most crucial part: Choosing a service that plays nice with your PC.

15+ Awesome Google+ Tricks You Might Not Know About

Google is slowly but surely improving Google+ and trying to bring the social network to the masses. Yet some of Google+'s best features are less than obvious for those who are still wondering what the point of it is.

How to Fix a Computer that Keeps Waking Up

In this tip, I will describe several settings in your system that may keep waking up your PC. The discussion is for Windows Vista/7. You will generally need administrator privileges to make system changes.

Four Creative Uses for Your Old SD Cards

If you've been through a couple of smartphones by now, or have owned more than one digital camera in your lifetime, you probably have a few SD cards lying around that you don't know what to do with.

 

Portable Computing

5 Great Apps for Working Out at Home

If severe weather has you cooped up in the house, these five Android and iOS apps can keep your muscles from atrophying, no matter what your fitness level.

BattSaver For iOS 7 Released, Aims To Double Your iPhone’s Battery Life

BattSaver, a tweak which has just been updated for iOS 7 at the BigBoss repo, does exactly that, helping you save every last droplet of battery life wherever possible

Is Gmail sucking the life out of your Android smartphone?

This is a quick tip for all my fellow Android users. Have you noticed that your Android smartphone is always warm to the touch or that your battery life has taken a nose dive?

How to Remotely Install Apps to iPhone / iPad from iTunes on a Mac or PC

All you need is iTunes on OS X or Windows logged into the same Apple ID as what’s used on the iOS device, and the rest is easier than you’d probably expect.

Verizon Price Cuts and Two Giant Cable Companies Merge

It’s 82 degrees outside right now here in Tucson, and I don’t have a whole lot to say about technology. So I am going to let you read all the stories without my help…while I head back outside and enjoy this beautiful weather. -JRC

 

News and Opinions

Verizon confirms 'More Everything,' brings price cuts, more data, global texting

The nation's largest wireless carrier is finally responding to the cuts taken by T-Mobile, AT&T, and Sprint.

Comcast to buy Time Warner Cable for $45.2 billion

This deal combines the two largest U.S. cable operators. It immediately raises questions as to whether it will pass the scrutiny of anti-trust regulators.

Google brings Windows apps to Chrome OS in latest Microsoft attack

The approach of low-cost devices and a modern cloud-powered OS has left Microsoft a little nervous, but Google is now launching the next stage of its continued attack: the enterprise.

The US is switching from credit card signatures to PINs

US banks and merchants may finally shift to a more secure way of authorizing credit card transactions in which customers will enter a personal identification number (PIN) at checkout instead of signing a receipt. The US is the last major market in the world using the signature system, which is part of the reason why a disproportionate amount of credit card fraud happens here.

Firefox's new interface is almost here

You may have to wait a few more weeks to get it, but here is a sneak peak (video) of the new Firefox Web browser, code named Australis.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

13 tough questions about computer security

Security novices often ask great questions, and these student queries elicit responses worth a short security course. Some of their questions might be the same as yours.

Check Your Internet Security, Or Locate An IP Address

How can you test that your firewall is working? The answer is to perform a port scan. This means that you need to persuade another computer on the internet, outside of your own home or office network, to try connecting to your IP address on all the common ports (or channels). "

PhotoSift - A free utility to help you sort photos

PhotoSift can help you quickly organize unsorted images from one directory into multiple destination folders with the help of keyboard shortcuts.

Sorting out the revolution in PC backups

Over the past few years, backup technology has improved so much that you’re virtually guaranteed you’ll never lose important files or other data. But with so many good options available, it can be difficult to settle on the backup method — or methods — exactly right for you.

12 Most Efficient Ways To Use Evernote Beyond "Everything"

Deep down, Evernote is subtly whispering “productivity and efficiency” — if only everyone could hear it. Sometimes we need a recommendation or two for what’s best on the menu to get us started. Here are 12 of them

 

Portable Computing

iPad Tips: iOS 7 Gesture Guide

Gestures on the iPad can really speed things up on a productivity level. Here is a guide to all of the major gestures in iOS 7. Practice makes perfect here and the more you use these gestures, the more you will find yourself flying through your iPad.

30 iPhone and iPad tips and tricks to make you faster and more efficient

Here are a list of tip and tricks that will help you be more productive when using your iPad and iPhone, whether you use it for work or play.

How I learned to stop worrying and love my creepy smartphone

As our contextual information reaches the cloud, smartphones will get more personal and anticipate everything we want.

Best Free Radio Broadcasting for Android

TuneIn Radio wins this award and is undoubtedly one of the most popular apps giving you a great opportunity to tune in and listen to local and worldwide radio stations on your Android phones and tablets wherever you go.

Warning: Flappy Bird fakes are hatching Android malware

Security firms have found Flappy Bird-like applications running malware in a host of third-party Android app marketplaces

Just Another Bad Day for Windows 8

Our first story may look like one of the many stories published here and other places about the disaster that it Windows. But, in this case, it was written by one of Microsoft’s biggest supporters… Paul Thurrott. He has been writing and speaking about Microsoft and Windows for many years. He runs WinSuperSite.com and appears weekly on the Podcasts “Windows Weekly” and “What the Tech” is also the author of several books about Windows, one of which is on my desk (Windows 7 Secrets)…and I just downloaded his latest book on Windows 8 to try and help me figure out the mess on my laptop…called Windows 8.1.

So when he publishes and article like this one, everyone, including Microsoft, should listen carefully. I respect and enjoy what he writes and listen nearly every week to his podcasts. I have disagreed with him more than a few times, especially when he talks about Windows 8. Well, in our first article today, he is throwing in the towel and jumping over to my side. Needless to say I was shocked…and delighted. I can hardly wait to hear his podcasts in the next couple of days. 

Well, there is more to this blog that Windows 8, so let’s just move forward from here. -JRC

PS: Sorry for being late with this edition but our Internet connection has been down for 24 hours. – JRC

 

News and Opinions

What the Heck is Happening to Windows?

Windows 8 is not well-designed. It's a mess. But Windows 8 is a bigger problem than that. Windows 8 is a disaster in every sense of the word. This is not open to debate, is not part of some cute imaginary world where everyone's opinion is equally valid or whatever. Windows 8 is a disaster. Period.

Today We Fight Back Against Mass Surveillance

Since June, ongoing revelations about the NSA's activities have shown us the expanding scope of government surveillance. Today is the day people around the world are demanding an end to mass spying.

Tim Berners-Lee: We need a Web that's open and international

In an interview with Wired, the inventor of the World Wide Web stresses the importance of an open environment following efforts by certain countries to centralize the Web

Microsoft OneDrive to debut with Dropbox-like bonus storage

Microsoft announced its OneDrive rebranding of SkyDrive recently, and it appears the service will soon debut with some new additions.

Microsoft to patch Windows, Forefront this month

This Patch Tuesday will see just five updates and just two critical. Every version of Windows is affected

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

Convert PDF To Word

Convertii (www.convertii.com) is a free online service that lets you convert a PDF file to an editable MS Word document. It's better than many such converters I've tried, in that the results it produces are pretty good. It's totally free to use.

Google Now notifications now in Chrome beta

Google Now notification cards are coming to desktop versions of Google Chrome, but if you're running the Chrome beta you can get them, well, now.

How to Stay Anonymous Online

Privacy is not just about government spying; it's also about how much big companies like Google, Facebook, and Microsoft have collected about you in order to serve up targeted ads.

Top 10 DIY Office Upgrades

So maybe your workspace isn't a cluttered mess, but maybe it just isn't the haven of productivity you wish it was. If you're looking to upgrade to something more impressive, here are 10 cheap DIY upgrades to make it a battlestation worthy of your time."

Windows XP: What to expect once Microsoft shuts down support

Even though the world won't end because of Microsoft's withdrawal of support for Windows XP, those left clinging to the OS after April's deadline still face a number of issues.

 

Portable Computing

MediaMonkey 4.1 Adds Wireless Syncing, iOS 7 Compatibility, and More

MediaMonkey, one of our favorite media players for Windows, updated to version 4.1 today, bringing a bunch of long-awaited features—especially for syncing Android and iOS devices.

Google Now gets Olympics cards and new commands

The Google Now app… Excuse me, that is to say, Google Now within the Google Search app received new functionality today, bringing options for event reminders, new voice commands and quick access to the Olympics

5 great Android apps that do amazing things the iPhone can’t

The simple truth is that there are still tons of amazingly useful things Android devices can do that the iPhone and other iOS devices simply cannot.

Game Over: You Can't Download 'Flappy Bird' Anymore

Creator Dong Nguyen officially pulled the app from Apple's App Store and Android's Google Play platform, saying he could no longer handle the pressure and stress following its instant success.

Candy Crush, Outlook among top battery-sucking Android apps?

"An analysis of which apps most suck the life out of your phone's battery claims that two well-known names are near the top."

Sochi Says Hello World…Sony VAIO Says Bye-Bye

Yes indeed, it is time for the Winter Olympics to begin. But apparently nobody told the city of Sochi. From all I have read, the city is nowhere near ready for the flood of reporters and tourists that are descending on this Russian city. Hotels are not finished, wild dogs roam the city streets, the water is bad, and corruption rules. And the Olympic Torch has gone out 44 times so far. So glad I am not there for this one. You should read the excellent Washington Post article, “15 signs that Russia is not very ready for the Olympics.”

Not a lot of earth shattering news in the tech world…the biggest being that Sony has sold their VAIO division to a local company. From this point on, their desktop and laptop computers will only be sold in Japan. I think very few consumers and businesses will miss them.

From this point on, you are on your own. Enjoy the read! -JRC

 

News and Opinions

Sony exits PC market with VAIO sale

Sony has quit the PC market, confirming the sale of its VAIO unit to a local private equity fund. Bottom line…Vaio computers will only be available in Japan.

A last reprieve for the enduring Windows XP?

By now, every Windows XP user and his third cousin should know that on April 8, the clock runs out on the venerable OS. But recent developments might give XP users a bit of a reprieve. When and how Microsoft will blink are the open questions.

Windows 8.1 Update 1 now looking like April

Microsoft's new ship target for its coming Windows 8.1 Update 1 may have shifted from March to April, according to sources.

Eight things CEO Nadella needs to do to jump-start Microsoft

It's hard to knock a company that last quarter generated $24.5 billion in revenue, but Nadella takes the reins at a time when there are increasing questions about Microsoft's direction and future source of growth.

Olympic Athletes Told To Cover Apple Logos On Devices So Apple Doesn't Get Any Free Promotion

Apparently, athletes are being told to cover the Apple logo on any electronics they have, because Samsung is the big consumer electronics sponsor for this Olympics, and the Olympic Committee can't let any brand possibly get free support.

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

10 cool free Chrome extensions

There are extensions that stand alone, and others that add value to existing apps and web services. Some are so useful that Chrome users should take a look and see what they are missing.

How To Remove Yourself From The Internet

"If you’re serious about deleting your online profiles, you might be surprised: It’s more difficult than you'd think to completely erase yourself from the Internet. "

The truth about your PC: These benchmark tools tell all

Just how fast is your PC? Is your laptop's battery up to snuff? Benchmarking software can tell you this. Once the province of PC builders and tuners, the best packages available today are accessible to mainstream users as well

Automatically Make Continuous Backups of Personal Files with Windows 8/8.1 File History

If backing up your files always seems like the chore you never get around to and you have Windows 8.x, you will welcome a new feature called “File History”. It makes it very easy to set up frequent and automatic backups of your personal files and data. However, it is disabled by default. Here’s how to enable it.

Daily Todo Is a Simple To-Do Manager for Recurring Tasks

There are lots of awesome, simple web tools for your task lists, but Daily Todo focuses on helping you manage the items in your day-to-day routine. I am using it and it is quite good.

The Best Travel Sites

Looking to plan and book a bargain getaway? Traveling in a rush for an emergency? The best travel websites will help get you where you're going at a price you can afford.

 

Portable Computing

How to stream the Olympic Winter Games

Here's the rundown of how you can stream the Olympics to your computer and mobile devices-all 15 sports, and all 98 events.

Apple Says Fix Coming for iOS 7 Home Screen Crashes – It’s About Time

If you’ve been using iOS 7 for any length of time, then you’re likely aware that it’s prone to pretty frequent crashes at random times.

Facebook Paper (for iPhone) Review & Rating

While I personally find no value in Facebook's new app, other reviewers are quite giddy about it. This review might help you decide whether to add it to your iPhone.

Top Seven Picks For The Best New Android Apps Of January 2014

January is generally held as a gloomy month, a time when there's nothing but slush on the ground and crap in the movie theaters. But it gave us more than a few fine apps, which you should take the opportunity to peruse.

Amazon’s 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime

As with most lists like this, there will be a lot of debate. I’m surprised at what seems like a high number of recent books, but I perhaps shouldn’t be.

The Wait is Over! Microsoft Has a New CEO

The Steve Ballmer era at Microsoft is now officially over. Satya Nadella is the new CEO of Microsoft. Never heard of him? Me neither. But he well known inside the company and is responsible for many of the operations that have made Microsoft a great deal of money.

But wait…there is more! Bill Gates is stepping down as Chairman of the Board, to be replaced by board member John Thompson, the man who headed the search for the new CEO. Nadella asked Gates to serve as a "technology advisor" for new consumer products. According to Microsoft, this means Gates will be more involved with the company than he has in quite a while.

So, what this will mean for the Redmond-based company’s future is unknown at this time, but I suspect Windows will be de-emphasized in favor of more profitable ventures (see story #2). I look forward to good days ahead for Microsoft as I am sure many stockholders are also.

If you would like to read the new CEO’s first letter to Microsoft employees, click on this link. I found it very interesting and liked what he had to say.

So that is my big news of the day. But be sure and look at some of our other stories as well as tips and tricks. - JRC

 

News and Opinions

Microsoft Names Satya Nadella As Its New CEO

After a five-month search, Microsoft has named Satya Nadella its new CEO. He's the third CEO in the company's history. Bill Gates will step down as Chairman.

Microsoft De emphasize Windows

A report this week claims that an activist investor who will soon join Microsoft's board of directors will fight to convince the firm to lessen its reliance on Windows. As it turns out, that's actually a fine idea. More to the point, Microsoft is already moving in that direction anyway."

Windows XP rules, at Windows 7 and 8's expense

Internet usage for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 stagnate between December and January, even as XP's share grew

2013 most vulnerable systems & software: It's not just Internet Explorer

While unsurprisingly Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Java were very vulnerable, Google's Chrome operating system was listed as the third most vulnerable system in 2013.

Healthcare.gov appeals system not working

Tens of thousands of enrollment errors were made in the site's first months. Appeals of those errors are sitting unprocessed.

 

 

Computer Tips and Tricks

Why We Use Email for Everything and How We Can Be Better Emailers

What began as a messaging service has now become a document exchange point and archive for 76 percent of people.

Publish and Manage Online Newsletters For Friends And Family

It's designed to allow you to send your regular or occasional newsletters to groups of people. You can add subscribers manually, by entering their email addresses, or point people at your web-based signup form so that they can sign themselves up.

9 free tools that make Windows much better

Windows is packed to the rafters with features, many of them great—and others, just meh. Luckily, there are free alternatives that are more powerful, more efficient, and take only minutes to install

Bigger, better, faster: LibreOffice 4.2

The leading open-source alternative to Microsoft Office is looking better than ever

Combine Pocket with Evernote for a Clutter-Free, Paperless System

Pocket may be our favorite read-it-later app, and Evernote is a great digital filing cabinet (if you make good use of it). Use them together, however, and you can have a more organized system for saving everything you want to read or refer to later.

 

Portable Computing

22 of the Best iOS Apps From January

With 2014 well and truly underway, here’s a quick snapshot of some of the best new iOS apps from January.

Which Android security apps are the most effective?

A recent test by the folks at AV-Test reveals the winners and losers among security software for Google's mobile OS.

The 25 Best Windows Phone Apps

Microsoft's mobile OS may not have caught up to iPhone or Android in sheer number of apps available, but the gap is shrinking when it comes to must-have apps.

Top Android tablets (February 2014 edition)

Want a tablet but don't want to buy a svelte iPad Air or the petite iPad mini because you want to stay away from the Apple walled garden? Not a problem! Here are my top Android tablets for February 2014 – and this month we have a couple of new entries. And for those of you with limited carry space, there's a phablet for you to lust over."

SwiftKey’s Predictive Keyboard Now Available on iPad

SwiftKey has come up with a solution for awkward typing on the iPad. The predictive keyboard app gives you suggestions on words while you type so you don’t have to worry about misspelled words, capitalizations, and switching between numbers and symbols as much. The app learns from your choices, as well. Eventually, you’ll be tapping more words than you are typing.