This is the week...the big one for Bill Gates and his boys and girls at Microsoft. The new operating system, Windows Vista, goes public on Tuesday. And the question still begs..."Should you get it?"
Well let me throw out a few more kernels of thought that might help. Just this last week, CNET reviewed four of the six flavors of Vista. Here is the bottom line on all four of their reviews:
"The bottom line: Windows Vista Home Basic is essentially warmed-over Windows XP, Windows XP SP3. If you're currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason to upgrade. On the other hand, if you need a new computer right now, Windows Vista is stable enough for everyday use."
If memory serves, that was my recommendation a couple of weeks ago when I talked about whether or not to upgrade. And from reading other reviews, if you do decide to go with a new computer, make sure it has a dual processor and probably 2 Gb of memory. Of course, after Tuesday, you will have no choice but to go with Vista on your new computer, but from what CNET and others say, there is nothing wrong with it.
And if I were to buy a new computer, I would make sure that it came with the Home Premium Version, as the Basic Version does not come with Aero, which is arguably the best (and sexiest) part of Vista.
If you want to know what is the difference between the different Vista's, CNET also put a very good chart together that might help you. It is on their website. By the way, this chart only compares four of the versions...the other two are a special server program for larger businesses and a very stripped-down version to be used in developing and third-world countries. The four on the chart will be the ones you choose from.
One of the things I did to prepare for this blog, was to do a Google search on "reasons to upgrade to Vista." Here are a few links to websites that had some good information on the subject.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ttpcworld/20060210/tc_techtues_pcworld/124642
http://www.btxformfactor.com/item/35/1.php
http://apcmag.com/5082/10_reasons_you_should_get_vista
And finally a link to a website that put together a satirical list in the form of David Letterman's Top Ten Reasons...
http://www.bbspot.com/News/2006/03/top-11-reasons-to-upgrade-to-windows-vista.html
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
McAfee's Site Advisor Revisited
I have written about McAfee's SiteAdvisor in the past here in this blog. If you don't remember what it is, let me remind you. SiteAdvisor is a free software add-on for either Internet Explorer or Firefox. Its job is to advise you whether of not a particular Website is safe before you click on a link on a search page to go to it. When you do a search using Google, Yahoo or MSN, a green, yellow, or red check mark shows up next to each result on your search. This tells you whether or not a website is safe to visit, as rated by McAfee and their reviewers.
Why am I writing about it again? Because I spend a lot of time browsing the web, much of it researching and checking information for this blog. And I have been surprised at the number of Websites that show up as being possibly dangerous. During my searches, I've run across many Websites that appear to be safe and seemingly have the answers I am looking for, only to be marked as hazardous to my computing health. (To be fair, there are far more safe sites listed than dangerous ones.)
This being the case, I must rate this tiny piece of software as a must for any computer that accesses the Internet...and as you are reading this on the Web or via e-mail, that means YOU! As I said, it is free, small in size, and easy to install. Currently, there are two versions available, one for Firefox and one for Internet Explorer.
If you want to read more about it, you can head over to the special Website that McAfee has set up for this program. To download the Firefox version, head over to this page. For Internet Explorer, you need to visit this page.
While you are improving your Web searching and browsing experience, you also might want to look at another free program that works with Google search pages. It is called "GooglePreview." Again, there is a version for both Internet Explorer and Firefox. This little add-on gives you a thumbnail preview of a site next to its listing on the Google search page. It is not a "must" like SiteAdvisor, but it does enhance your searching experience.
To download the Firefox version, go to this page. For IE version, go to this page.
Why am I writing about it again? Because I spend a lot of time browsing the web, much of it researching and checking information for this blog. And I have been surprised at the number of Websites that show up as being possibly dangerous. During my searches, I've run across many Websites that appear to be safe and seemingly have the answers I am looking for, only to be marked as hazardous to my computing health. (To be fair, there are far more safe sites listed than dangerous ones.)
This being the case, I must rate this tiny piece of software as a must for any computer that accesses the Internet...and as you are reading this on the Web or via e-mail, that means YOU! As I said, it is free, small in size, and easy to install. Currently, there are two versions available, one for Firefox and one for Internet Explorer.
If you want to read more about it, you can head over to the special Website that McAfee has set up for this program. To download the Firefox version, head over to this page. For Internet Explorer, you need to visit this page.
While you are improving your Web searching and browsing experience, you also might want to look at another free program that works with Google search pages. It is called "GooglePreview." Again, there is a version for both Internet Explorer and Firefox. This little add-on gives you a thumbnail preview of a site next to its listing on the Google search page. It is not a "must" like SiteAdvisor, but it does enhance your searching experience.
To download the Firefox version, go to this page. For IE version, go to this page.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
I May Have Been Wrong About IE7
Back in November, I wrote a couple of blogs about the then-new Internet Explorer 7. Somewhere in there, I recommended that even if you use Firefox as your browser, you should probably update to the new IE7. I take back that recommendation.
After reading about problems caused by installing IE7, both on the Internet and from a couple of my own readers, I tell you now that if you update, you do so at your own risk. One of my readers wrote that his printer stopped working after IE7. When he uninstalled the EI7 and went back to IE6, it worked just fine.
There are many reports all over the Net documenting problems caused by the upgrade. Some report that the new browser continually crashed...another reported he can't watch videos on sites like YouTube...and still another said that he can no longer burn DVD's and CD's with Roxio software. There seems to be a wide variety of different issues apparently caused by the upgrade.
To be fair, the majority of computer users apparently had no problems upgrading, including me. As I reported in another blog in November, I upgraded to IE7 on my laptop. Nothing went wrong, other than the fact that I didn't like it very much and was not willing to put in the time to customize it for my browsing habits.
With that in mind, I didn't upgrade on my office desktop computer. After all, as many of you know, I am a hardcore Firefox convert and that is all I use 99.9% of the time. IE6 is just fine if I ever have to use it. And, after reading about other people's problems, I definitely am happy about not upgrading. Last week, I took delivery of my new home computer, equipped with Windows XP Media Center Edition, and IE6. Again, I did not upgrade. Thank God, when downloading the latest batch of Microsoft fixes, Microsoft, to their credit, does ask if you want to upgrade to IE7. "No" is now my answer of choice.
I read an interesting article this week by John Palleto, a writer with eWeek magazine who covers enterprise computing. He was incensed that Microsoft "hid" the IE7 upgrade inside their monthly security updates. He compared it to being suckered into opening an attachment to an e-mail infected with a virus or worm and that Microsoft had violated his trust. After thinking about it, I believe he is right.
After reading about problems caused by installing IE7, both on the Internet and from a couple of my own readers, I tell you now that if you update, you do so at your own risk. One of my readers wrote that his printer stopped working after IE7. When he uninstalled the EI7 and went back to IE6, it worked just fine.
There are many reports all over the Net documenting problems caused by the upgrade. Some report that the new browser continually crashed...another reported he can't watch videos on sites like YouTube...and still another said that he can no longer burn DVD's and CD's with Roxio software. There seems to be a wide variety of different issues apparently caused by the upgrade.
To be fair, the majority of computer users apparently had no problems upgrading, including me. As I reported in another blog in November, I upgraded to IE7 on my laptop. Nothing went wrong, other than the fact that I didn't like it very much and was not willing to put in the time to customize it for my browsing habits.
With that in mind, I didn't upgrade on my office desktop computer. After all, as many of you know, I am a hardcore Firefox convert and that is all I use 99.9% of the time. IE6 is just fine if I ever have to use it. And, after reading about other people's problems, I definitely am happy about not upgrading. Last week, I took delivery of my new home computer, equipped with Windows XP Media Center Edition, and IE6. Again, I did not upgrade. Thank God, when downloading the latest batch of Microsoft fixes, Microsoft, to their credit, does ask if you want to upgrade to IE7. "No" is now my answer of choice.
I read an interesting article this week by John Palleto, a writer with eWeek magazine who covers enterprise computing. He was incensed that Microsoft "hid" the IE7 upgrade inside their monthly security updates. He compared it to being suckered into opening an attachment to an e-mail infected with a virus or worm and that Microsoft had violated his trust. After thinking about it, I believe he is right.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Storm Worm Attacks Computers Worldwide
There is a new worm out there spreading itself on computers around the world with a vengeance. It is called the "Storm Worm" and is named after the bad weather and storms that engulfed much of Europe late last week. It arrives as an e-mail with an attachment that purports to bring breaking news about the weather, in an attempt to get people to download an executable file. There are other infected e-mails that purport to carry news of a yet unconfirmed missile test by the Chinese against one of its weather satellites, and reporting that Fidel Castro had died.
Each new wave of e-mails carries different versions of the Trojan horse, according to anti-virus vendor F-Secure. Each version also contained the capability to be updated, in an attempt to stay ahead of anti-virus vendors.
"When they first came out, these files were pretty much undetectable by most anti-virus programs," said Mikko Hypponen, director of anti virus research at F-Secure. "The bad guys are putting a lot of effort into it...they were putting out updates hour after hour."
As most businesses tend to strip executable files out of e-mails they receive, Hypponen said he expected that companies would not be overly affected by the attacks. But hundreds of thousands of home users may be infected.
Once a user downloads the executable file, the code opens a back door in the machine which can be remotely controlled...and at the same time, installs a root-kit that hides the malicious program. The compromised machine becomes a zombie in a network called a botnet. Most botnets are currently controlled through a central server, which, if found, can be taken down to destroy the botnet. However, this particular Trojan horse seeds a botnet that acts in a similar way to a peer-to-peer network, with no centralized control.
Each compromised machine connects to a subset of the entire botnet, around 30 to 35 other compromised machines, which act as hosts. While each of the infected hosts share lists of other infected hosts, no one machine has a full list of the entire botnet, making it difficult to gauge the true extent of the zombie network.
Most security experts expect that more attacks are going to come over the several days, and that the botnet would most likely be hired out for spamming, adware propagation, or be sold to extortionists to launch distributed denial-of-service attacks.
One security expert called this current malicious campaign "very aggressive," and said that the gang responsible was probably a new entrant to the scene, hoping to make its mark. No one seems to know where the attacks are originating from. Be aware!!
Each new wave of e-mails carries different versions of the Trojan horse, according to anti-virus vendor F-Secure. Each version also contained the capability to be updated, in an attempt to stay ahead of anti-virus vendors.
"When they first came out, these files were pretty much undetectable by most anti-virus programs," said Mikko Hypponen, director of anti virus research at F-Secure. "The bad guys are putting a lot of effort into it...they were putting out updates hour after hour."
As most businesses tend to strip executable files out of e-mails they receive, Hypponen said he expected that companies would not be overly affected by the attacks. But hundreds of thousands of home users may be infected.
Once a user downloads the executable file, the code opens a back door in the machine which can be remotely controlled...and at the same time, installs a root-kit that hides the malicious program. The compromised machine becomes a zombie in a network called a botnet. Most botnets are currently controlled through a central server, which, if found, can be taken down to destroy the botnet. However, this particular Trojan horse seeds a botnet that acts in a similar way to a peer-to-peer network, with no centralized control.
Each compromised machine connects to a subset of the entire botnet, around 30 to 35 other compromised machines, which act as hosts. While each of the infected hosts share lists of other infected hosts, no one machine has a full list of the entire botnet, making it difficult to gauge the true extent of the zombie network.
Most security experts expect that more attacks are going to come over the several days, and that the botnet would most likely be hired out for spamming, adware propagation, or be sold to extortionists to launch distributed denial-of-service attacks.
One security expert called this current malicious campaign "very aggressive," and said that the gang responsible was probably a new entrant to the scene, hoping to make its mark. No one seems to know where the attacks are originating from. Be aware!!
Monday, January 22, 2007
"Free" WiFi at Washington Rest Stops
I had to take a quick trip to Seattle on Saturday and, being a coffee drinker, I can never make it all the way without a stop at one of the fine rest stops along Interstate 90. On this trip, I went by two of them, "Indian Johns" near Cle Ellum, and "Ryegrass", just east of Ellensburg.
I noticed that both of them have signs on the highway and at the rest stops themselves advertising they now have Wi-Fi connections so you can wirelessly use your laptop to get on the Net. What a great service, I thought to myself. I didn't get a chance to use it as I didn't bring my laptop on this trip.
After returning home, I did a little research. It turns out that Washington State Department of Transportation has installed wireless connections at 28 of the state's 42 rest stops. Most of them, of course, are west of the Cascades. And, while I assumed that it was free to use, it turns out that this is only partially true.
For free, travelers can log onto the state Department of Transportation's (DOT) Web site, other travel sites and Washington tourism sites at no charge. You can check the mountain pass conditions, ferry times, Amtrak times, Seattle Metro bus schedules and Sounder information...all for free.
But, if you want to check your e-mail or browse other Web sites, it is going to cost you. The prices...$1.99 for 20 minutes and $3.99 for a full day's use. The paying part of the system is being handled by a company called Road Connect. Besides Washington, they offer wireless Internet services at rest areas in Oregon, Texas and Kansas.
Still, in all, I am glad to see this service being initiated in our state. Now, you you can get free coffee, free Internet (well, almost) and free rest room facilities. Not bad, considering Starbucks charges for two of those three services. However, I am a little concerned that some travelers might tie-up the stalls a bit longer than normal as they browse the Net.
I noticed that both of them have signs on the highway and at the rest stops themselves advertising they now have Wi-Fi connections so you can wirelessly use your laptop to get on the Net. What a great service, I thought to myself. I didn't get a chance to use it as I didn't bring my laptop on this trip.
After returning home, I did a little research. It turns out that Washington State Department of Transportation has installed wireless connections at 28 of the state's 42 rest stops. Most of them, of course, are west of the Cascades. And, while I assumed that it was free to use, it turns out that this is only partially true.
For free, travelers can log onto the state Department of Transportation's (DOT) Web site, other travel sites and Washington tourism sites at no charge. You can check the mountain pass conditions, ferry times, Amtrak times, Seattle Metro bus schedules and Sounder information...all for free.
But, if you want to check your e-mail or browse other Web sites, it is going to cost you. The prices...$1.99 for 20 minutes and $3.99 for a full day's use. The paying part of the system is being handled by a company called Road Connect. Besides Washington, they offer wireless Internet services at rest areas in Oregon, Texas and Kansas.
Still, in all, I am glad to see this service being initiated in our state. Now, you you can get free coffee, free Internet (well, almost) and free rest room facilities. Not bad, considering Starbucks charges for two of those three services. However, I am a little concerned that some travelers might tie-up the stalls a bit longer than normal as they browse the Net.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
More Freebies
I have some free goodies for you today, some of them are pretty darn good. I hope they can be of use.
Netflix
This isn't really a freebie, but more a follow-up from yesterday's blog about Netflix's new movie download. First it is called "Watch Now." Second, the folk from Crave.com have put together a video on how it works. Click here to see it.
TaxCut
As you may remember, a few days ago I wrote about the three do-it-yourself tax programs. Low-and-behold, I found out today that you can get a free copy of TaxCut Basic with no strings attached. ZDNet has put it up on their Website to download for free. If you live in Washington State or in any state that does not have an income tax, this may be all you need. I checked out the software and found it to be very complete, even if you run a small business.
Having used TaxCut since the very first edition (in MS-DOS), and have always liked it very much and am glad to get this free copy. If you download and install it, make sure you check for updates as there is an update for it. The program will tell you how. You should also check for more updates around the end of January as the IRS does not always finalize their forms until that time.
AVG AntiVirus
The folks at Grisoft have come out with a new version of their free anti-virus software, which is considered one of the best freebies in the anti-virus business. You can download it off their Website. While you are there, consider downloading their new, free Spyware detector software.
AOL's Free Virus Software
Another highly respected name in anti-virus protection is Kaspersky Labs. AOL has put together their free anti-virus software using the Kaspersky detection system. You can download it for free from the AOL website without having to be a subscriber or user of the AOL system.
Free Sketching Software
Turn your photos into different kinds of sketches with this free tool called "Photo to Sketch" from Thinker Software. ZDNet has it on their website.
Netflix
This isn't really a freebie, but more a follow-up from yesterday's blog about Netflix's new movie download. First it is called "Watch Now." Second, the folk from Crave.com have put together a video on how it works. Click here to see it.
TaxCut
As you may remember, a few days ago I wrote about the three do-it-yourself tax programs. Low-and-behold, I found out today that you can get a free copy of TaxCut Basic with no strings attached. ZDNet has put it up on their Website to download for free. If you live in Washington State or in any state that does not have an income tax, this may be all you need. I checked out the software and found it to be very complete, even if you run a small business.
Having used TaxCut since the very first edition (in MS-DOS), and have always liked it very much and am glad to get this free copy. If you download and install it, make sure you check for updates as there is an update for it. The program will tell you how. You should also check for more updates around the end of January as the IRS does not always finalize their forms until that time.
AVG AntiVirus
The folks at Grisoft have come out with a new version of their free anti-virus software, which is considered one of the best freebies in the anti-virus business. You can download it off their Website. While you are there, consider downloading their new, free Spyware detector software.
AOL's Free Virus Software
Another highly respected name in anti-virus protection is Kaspersky Labs. AOL has put together their free anti-virus software using the Kaspersky detection system. You can download it for free from the AOL website without having to be a subscriber or user of the AOL system.
Free Sketching Software
Turn your photos into different kinds of sketches with this free tool called "Photo to Sketch" from Thinker Software. ZDNet has it on their website.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Netflix Adds Instant Movies
Netflix, my DVD rental company of choice, today is adding Internet movie downloads to its repertoire. Customers will be able to download a limited selection of movies and TV shows on demand via their PC's. The cost? Right now it will be for free for a limited number of hours per month.
For instance, I am signed up for their $17.99 service and will get 18 hours of free movie downloads per month. Some users with more expensive plans will get up to 48 hours free. What are the limitations? The service will only work on computers running Windows XP or Vista software. That means the movies can't be watched on cell phones, TVs or video iPods, let alone computers that run on Apple's operating system.
Also only about 1,000 choices will be available initially, even though Netflix has over 70,000 DVD titles in stock. Like most movie download sites, many of those will be so-called B movies, mostly not worth watching. But there will be some classy titles available right away such as "Network," "Amadeus," "Chinatown" and "The Bridge On the River Kwai."
Netflix is being pretty smart about introducing this new service. Initially, only a limited number of customers will be allowed access to the new service. Then, about 250,000 new customers will be added each week until every subscriber has the option to use the service by June. Netflix wants to make sure that its computers can comfortably handle the workload. The company has alloted over $40 million to add this service.
The system works by streaming video directly to the customer's computer rather than downloading it entirely. The show begins almost immediately after the customer places the order and the customer must stay on-line during the show. Netflix's innovative system is also designed to adjust the picture's resolution based on a user's cable bandwidth so that the movie doesn't freeze during play.
Despite its limitations, the online delivery system represents a significant step for Netflix as it tries to avoid obsolescence after the Internet becomes the preferred method for piping movies into homes. Even though the company has been growing and is profitable, its stock has been dropping steadily lately as experts predict the company will eventually become unprofitable as the Internet slowly becomes the movie delivery system of choice. I am not sure I agree with this outlook, but what do I know.
Online movie delivery already is available through services like CinemaNow, MovieFlix, Movielink, Vongo and Amazon.com Inc.'s recently launched Unbox. Apple Inc. also is emerging as major player, with hundreds of movies and TV shows on sale at its iTunes store and a new device that promises to transport media from a computer to a TV screen.
For instance, I am signed up for their $17.99 service and will get 18 hours of free movie downloads per month. Some users with more expensive plans will get up to 48 hours free. What are the limitations? The service will only work on computers running Windows XP or Vista software. That means the movies can't be watched on cell phones, TVs or video iPods, let alone computers that run on Apple's operating system.
Also only about 1,000 choices will be available initially, even though Netflix has over 70,000 DVD titles in stock. Like most movie download sites, many of those will be so-called B movies, mostly not worth watching. But there will be some classy titles available right away such as "Network," "Amadeus," "Chinatown" and "The Bridge On the River Kwai."
Netflix is being pretty smart about introducing this new service. Initially, only a limited number of customers will be allowed access to the new service. Then, about 250,000 new customers will be added each week until every subscriber has the option to use the service by June. Netflix wants to make sure that its computers can comfortably handle the workload. The company has alloted over $40 million to add this service.
The system works by streaming video directly to the customer's computer rather than downloading it entirely. The show begins almost immediately after the customer places the order and the customer must stay on-line during the show. Netflix's innovative system is also designed to adjust the picture's resolution based on a user's cable bandwidth so that the movie doesn't freeze during play.
Despite its limitations, the online delivery system represents a significant step for Netflix as it tries to avoid obsolescence after the Internet becomes the preferred method for piping movies into homes. Even though the company has been growing and is profitable, its stock has been dropping steadily lately as experts predict the company will eventually become unprofitable as the Internet slowly becomes the movie delivery system of choice. I am not sure I agree with this outlook, but what do I know.
Online movie delivery already is available through services like CinemaNow, MovieFlix, Movielink, Vongo and Amazon.com Inc.'s recently launched Unbox. Apple Inc. also is emerging as major player, with hundreds of movies and TV shows on sale at its iTunes store and a new device that promises to transport media from a computer to a TV screen.
But none of those online services have caught on like Netflix's mail-delivery system, partly because movie and TV studios generally release their best material on DVD's first. The studios have had little incentive to change their ways because DVD's still generate about $16 billion of highly profitable sales.
When I get access to this new service, I will definitely give it a spin and let you know the results. Like all new toys, I look forward to it.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Some Follow-ups
Every once in a while, I like to write a follow-up blog about items I have written in the past and give you some updates. This is one of those days.
Microsoft Office Accounting 2007
This is the free small business accounting software from Microsoft I told you about on 11/8/06. I did download it and played with it for some time...and let me tell you this is a very good piece of software. Rather than some obscure traditional accounting programs that are out there and only a CPA can understand, this program bears a close resemblance to Quickbooks, and works just as well....and is a whole lot cheaper (try free). If you are in business or going to start a business in 2007, give this free software a look. It is very, very good.
System Suite 7
I wrote about this one on 12/24/06, even though I had not received it as yet. Of course, I have received it and used it. It is a good piece of software and I recommend it. If you remember, I bought it mainly for the ability to clean up my Windows XP registry on all our computers. So far, I have run it on three computers and all three are loading Windows much faster these days, cutting down on wait time between turning the computer on and when I can actually use it.
It also has a great feature for reviewing your startup programs to help you get rid of those items you don't need (thereby freeing up more memory). After each startup item, it lists its purpose and tells you whether you really need it or not.
Another program that came with the software was V-Com's Anti-Spam, a good program that cleans up your spam e-mail's before they get to your computer. If you use Thunderbird or Outlook Express, this one would really help you.
There are a couple of things that I have had problems with (it comes with over 60 different programs), but it is still a good piece of software...and you get three licenses with it for three computers.
CounterSpy
I've written about this program on several occasions and still like it very much. The new Version 2 is currently in beta testing. However, I did discover one thing about it that I don't like very much. In using System Suite 7, I became more aware of how much memory each program takes. I discovered that if you have "Active Protection" running with Counterspy, it takes up almost 200 Mbs of memory.
That means if you have 1 GB of system memory, 20% of it is used to run Counterspy...almost 40% if you only have 512 Mb of memory in your computer. That is way too much. I solved the problem by disabling the Active Protection. My computer is still protected as I run Counterspy every night automatically to scan my system for any new problems.
By the way, you don't need any additional software to see your memory usage. With Windows XP, just hold down the Control, Alt, and Delete keys at the same time. That will bring up the Windows Task Manager. Then, just click on the Performance tab and your physical memory usage will be displayed in the lower right corner. If you click on the Processes tab, you can see how much memory each running program is using.
IPhone
I wrote about this new device from Apple last week. It was, by far, the #1 subject of conversation at both CES in Vegas and the MacWorld show in San Francisco. In less than a week, the naysayers and doubters are already out. Here is an interesting article entitled "Thirteen Reasons to Doubt the iPhone." It is good reading, if such things interest you.
FolderShare
This might just be best software I have used this year. I wrote about this one on 12/5/06. If you remember, it allows you to synch your various computers so they always have the same data at all times. It has changed the way I use my computers for the better. For instance, I can update my calendar at home, and when I get to work, my office computer has all the same information. I have tested it and it synchronizes your files almost instantaneously.
I have an external hard drive that I use to back up my main computer automatically every night. When that computer was at home, I could also backup all of Susan's documents. When I opened my studio, the computer and the external backup drive moved downtown. I had no way to backup Susan's stuff. Now, with FolderShare, her data is backed up almost as soon as she does a save, even though the backup drive is at the studio. This is the greatest invention since sliced bread and I can't recommend it enough.
Misc.
Regarding my blog in December about the new Yahoo TV...I am still waiting for it to load.
I am also still waiting to hear from Microsoft to see if they will bribe me with a new laptop.
Microsoft Office Accounting 2007
This is the free small business accounting software from Microsoft I told you about on 11/8/06. I did download it and played with it for some time...and let me tell you this is a very good piece of software. Rather than some obscure traditional accounting programs that are out there and only a CPA can understand, this program bears a close resemblance to Quickbooks, and works just as well....and is a whole lot cheaper (try free). If you are in business or going to start a business in 2007, give this free software a look. It is very, very good.
System Suite 7
I wrote about this one on 12/24/06, even though I had not received it as yet. Of course, I have received it and used it. It is a good piece of software and I recommend it. If you remember, I bought it mainly for the ability to clean up my Windows XP registry on all our computers. So far, I have run it on three computers and all three are loading Windows much faster these days, cutting down on wait time between turning the computer on and when I can actually use it.
It also has a great feature for reviewing your startup programs to help you get rid of those items you don't need (thereby freeing up more memory). After each startup item, it lists its purpose and tells you whether you really need it or not.
Another program that came with the software was V-Com's Anti-Spam, a good program that cleans up your spam e-mail's before they get to your computer. If you use Thunderbird or Outlook Express, this one would really help you.
There are a couple of things that I have had problems with (it comes with over 60 different programs), but it is still a good piece of software...and you get three licenses with it for three computers.
CounterSpy
I've written about this program on several occasions and still like it very much. The new Version 2 is currently in beta testing. However, I did discover one thing about it that I don't like very much. In using System Suite 7, I became more aware of how much memory each program takes. I discovered that if you have "Active Protection" running with Counterspy, it takes up almost 200 Mbs of memory.
That means if you have 1 GB of system memory, 20% of it is used to run Counterspy...almost 40% if you only have 512 Mb of memory in your computer. That is way too much. I solved the problem by disabling the Active Protection. My computer is still protected as I run Counterspy every night automatically to scan my system for any new problems.
By the way, you don't need any additional software to see your memory usage. With Windows XP, just hold down the Control, Alt, and Delete
IPhone
I wrote about this new device from Apple last week. It was, by far, the #1 subject of conversation at both CES in Vegas and the MacWorld show in San Francisco. In less than a week, the naysayers and doubters are already out. Here is an interesting article entitled "Thirteen Reasons to Doubt the iPhone." It is good reading, if such things interest you.
FolderShare
This might just be best software I have used this year. I wrote about this one on 12/5/06. If you remember, it allows you to synch your various computers so they always have the same data at all times. It has changed the way I use my computers for the better. For instance, I can update my calendar at home, and when I get to work, my office computer has all the same information. I have tested it and it synchronizes your files almost instantaneously.
I have an external hard drive that I use to back up my main computer automatically every night. When that computer was at home, I could also backup all of Susan's documents. When I opened my studio, the computer and the external backup drive moved downtown. I had no way to backup Susan's stuff. Now, with FolderShare, her data is backed up almost as soon as she does a save, even though the backup drive is at the studio. This is the greatest invention since sliced bread and I can't recommend it enough.
Misc.
Regarding my blog in December about the new Yahoo TV...I am still waiting for it to load.
I am also still waiting to hear from Microsoft to see if they will bribe me with a new laptop.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Getting Ready for Vista
I read an interesting article this morning about the forthcoming release of Windows Vista on January 30. In the report, the question was asked if consumers could still purchase computers equipped with Windows XP on or after January 30. The answer was an emphatic no!
If you go online and are looking at computers on January 29, they will be equipped with XP. On January 30, those same computers you looked at the day before will be equipped with Vista. That was a bit of a shock, but that's the way it goes. My recommendation is that if you want a new computer, wait until after the switch- over to Vista, on or after January 30, then buy a computer equipped with a dual-core processor and at least 1.5 Gb of memory. ( And if you do buy a dual-core processor, get the AMD to save money and get better performance.)
If speed isn't that important to you and you want to save a few dollars, then buy a single-core processor from either AMD or Intel before January 30 equipped with XP. Still, I would recommend at least 1 Gb of memory.
There is one exception to buying a new computer after January 30. Some dealers that sell computers to businesses and corporations will continue to sell computers with XP after that date so that companies can still have all-XP machines to make it easier for their IT departments.
And speaking of businesses...Another report issued today by the NPD Group says that corporate sales of Vista are much higher than expected. Remember, that Vista has been available for about a month to the corporate world. Commercial revenue from Vista in December was 62.5 percent above that racked up by Windows 2000 in March 2000, its first month after launch. But Vista's total is 3.7 percent below what Microsoft got in the commercial channel for Windows XP in November 2001, its first month on the market.
Counting down - 18 days to Vista.
If you go online and are looking at computers on January 29, they will be equipped with XP. On January 30, those same computers you looked at the day before will be equipped with Vista. That was a bit of a shock, but that's the way it goes. My recommendation is that if you want a new computer, wait until after the switch- over to Vista, on or after January 30, then buy a computer equipped with a dual-core processor and at least 1.5 Gb of memory. ( And if you do buy a dual-core processor, get the AMD to save money and get better performance.)
If speed isn't that important to you and you want to save a few dollars, then buy a single-core processor from either AMD or Intel before January 30 equipped with XP. Still, I would recommend at least 1 Gb of memory.
There is one exception to buying a new computer after January 30. Some dealers that sell computers to businesses and corporations will continue to sell computers with XP after that date so that companies can still have all-XP machines to make it easier for their IT departments.
And speaking of businesses...Another report issued today by the NPD Group says that corporate sales of Vista are much higher than expected. Remember, that Vista has been available for about a month to the corporate world. Commercial revenue from Vista in December was 62.5 percent above that racked up by Windows 2000 in March 2000, its first month after launch. But Vista's total is 3.7 percent below what Microsoft got in the commercial channel for Windows XP in November 2001, its first month on the market.
Counting down - 18 days to Vista.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Taxing Software Reviews
Yes, that time of year has rolled around again. It's time to fess up and pay your taxes. Now, most of us don't even start thinking about our 1040's until around February when we have all our W2's, 1099's and other forms in-hand. But, I thought I would give you an early heads-up on which tax preparation software you might wish to choose, if you do your own taxes.
PC Magazine has done an in-depth review of the top three tax programs for 2006, TurboTax, TaxCut, and TaxAct. Unfortunately, they did not put them all in one place, so you will have to click on each link independently to read the reviews. But, if you want to know the full scoop on each one, it is worth the trouble.
If you don't want to read the reviews, here is the bottom line: TurboTax got the Editor's Choice Award, by a country mile. It seems TaxCut has fallen behind in features and is only recommended for those folks who have used it in the past. TaxAct, as was true in the past, is a distant third. Also, TaxAct used to be free, but is not any longer.
There are also several versions of each software, depending on your filing needs. The good news for fellow Washingtonians is that we can usually get the least expensive version as we have no state income tax. To determine correctly which version of a particular software you should buy, I recommend you look at the back of a package of any version of your software of choice where there are usually comparison charts to help you determine which version is best for you.
Also, there are several sites on the Web where you can do your taxes. PC Magazine did a review a year ago, and if that is an option for you, you might want to read it, even if it is a year old.
PC Magazine has done an in-depth review of the top three tax programs for 2006, TurboTax, TaxCut, and TaxAct. Unfortunately, they did not put them all in one place, so you will have to click on each link independently to read the reviews. But, if you want to know the full scoop on each one, it is worth the trouble.
If you don't want to read the reviews, here is the bottom line: TurboTax got the Editor's Choice Award, by a country mile. It seems TaxCut has fallen behind in features and is only recommended for those folks who have used it in the past. TaxAct, as was true in the past, is a distant third. Also, TaxAct used to be free, but is not any longer.
There are also several versions of each software, depending on your filing needs. The good news for fellow Washingtonians is that we can usually get the least expensive version as we have no state income tax. To determine correctly which version of a particular software you should buy, I recommend you look at the back of a package of any version of your software of choice where there are usually comparison charts to help you determine which version is best for you.
Also, there are several sites on the Web where you can do your taxes. PC Magazine did a review a year ago, and if that is an option for you, you might want to read it, even if it is a year old.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Lots of New Toys at CES
If you love looking at all of technology's newest stuff, CES is the show for you. Held once a year in January in Las Vegas, this show combines not only the newest consumer appliances, but all the computers, software, hardware and other things that used to comprise the old COMDEX show that was once the king of Las Vegas. I used to go to Comdex almost every year and loved it! But, I noticed that the last two shows I attended were a bit of a letdown because I had already seen most of the new stuff on the then-rapidly evolving Internet.
Now, with all the great way to see things on the Net, I don't feel the need to go to Vegas anymore, a trip I really don't miss at all. It's all there for you to see on the Net...and today I will give you a few links here so you can see some of the neat new things for yourself.
The most intriguing toy so far, and the biggest splash in Vegas this week, is the new iPhone from Apple. Although it won't be released until June, and only with a two year contract from Cingular, the iPhone combines all the features of an iPod (music and video with a new very large screen), a telephone, and a web browser...complete with Apple's OS/X operating system. For all that it does, its amazingly small, but powerful. For more info, read the article from eWeek Magazine.
You can also see much more at CES by going to the special CNET Website that has many of the new products listed as well as the best-in-show awards. I personally like all the videos on the new products on the CNET TV Website, including Steve Jobs' presentation introducing the iPhone. That was a lot of fun to watch.
PS. For reasons yet to be explained, Apples big MacWorld Expo is also being held this week in San Francisco. You can also get the latest news and product information from there on CNET.
Now, with all the great way to see things on the Net, I don't feel the need to go to Vegas anymore, a trip I really don't miss at all. It's all there for you to see on the Net...and today I will give you a few links here so you can see some of the neat new things for yourself.
The most intriguing toy so far, and the biggest splash in Vegas this week, is the new iPhone from Apple. Although it won't be released until June, and only with a two year contract from Cingular, the iPhone combines all the features of an iPod (music and video with a new very large screen), a telephone, and a web browser...complete with Apple's OS/X operating system. For all that it does, its amazingly small, but powerful. For more info, read the article from eWeek Magazine.
You can also see much more at CES by going to the special CNET Website that has many of the new products listed as well as the best-in-show awards. I personally like all the videos on the new products on the CNET TV Website, including Steve Jobs' presentation introducing the iPhone. That was a lot of fun to watch.
PS. For reasons yet to be explained, Apples big MacWorld Expo is also being held this week in San Francisco. You can also get the latest news and product information from there on CNET.
Monday, January 08, 2007
More Stupidity From the Halls of Congress
This story is just too good to pass up. When somebody associated with Congress does something really stupid, it just seems funnier than if some other average person did it. While the person in question here is not actually a congressman, he is (or was) the Press Secretary to Republican Congressman Denny Rehberg of Montana. His name is Todd Shriber and here is his incredible story.
It seems Todd, age 28 and a graduate of Texas Christian University, decided that he needed to improve his college grades and went looking for a hacker to break into the University's computers. He visited the web site of attrition.org, a security web site that is on a "crusade to expose industry frauds and inform the public about incorrect information in computer security articles."
Good-ol' Todd decided these were the very folks he needed to help him with his plan. So he started e-mailing two of the experts there about his needs. Needless to say, the fellows he wrote had no interest in performing anything illegal, but decided to goad Todd on to fully reveal is plan. Two members of attrition.org, "Lyger" and "Jericho" (a.k.a. "security curmudgeon") corresponded with Todd and fooled him into believing that they would carry out his wishes, with Jericho warning him at one point: "You are soliciting me to break the law and hack into a computer across state lines. That is a federal offense and multiple felonies."
But, Todd persisted and eventually revealed all. Jerico and Lyger kept goading him on, even including a story about using pigeons and squirrels to help with the hack. Good ol' Todd bought it all, hook, line, and sinker. Finally, the two hackers decided to end the conversations by telling him that they had been detected by TCU's security system and that they were about to be busted. They also told Todd that the university had information about him also, warning him of probable visit by law enforcement agencies.
In the meantime, the two imps from attrition.com published all the e-mails from Todd on their website, not really knowing who he was or where he worked. Around the same time, a very savvy reporter from Network World did a little digging and found out who Todd really was, then published to the story. Needless-to-say, Todd's employment as a congressional aide was terminated the next day.
Todd reaction, as quoted in the Network World article, "I did something that's greatly out of character for me and it's a mistake that I regret." He also went on to say, "A solicitation was made but no action was performed. These are people misrepresenting themselves for a laugh."
No one really knows how bad Todd's grades at TCU were, but he apparently felt the need to change them so people would not think him to be stupid. Now, why would anyone think that?
If you would like to read all the e-mails involved in this case, including those involving pigeons and squirrels, you can see them at the attrition.com web site. Here is also the link to the Network World article.
It seems Todd, age 28 and a graduate of Texas Christian University, decided that he needed to improve his college grades and went looking for a hacker to break into the University's computers. He visited the web site of attrition.org, a security web site that is on a "crusade to expose industry frauds and inform the public about incorrect information in computer security articles."
Good-ol' Todd decided these were the very folks he needed to help him with his plan. So he started e-mailing two of the experts there about his needs. Needless to say, the fellows he wrote had no interest in performing anything illegal, but decided to goad Todd on to fully reveal is plan. Two members of attrition.org, "Lyger" and "Jericho" (a.k.a. "security curmudgeon") corresponded with Todd and fooled him into believing that they would carry out his wishes, with Jericho warning him at one point: "You are soliciting me to break the law and hack into a computer across state lines. That is a federal offense and multiple felonies."
But, Todd persisted and eventually revealed all. Jerico and Lyger kept goading him on, even including a story about using pigeons and squirrels to help with the hack. Good ol' Todd bought it all, hook, line, and sinker. Finally, the two hackers decided to end the conversations by telling him that they had been detected by TCU's security system and that they were about to be busted. They also told Todd that the university had information about him also, warning him of probable visit by law enforcement agencies.
In the meantime, the two imps from attrition.com published all the e-mails from Todd on their website, not really knowing who he was or where he worked. Around the same time, a very savvy reporter from Network World did a little digging and found out who Todd really was, then published to the story. Needless-to-say, Todd's employment as a congressional aide was terminated the next day.
Todd reaction, as quoted in the Network World article, "I did something that's greatly out of character for me and it's a mistake that I regret." He also went on to say, "A solicitation was made but no action was performed. These are people misrepresenting themselves for a laugh."
No one really knows how bad Todd's grades at TCU were, but he apparently felt the need to change them so people would not think him to be stupid. Now, why would anyone think that?
If you would like to read all the e-mails involved in this case, including those involving pigeons and squirrels, you can see them at the attrition.com web site. Here is also the link to the Network World article.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Video Updates
Next week is the annual huge Consumer Electronics Show (CES), in Las Vegas. Many new technolgies will be announced and on display and we will try and keep you apprised of the more interesting ones. But, there is a lot going on in the world of video that we can tell you about right now, especially in high definition DVD players and high definition TV's.
HI-DEF DVD PLAYERS
As we have documented here in past blogs, there are two competing technologies in this field, Blu-ray and and HD-DVD. These two incompatible systems are vying for not only a place in consumer's living rooms, but in computers and, even bigger, the Hollywood studios. There is no clear winner yet...and in fact, both are losing.
For instance, the Computer Electronics Association had predicted that 750,000 of these units would be shipped in 2006. In fact, only 250,000 were shipped. Consumers are staying away in droves from these players until a clear winner is declared. And for the prices these players currently demand, who can blame us.
Some experts predicted that we would see DVD manufacturers put together units that will play both technologies. That is now starting to happen. NEC has developed a controller chip that will handle both systems. One chip that works with both standards could cut the cost of building a player that accommodates Blu-ray and HD DVD discs. The chip will start shipping in April.
Meanwhile, South Korea's LG Electronics said it would launch a DVD player that supports both. LG was a high-profile supporter of the Blu-ray format, backed by Sony until it said early last year it would join the Toshiba-led HD DVD camp as well.
In another move, Warner Bros., which helped popularize the DVD more than a decade ago, plans to announce next week a single videodisc that can play films and television programs in both technologies. They plan to formally announce the new disc, which it is calling a Total HD disc, at CES.
I actually thought one or the other system would win out, much like the VHS/Betamax wars many years ago. But, it's beginning to look like both will win, if the new forthcoming players can handle both...or DVD manufacturers can put out one disk that plays both. Stay tuned as it is still early days yet in this war.
HI-DEF TELEVISIONS
I just read an interesting article on what to expect in High Definition TV's this year. Rather than translate it, I will let you read it for yourself as it is quite interesting, although a bit techie. In seeing the trends toward lower prices and reading other articles about some of the new fortcoming improvements, I would lean towards waiting a little longer before stepping up to buy one of those lovely high definition sets. Prices just keep dropping and pictures just keep getting better.
HI-DEF DVD PLAYERS
As we have documented here in past blogs, there are two competing technologies in this field, Blu-ray and and HD-DVD. These two incompatible systems are vying for not only a place in consumer's living rooms, but in computers and, even bigger, the Hollywood studios. There is no clear winner yet...and in fact, both are losing.
For instance, the Computer Electronics Association had predicted that 750,000 of these units would be shipped in 2006. In fact, only 250,000 were shipped. Consumers are staying away in droves from these players until a clear winner is declared. And for the prices these players currently demand, who can blame us.
Some experts predicted that we would see DVD manufacturers put together units that will play both technologies. That is now starting to happen. NEC has developed a controller chip that will handle both systems. One chip that works with both standards could cut the cost of building a player that accommodates Blu-ray and HD DVD discs. The chip will start shipping in April.
Meanwhile, South Korea's LG Electronics said it would launch a DVD player that supports both. LG was a high-profile supporter of the Blu-ray format, backed by Sony until it said early last year it would join the Toshiba-led HD DVD camp as well.
In another move, Warner Bros., which helped popularize the DVD more than a decade ago, plans to announce next week a single videodisc that can play films and television programs in both technologies. They plan to formally announce the new disc, which it is calling a Total HD disc, at CES.
I actually thought one or the other system would win out, much like the VHS/Betamax wars many years ago. But, it's beginning to look like both will win, if the new forthcoming players can handle both...or DVD manufacturers can put out one disk that plays both. Stay tuned as it is still early days yet in this war.
HI-DEF TELEVISIONS
I just read an interesting article on what to expect in High Definition TV's this year. Rather than translate it, I will let you read it for yourself as it is quite interesting, although a bit techie. In seeing the trends toward lower prices and reading other articles about some of the new fortcoming improvements, I would lean towards waiting a little longer before stepping up to buy one of those lovely high definition sets. Prices just keep dropping and pictures just keep getting better.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
BADVISTA.ORG - The Name Says It All
I suspect the launch of this new website, badvista.org, was inevitable. This new site, put together by the Free Software Foundation, says right up front the its mission is "exposing the harms inflicted on computer users by the new Microsoft Windows Vista."
According to FSF program administrator John Sullivan, "Vista is an upsell masquerading as an upgrade. It is an overall regression when you look at the most important aspect of owning and using a computer: your control over what it does. Obviously MS Windows is already proprietary and very restrictive, and well worth rejecting. But the new 'features' in Vista are a Trojan Horse to smuggle in even more restrictions. We'll be focusing attention on detailing how they work, how to resist them, and why people should care.”
Right now, the site consists mainly on negative stories about Vista from a variety of sources. Of course, you must realize that the FSF, as its name implies, is a huge supporter of Linux and other freeware products. But, after reading so much lately about Vista, both pro and con, I think they have a point about Vista being an upsell rather than a real upgrade. There really isn't all that much new about it. The Aero graphical interface is cool and their security has been improved...but that's about it. The rest of the changes are small and perhaps not worth the money.
(Disclosure...I am not writing a negative article here because I didn't get a free computer from Microsoft (see last blog). I still have not heard from Microsoft, probably because of the holidays.)
According to FSF program administrator John Sullivan, "Vista is an upsell masquerading as an upgrade. It is an overall regression when you look at the most important aspect of owning and using a computer: your control over what it does. Obviously MS Windows is already proprietary and very restrictive, and well worth rejecting. But the new 'features' in Vista are a Trojan Horse to smuggle in even more restrictions. We'll be focusing attention on detailing how they work, how to resist them, and why people should care.”
Right now, the site consists mainly on negative stories about Vista from a variety of sources. Of course, you must realize that the FSF, as its name implies, is a huge supporter of Linux and other freeware products. But, after reading so much lately about Vista, both pro and con, I think they have a point about Vista being an upsell rather than a real upgrade. There really isn't all that much new about it. The Aero graphical interface is cool and their security has been improved...but that's about it. The rest of the changes are small and perhaps not worth the money.
(Disclosure...I am not writing a negative article here because I didn't get a free computer from Microsoft (see last blog). I still have not heard from Microsoft, probably because of the holidays.)
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Dear Microsoft...I Can Be Bribed
Dear Friends at Microsoft,
It was with great interest that I read this week that you gave a number of free laptop computers equipped with the new Windows Vista operating system to technology bloggers . What a great idea! Those few bloggers who have admitted receiving this wonderful Christmas gift, along with those who have not yet admitted it, must have been thrilled when they opened their box. I can only imagine since I was not one of those lucky bloggers who received one.
And you spent some dollars on these machine. WOW! They were not cheap laptops by any means. They were Acer Ferrari 5000's equipped with an AMD Turion 64 x2 dual-core 2GHz CPU, 2GB of DDR2-667 RAM, AMD-ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 on a 15.4-inch widescreen. It also has a 160GB SATA drive, HD-DVD reader and burner as well as a 1.3mp camera. And, of course, preloaded with Vista. My God, guys, these things cost $2,299! Of course, you know that a cheaper laptop without a dual core chip and two Gigs of memory would run Vista a lot slower, so big bucks were required.
Since decent advertising would cost much more that Acer Ferrari's, this was a brilliant marketing ploy on your part...and very smart, too. Since bloggers are not considered true journalists, they can keep their gifts with no repercussions...whereas a real journalist, such as those who work on newspapers, TV or radio, are required to return such gifts by the very ethics of their profession, not to mention the companies they work for. But, bloggers, like myself, who are bound only by their conscience, can keep their newfound laptops and easily figure out some way in their minds to justify keeping it.
And, no doubt, they would wind up giving your products great reviews as part of their justification. I know I probably would. But to be honest, I like many of your products and have given them good reviews on these pages. And I know your new operating system and other new products that are not out yet are probably really good, even if they require a more expensive computer to run them.
My question is why I was not on the list to get one of these laptops? I have been blogging for several years and writing weekly technology newsletters before that. I have a loyal following of intelligent readers from around the world, many of whom are on a list to automatically receive an e-mail copy of my blog every time I write one. They rely on me for good information, so, I am a perfect target for a new laptop. I write about technology for the common man...the majority of folks who don't know a bit from a byte, who only want computers to be a useful tool in their lives.
Now, if you are mad at me for those few times that I have hammered you for either lousy software products (remember Bob or Windows ME) or your business ethics...you know deep down I was right, so don't hold that against me. You have hurt a lot of people who have trusted you. Someone needs to be your conscience to remind you of your occasional errant ways. My wife Susan does that for me...but who do you have other than a few journalists and bloggers like me.
But, I know that if I had an Acer Ferrari in my hands, I would give Vista a great review...many times probably. In fact, I will make it even easier for you. If you would give me a new desktop computer, comparably equipped, I would still give you a great review and you could save some major dollars. I don't even need a monitor because I have two extras sitting around doing nothing. How's that for a good deal? For the money I am saving you, you could probably throw in a copy of the new Microsoft Office and I would give you another great review or two. After all, I use Office now and love it. I am perfect for one of your promotional computers.
I anxiously await your reply.
It was with great interest that I read this week that you gave a number of free laptop computers equipped with the new Windows Vista operating system to technology bloggers . What a great idea! Those few bloggers who have admitted receiving this wonderful Christmas gift, along with those who have not yet admitted it, must have been thrilled when they opened their box. I can only imagine since I was not one of those lucky bloggers who received one.
And you spent some dollars on these machine. WOW! They were not cheap laptops by any means. They were Acer Ferrari 5000's equipped with an AMD Turion 64 x2 dual-core 2GHz CPU, 2GB of DDR2-667 RAM, AMD-ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 on a 15.4-inch widescreen. It also has a 160GB SATA drive, HD-DVD reader and burner as well as a 1.3mp camera. And, of course, preloaded with Vista. My God, guys, these things cost $2,299! Of course, you know that a cheaper laptop without a dual core chip and two Gigs of memory would run Vista a lot slower, so big bucks were required.
Since decent advertising would cost much more that Acer Ferrari's, this was a brilliant marketing ploy on your part...and very smart, too. Since bloggers are not considered true journalists, they can keep their gifts with no repercussions...whereas a real journalist, such as those who work on newspapers, TV or radio, are required to return such gifts by the very ethics of their profession, not to mention the companies they work for. But, bloggers, like myself, who are bound only by their conscience, can keep their newfound laptops and easily figure out some way in their minds to justify keeping it.
And, no doubt, they would wind up giving your products great reviews as part of their justification. I know I probably would. But to be honest, I like many of your products and have given them good reviews on these pages. And I know your new operating system and other new products that are not out yet are probably really good, even if they require a more expensive computer to run them.
My question is why I was not on the list to get one of these laptops? I have been blogging for several years and writing weekly technology newsletters before that. I have a loyal following of intelligent readers from around the world, many of whom are on a list to automatically receive an e-mail copy of my blog every time I write one. They rely on me for good information, so, I am a perfect target for a new laptop. I write about technology for the common man...the majority of folks who don't know a bit from a byte, who only want computers to be a useful tool in their lives.
Now, if you are mad at me for those few times that I have hammered you for either lousy software products (remember Bob or Windows ME) or your business ethics...you know deep down I was right, so don't hold that against me. You have hurt a lot of people who have trusted you. Someone needs to be your conscience to remind you of your occasional errant ways. My wife Susan does that for me...but who do you have other than a few journalists and bloggers like me.
But, I know that if I had an Acer Ferrari in my hands, I would give Vista a great review...many times probably. In fact, I will make it even easier for you. If you would give me a new desktop computer, comparably equipped, I would still give you a great review and you could save some major dollars. I don't even need a monitor because I have two extras sitting around doing nothing. How's that for a good deal? For the money I am saving you, you could probably throw in a copy of the new Microsoft Office and I would give you another great review or two. After all, I use Office now and love it. I am perfect for one of your promotional computers.
I anxiously await your reply.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
First Vista Speed Tests
Now that the release of Microsoft's new operating system, Windows Vista, is just around the corner, maybe it's time to look at whether or not you should upgrade your computer to accommodate Vista...or just buy a whole new machine...or do nothing. To that end, PC World Magazine has done an in-depth testing study on these issues. If Vista is of interest to you, I think you should read the entire article.
If you don't want to do that, here is a quick summary:
After reading the article from PC World, I know now that I will need to buy one with a dual-core processor, more memory, and its own video card, if I want to run Vista. But about the only thing that is really cool about Vista is Aero. At a minimum, I am looking at at least $250 more for a computer (probably more) to have the Vista operating system that will run Aero. I haven't made a decision yet, but I am leaning toward saving my money and just getting one with XP. Vista will not help me paint or process photographs any better.
If you would like to learn more about Vista and its features, head over to the Microsoft Web site. It is worth the effort.
If you don't want to do that, here is a quick summary:
- Vista is generally slower on most PC's except those running dual-core processors.
- The absolute minimum of RAM that you need is 1 GB. 2 GB is a better idea.
- If you wish to use Aero, the stunning new visual display that comes with Vista, you will need a separate video card with its own memory. Many computers today come with integrated graphics built on to the motherboard and if you use Aero with those kinds of machines, you can expect a major slowdown in performance. Aero can be turned off.
- If you have a high-end 64 bit processor, Vista runs slower than the standard 32 bit processors that most of us have.
After reading the article from PC World, I know now that I will need to buy one with a dual-core processor, more memory, and its own video card, if I want to run Vista. But about the only thing that is really cool about Vista is Aero. At a minimum, I am looking at at least $250 more for a computer (probably more) to have the Vista operating system that will run Aero. I haven't made a decision yet, but I am leaning toward saving my money and just getting one with XP. Vista will not help me paint or process photographs any better.
If you would like to learn more about Vista and its features, head over to the Microsoft Web site. It is worth the effort.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Jim Spends Money on Software
I know I am always talking about some of the great free software that is out there to be had with a simple download, but today, I am going to freely admit that I just made a software purchase that I think is going to be very helpful.
I say "think" because I haven't tried it out yet. I am only going by what I read...and what I read has been very good. The program is called "System Suite 7," by VCOM. It is a collection of over 60 helpful utilities, many of which I plan to try out right away. Now if you have read my blogs before, you know I usually don't write about any software until I have tried it out. But there is a reason for this change in direction, which I will tell you about shortly.
All this started a couple of weeks ago when I decided to do some research on utilities designed to clean up one's System Registry. The Windows System Registry, as defined by Wikepedia is, "a database which stores settings and options for the operating system for Microsoft Windows, Windows Mobile. It contains information and settings for all the hardware, operating system software (and most of non-operating system software too), users, and preferences of the PC and so on. Whenever a user makes changes to "Control Panel" settings, or file associations, system policies, or installed software, the changes are reflected and stored in the registry."
The registry is a vital part of Windows. You can manually update and change your own registry, but if you make a mistake or erase something you shouldn't, you could wind up in deep doo-doo. Your computer might just not boot up. But, one of the problems with Windows is that over time, the registry becomes bloated with information about programs that have long since been deleted from your system or old listings for removed hardware. After a time, the registry can become so big with now-useless information that it can slow down your computer, both at startup and during use.
My computers are about three years old and I got to thinking about my registry, especially since one of my computers is taking a long time to start up. So, with that in mind and the fact it might make the subject of an interesting blog, I started doing some research...hopefully to find a free program that might do the trick.
I soon learned that there were lots of "free" programs out there that could analyze and repair my registry. So I download a few of them and tried them out. And guess what? They found lots of errors, as I suspected, but when I went to repair those errors, all of the "free" software products would repair 2-3 of my errors, but then say I had to buy a "Pro Version" to fix them all.
Well, forget that...at least for now. Since I couldn't find any for free that would do the entire operation, I started thinking about buying a product. So, I looked for reviews of these types of products to look for the best. Initially, I found several sites that reviewed System Registry repair software...and they all highly recommended different products. Then, in doing a little more research, I found that these sites only reviewed this one type of software, leading me to the conclusion that these were "phony" web sites designed to push one particular product, under the guise of being an independent review site.
So I started looking at review sites that I know are legitimate and that I trust. At the PC Magazine web site, I found that they had reviewed several of Registry Repair products. They gave their Editor's Choice Award to a product called Registry Fixer. And after reading the review, I discovered that the program was not available as a stand-alone product. It was included in two separate software utilities packages from VCOM.
The first is Fix-It Utilities Version 7, with a suggested list price of $49.95; and the second is System Suite 7 Professional Version 7, with a suggested list price of $59.95. With the latter, you get more bang for your buck...many more tools for only $10 more. After reviewing the two products I opted for the System Suite 7 as it would be more useful for me.
Before I officially decided to buy, I decided to look for reviews for the System Suite 7 (or earlier versions) to see if the entire product was worth it. I found out early on that the product is a good one, having garnered many Editor's Choice awards. That clinched it for me.
In doing my comparison shopping, I found that the CompUSA web site had both products for $10 less than the manufacturer's list price. But, here is the kicker and why I am writing about this product having not even used it yet. If you purchase the product prior to 1/1/07, there is a $40 rebate on System Suite 7 and a $20 rebate on Fix-It Utilities. That makes the price $9.95 for System Suite 7 and $19.95 for Fix-It Utilites (plus shipping and tax).
To me, that makes this really worth doing, especially after I decided I wanted to do it anyway. It isn't as good as free, but it ain't bad. I just thought I would let you know about this great buy before it was too late.
I say "think" because I haven't tried it out yet. I am only going by what I read...and what I read has been very good. The program is called "System Suite 7," by VCOM. It is a collection of over 60 helpful utilities, many of which I plan to try out right away. Now if you have read my blogs before, you know I usually don't write about any software until I have tried it out. But there is a reason for this change in direction, which I will tell you about shortly.
All this started a couple of weeks ago when I decided to do some research on utilities designed to clean up one's System Registry. The Windows System Registry, as defined by Wikepedia is, "a database which stores settings and options for the operating system for Microsoft Windows, Windows Mobile. It contains information and settings for all the hardware, operating system software (and most of non-operating system software too), users, and preferences of the PC and so on. Whenever a user makes changes to "Control Panel" settings, or file associations, system policies, or installed software, the changes are reflected and stored in the registry."
The registry is a vital part of Windows. You can manually update and change your own registry, but if you make a mistake or erase something you shouldn't, you could wind up in deep doo-doo. Your computer might just not boot up. But, one of the problems with Windows is that over time, the registry becomes bloated with information about programs that have long since been deleted from your system or old listings for removed hardware. After a time, the registry can become so big with now-useless information that it can slow down your computer, both at startup and during use.
My computers are about three years old and I got to thinking about my registry, especially since one of my computers is taking a long time to start up. So, with that in mind and the fact it might make the subject of an interesting blog, I started doing some research...hopefully to find a free program that might do the trick.
I soon learned that there were lots of "free" programs out there that could analyze and repair my registry. So I download a few of them and tried them out. And guess what? They found lots of errors, as I suspected, but when I went to repair those errors, all of the "free" software products would repair 2-3 of my errors, but then say I had to buy a "Pro Version" to fix them all.
Well, forget that...at least for now. Since I couldn't find any for free that would do the entire operation, I started thinking about buying a product. So, I looked for reviews of these types of products to look for the best. Initially, I found several sites that reviewed System Registry repair software...and they all highly recommended different products. Then, in doing a little more research, I found that these sites only reviewed this one type of software, leading me to the conclusion that these were "phony" web sites designed to push one particular product, under the guise of being an independent review site.
So I started looking at review sites that I know are legitimate and that I trust. At the PC Magazine web site, I found that they had reviewed several of Registry Repair products. They gave their Editor's Choice Award to a product called Registry Fixer. And after reading the review, I discovered that the program was not available as a stand-alone product. It was included in two separate software utilities packages from VCOM.
The first is Fix-It Utilities Version 7, with a suggested list price of $49.95; and the second is System Suite 7 Professional Version 7, with a suggested list price of $59.95. With the latter, you get more bang for your buck...many more tools for only $10 more. After reviewing the two products I opted for the System Suite 7 as it would be more useful for me.
Before I officially decided to buy, I decided to look for reviews for the System Suite 7 (or earlier versions) to see if the entire product was worth it. I found out early on that the product is a good one, having garnered many Editor's Choice awards. That clinched it for me.
In doing my comparison shopping, I found that the CompUSA web site had both products for $10 less than the manufacturer's list price. But, here is the kicker and why I am writing about this product having not even used it yet. If you purchase the product prior to 1/1/07, there is a $40 rebate on System Suite 7 and a $20 rebate on Fix-It Utilities. That makes the price $9.95 for System Suite 7 and $19.95 for Fix-It Utilites (plus shipping and tax).
To me, that makes this really worth doing, especially after I decided I wanted to do it anyway. It isn't as good as free, but it ain't bad. I just thought I would let you know about this great buy before it was too late.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
A New Kind of Anti-Bad Stuff Software
There is a new software product out on the market that detects spyware, viruses, worms, and other kinds of threats to your computer. Called Primary Response Safe Connect, this program is different than any others of its type. Here's why:
Most anti-virus and anti-spyware software requires continuous updates to be effective. If there is some new threat out there and your your software has not been updated to detect it, more than likely it will slip right through your defenses and attack your system. In fact, most companies that make this kind of anti-malware software require a sample before they can defend against it, which means they probably got it from someone who was infected. These types of programs use what is called "string definitions" to detect bad stuff.
Safe Connect is different in that it relies on behavioral techniques to determine if something coming over the Net is a threat. This means that it doesn't code its library on a threat-by-threat basis. It predetermines what the hidden coding will do and determines whether it is a threat or not. This also means that new, previously undetected threats cannot get by it.
PC Magazine did an in-depth review of the product and gave it their Editor's Choice Award. To read the review, head on over to the PC Magazine Website. By the way, it is priced at $24.95.
Most anti-virus and anti-spyware software requires continuous updates to be effective. If there is some new threat out there and your your software has not been updated to detect it, more than likely it will slip right through your defenses and attack your system. In fact, most companies that make this kind of anti-malware software require a sample before they can defend against it, which means they probably got it from someone who was infected. These types of programs use what is called "string definitions" to detect bad stuff.
Safe Connect is different in that it relies on behavioral techniques to determine if something coming over the Net is a threat. This means that it doesn't code its library on a threat-by-threat basis. It predetermines what the hidden coding will do and determines whether it is a threat or not. This also means that new, previously undetected threats cannot get by it.
PC Magazine did an in-depth review of the product and gave it their Editor's Choice Award. To read the review, head on over to the PC Magazine Website. By the way, it is priced at $24.95.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
FireFox Update
Mozilla has released an updated version of both their Firefox 1.5 and 2.0 versions. If you use Firefox, you may have been already notified by your browser that updates were available. If not, go the Mozilla website and download the latest version. It will install right over your existing version in less than a minute.
In addition, if you use the Mozilla e-mail program, Thunderbird, you also should update your software if you haven't been already notified. If this seems like a lot of updates all at once, well, it is. Mozilla has labeled most of the updates "critical," while security-firm Secunia has rated them "highly critical." So apparently something was found that needed to be fixed right away.
The folks at Mozilla were a little less than forthcoming regarding the updates. According to their published statement, "As part of the Firefox 2.0.0.1 and 1.5.0.9 update releases we fixed several bugs to improve the stability of the product. Some of these were crashes that showed evidence of memory corruption and we presume that at least some of these could be exploited to run arbitrary code with enough effort."
In addition, if you use the Mozilla e-mail program, Thunderbird, you also should update your software if you haven't been already notified. If this seems like a lot of updates all at once, well, it is. Mozilla has labeled most of the updates "critical," while security-firm Secunia has rated them "highly critical." So apparently something was found that needed to be fixed right away.
The folks at Mozilla were a little less than forthcoming regarding the updates. According to their published statement, "As part of the Firefox 2.0.0.1 and 1.5.0.9 update releases we fixed several bugs to improve the stability of the product. Some of these were crashes that showed evidence of memory corruption and we presume that at least some of these could be exploited to run arbitrary code with enough effort."
The updates patch a wide range of flaws in Mozilla's products, from problems with RSS feeds to the way that JavaScript is used in e-mail. Mozilla recommends that users disable JavaScript in Thunderbird to prevent unauthorized code from affecting their systems. Other problems fixed by the latest round of updates include the way the browser renders graphics on certain Web sites and the way it renders custom cursors through CSS, or Cascading Style Sheets. The latter problem can lead to buffer overflows, in which a piece of software attempts to use more than its allotted memory and sparks a system crash as a result.
Despite the newly patched flaws, Mozilla's browser is widely believed to be safer than Microsoft's Internet Explorer, which suffers from countless hack attempts on account of its popularity. Even so, if you use Mozilla products, do the updates, if you haven't already done so.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Renaming those Pesky Photos
One of the biggest difficulties we face using digital cameras is renaming all the photos that we keep adding to our computers. I tend to put photographs in folders whose names describe where the pictures were taken, then create the necessary sub folders under the main one. But, even using that system doesn't solve the problems.
For instance, while my Olympus camera gives a unique name to every picture it has ever taken, my Nikon gives the same name over and over every time I put a new (or newly formatted) memory card in the camera. In other words it always starts the name at #1 every time a new card is inserted. This can be a real pain.
For instance, when we were in Yosemite for five days in May, I always dumped my pictures from the camera into the laptop at the end of each day. When I tried to categorize the photos later, such as putting all the pictures of Yosemite Falls into one directory, I couldn't do it as there were duplicate names. I wound up putting putting the pictures in folders named "Day1", "Day 2," etc.
When I work on the photos in Photoshop, that is when I officially name the programs with a descriptive title. However, I do keep the original number in the title so I can go back to the original later, if needed.
Another tool I use on a regular basis is a free program called "Bulk Rename Utility" that allows me to rename photographs or other files on a mass update basis. I can add numbering, prefixes, suffixes and many other items on a mass update basis.
Here's another trick that also might be helpful to you, if you use Windows XP. Let's say you have a folder full of Yosemite pictures. You can rename them at one fell swoop, rather than one-by-one. Here is how:
Let me know if you have a good method for naming and organizing your photographs.
For instance, while my Olympus camera gives a unique name to every picture it has ever taken, my Nikon gives the same name over and over every time I put a new (or newly formatted) memory card in the camera. In other words it always starts the name at #1 every time a new card is inserted. This can be a real pain.
For instance, when we were in Yosemite for five days in May, I always dumped my pictures from the camera into the laptop at the end of each day. When I tried to categorize the photos later, such as putting all the pictures of Yosemite Falls into one directory, I couldn't do it as there were duplicate names. I wound up putting putting the pictures in folders named "Day1", "Day 2," etc.
When I work on the photos in Photoshop, that is when I officially name the programs with a descriptive title. However, I do keep the original number in the title so I can go back to the original later, if needed.
Another tool I use on a regular basis is a free program called "Bulk Rename Utility" that allows me to rename photographs or other files on a mass update basis. I can add numbering, prefixes, suffixes and many other items on a mass update basis.
Here's another trick that also might be helpful to you, if you use Windows XP. Let's say you have a folder full of Yosemite pictures. You can rename them at one fell swoop, rather than one-by-one. Here is how:
- First, open the folder and select View > Thumbnails.
- Click the last picture in the folder you want to rename, hold down the Shift key, and click the first picture; this will select them all.
- Right-click the first photo, and select Rename from the drop-down menu.
Let me know if you have a good method for naming and organizing your photographs.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Disposable E-Mail Addresses
Tired of giving out your correct e-mail address just so you can view some web site? Here is a neat way to give out a disposable, but legitimate e-mail address so you won't be bombarded by spam and other unwanted e-mail.
There is a wonderful free web site there called 2Prong. Wait...don't go there yet. Read my instructions below first. Don't worry, everything I am about to tell you is free and safe to use. Here is how you use it:
Let's say you're on a new site that's asking for your e-mail address so it can confirm your registration. Usually on these type of sites, they will send you a confirming e-mail and ask you to click on a link to make sure you are legitimate. Don't give it your personal e-mail address. Instead, open another browser window and go to 2Prong.com. On the site there will be a throw-away e-mail address, like this: tz9tm057m9@2quarters.com. That address is automatically placed in your clipboard. Do not close the window.
Now go back to the other browser window, the one with the new site in it, and paste in your disposable e-mail address when asked. Then go back to 2Prong. The 2Prong page will display your incoming e-mail as soon as it arrives. There's no in-box per se and no need to refresh the window. Once you've finished the confirmation, close the 2Prong window. The e-mail address expires. And, 2Prong changes domain names every week so you don't have to worry about having your disposable e-mail blocked by e-mail filters.
It sounds more complicated than it is. Just try it sometime and see what I mean.
There is a wonderful free web site there called 2Prong. Wait...don't go there yet. Read my instructions below first. Don't worry, everything I am about to tell you is free and safe to use. Here is how you use it:
Let's say you're on a new site that's asking for your e-mail address so it can confirm your registration. Usually on these type of sites, they will send you a confirming e-mail and ask you to click on a link to make sure you are legitimate. Don't give it your personal e-mail address. Instead, open another browser window and go to 2Prong.com. On the site there will be a throw-away e-mail address, like this: tz9tm057m9@2quarters.com. That address is automatically placed in your clipboard. Do not close the window.
Now go back to the other browser window, the one with the new site in it, and paste in your disposable e-mail address when asked. Then go back to 2Prong. The 2Prong page will display your incoming e-mail as soon as it arrives. There's no in-box per se and no need to refresh the window. Once you've finished the confirmation, close the 2Prong window. The e-mail address expires. And, 2Prong changes domain names every week so you don't have to worry about having your disposable e-mail blocked by e-mail filters.
It sounds more complicated than it is. Just try it sometime and see what I mean.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Yahoo Takes a Winner and Turns it into a Loser
How often do we see it? A company has a winning product that everyone likes. Then they tweak it to the point where it becomes almost useless. Well, Yahoo has done it with their on-line television guide.
For years, I used it faithfully to help me figure out all my choices on Direct TV in the Pacific Time Zone. It loaded quickly when I requested it, allowed me to look at any time to see what was on any channel. I could then click on a channel to see all their offerings for a 24 hours period. I could look forward in time (and even backwards) to figure out what I might want to watch. If I saw a particular program that I might be interested in watching, I could click on it to read the details.
Then, what was really cool, I could click on it to automatically add it to my calendar. This was particularly useful during football season so I could see what games where being shown when, especially college football as there were so many games to chose from (I only watch the ones that interest me). As silly as it sounds and lest you think that I spend all my time watching football, it helped me plan my day, so I only watched the best of the best games.
Not only would the game or a particular TV show appear on my calendar, it would show up on my "My Yahoo" page. But wait...there is more. Yahoo would automatically send me an e-mail at the start of a day to tell me what was on my calendar for that day.
Their old system really worked well, and it help me be really choosy about which programs I watched. Again, you would think by reading this that I watch TV all the time. Not true. This Yahoo system helped me figure out what programs were worth my time (and very few are). As you probably know, I have a great many interests and obligations, so it is important to me how I budget my time. Yahoo's TV guide system really helped me a lot.
So, how did they screw this up? Well, they must have decided that it didn't look "cool" enough. So they redesigned its look and feel. Unfortunately, while it may look cooler, it doesn't work. The page takes forever to load. While I am writing these words, it is still trying to load. If you scroll down, there is nothing on the page. You wait a few seconds, and you may get something, but you have no idea what channel is going to be shown on your screen...and the channel numbers are missing.
And, you can no longer look at what's on any particular channel for the next 24 hours. And, worst of all, you can't add a program to your calendar. In short, it doesn't work. Yahoo says this site is now in beta, but it doesn't give you a way of telling them what works, what doesn't, and how you feel about it, which is what beta testing is all about. It's still trying to load, by the way.
Because Yahoo TV has become worthless, I switched over to AOL's TV Listings. It loads quickly, shows me what's on now and in the future, and in some ways is even better than the old Yahoo TV guide. It does have a calendar reminder, but I haven't used it yet and don't feel like adding yet another calendaring program to my repertoire.
In playing with Yahoo's TV guide before writing this entry, I found that it does load faster in Internet Explorer than Firefox, but still not fast enough to be useful. I have seen other examples of these kinds of "improvements"done before, but I won't go into them now.
However, if you have some examples of taking a good thing and making it bad, I would love to hear about them.
PS...It is still loading.
For years, I used it faithfully to help me figure out all my choices on Direct TV in the Pacific Time Zone. It loaded quickly when I requested it, allowed me to look at any time to see what was on any channel. I could then click on a channel to see all their offerings for a 24 hours period. I could look forward in time (and even backwards) to figure out what I might want to watch. If I saw a particular program that I might be interested in watching, I could click on it to read the details.
Then, what was really cool, I could click on it to automatically add it to my calendar. This was particularly useful during football season so I could see what games where being shown when, especially college football as there were so many games to chose from (I only watch the ones that interest me). As silly as it sounds and lest you think that I spend all my time watching football, it helped me plan my day, so I only watched the best of the best games.
Not only would the game or a particular TV show appear on my calendar, it would show up on my "My Yahoo" page. But wait...there is more. Yahoo would automatically send me an e-mail at the start of a day to tell me what was on my calendar for that day.
Their old system really worked well, and it help me be really choosy about which programs I watched. Again, you would think by reading this that I watch TV all the time. Not true. This Yahoo system helped me figure out what programs were worth my time (and very few are). As you probably know, I have a great many interests and obligations, so it is important to me how I budget my time. Yahoo's TV guide system really helped me a lot.
So, how did they screw this up? Well, they must have decided that it didn't look "cool" enough. So they redesigned its look and feel. Unfortunately, while it may look cooler, it doesn't work. The page takes forever to load. While I am writing these words, it is still trying to load. If you scroll down, there is nothing on the page. You wait a few seconds, and you may get something, but you have no idea what channel is going to be shown on your screen...and the channel numbers are missing.
And, you can no longer look at what's on any particular channel for the next 24 hours. And, worst of all, you can't add a program to your calendar. In short, it doesn't work. Yahoo says this site is now in beta, but it doesn't give you a way of telling them what works, what doesn't, and how you feel about it, which is what beta testing is all about. It's still trying to load, by the way.
Because Yahoo TV has become worthless, I switched over to AOL's TV Listings. It loads quickly, shows me what's on now and in the future, and in some ways is even better than the old Yahoo TV guide. It does have a calendar reminder, but I haven't used it yet and don't feel like adding yet another calendaring program to my repertoire.
In playing with Yahoo's TV guide before writing this entry, I found that it does load faster in Internet Explorer than Firefox, but still not fast enough to be useful. I have seen other examples of these kinds of "improvements"done before, but I won't go into them now.
However, if you have some examples of taking a good thing and making it bad, I would love to hear about them.
PS...It is still loading.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Outstanding Firefox Add-Ons
If you use Firefox as your web browser of choice, I have got some great free add-ons for you that just might enhance your web browsing experience. (If you don't use Firefox...well...you really should seriously think about changing...it's the best!) As I have mentioned here before, there are hundreds of free add-ons available for Firefox, so it is always fun to investigate them once in a while as new ones are being added all the time.
One important one that I have written about here before is the McAfee Site Advisor. This one has saved me from spyware, spam, and probably some virus attacks. Simply put, when you do a Google search, Site Advisor grades each site that your search pulls up, with a green check mark (if its OK) and a big red X if it is not. It is a great way to avoid sites that can harm your computer.
Another one I like is the Google Preview, that shows you a snapshot of the web site before you click on it. It works with both Google and Yahoo searches. Still another one that I have written about here before is Tab Browser Preferences that gives you greater control of the tabs on your browser.
Now for some new ones:
My new favorite is Foxmark Bookmark Synchronizer. This cute little add-on is very similar to the FolderShare program I wrote about a few days ago. But, instead of synchronizing folders across two or more computers, Foxmark synchronizes your bookmarks. Now you can have all your bookmarks on all your computers synchronized as one. It works automatically in the background whether your computers are on or off. If you have added a new bookmark in one computer and the other is off, it will synch them up when you turn the other on. Finally, a workable way to have all my bookmarks in one place.
Another new one that I just installed today is Adblock Plus. I can't give it great marks yet because I only just installed it, but so far it seems to work. It it designed to block those pesky advertisement that pop up in a middle of your reading a web page. Although Firefox does a good job of blocking ads that want to pop up when you load a page, it doesn't seem to work well for those ads that show up in the middle of a session, like on CNN or CBS Sports. Adblock Plus supposedly will do just that. And, if an ad does happen to pop up, you can right click on it and it will never pop up again.
The third new one that may be useful for you is Clipmarks. It allows you to bookmark certain parts of a web page and save it rather than bookmarking the entire page. I have used it mostly to gather information about blogs that I intend to write in the future.
If you would like to learn more about these and other Firefox add-ons, a good starting place is the list of recommended Firefox add-on page on the Mozilla web site. Happy browsing!!
PS: Mozilla has just released an Alpha version of the new Firefox Version 3. It is so preliminary that they recommend that you don't download it yet for testing. It should be finalized and ready for consumers in about one year.
One important one that I have written about here before is the McAfee Site Advisor. This one has saved me from spyware, spam, and probably some virus attacks. Simply put, when you do a Google search, Site Advisor grades each site that your search pulls up, with a green check mark (if its OK) and a big red X if it is not. It is a great way to avoid sites that can harm your computer.
Another one I like is the Google Preview, that shows you a snapshot of the web site before you click on it. It works with both Google and Yahoo searches. Still another one that I have written about here before is Tab Browser Preferences that gives you greater control of the tabs on your browser.
Now for some new ones:
My new favorite is Foxmark Bookmark Synchronizer. This cute little add-on is very similar to the FolderShare program I wrote about a few days ago. But, instead of synchronizing folders across two or more computers, Foxmark synchronizes your bookmarks. Now you can have all your bookmarks on all your computers synchronized as one. It works automatically in the background whether your computers are on or off. If you have added a new bookmark in one computer and the other is off, it will synch them up when you turn the other on. Finally, a workable way to have all my bookmarks in one place.
Another new one that I just installed today is Adblock Plus. I can't give it great marks yet because I only just installed it, but so far it seems to work. It it designed to block those pesky advertisement that pop up in a middle of your reading a web page. Although Firefox does a good job of blocking ads that want to pop up when you load a page, it doesn't seem to work well for those ads that show up in the middle of a session, like on CNN or CBS Sports. Adblock Plus supposedly will do just that. And, if an ad does happen to pop up, you can right click on it and it will never pop up again.
The third new one that may be useful for you is Clipmarks. It allows you to bookmark certain parts of a web page and save it rather than bookmarking the entire page. I have used it mostly to gather information about blogs that I intend to write in the future.
If you would like to learn more about these and other Firefox add-ons, a good starting place is the list of recommended Firefox add-on page on the Mozilla web site. Happy browsing!!
PS: Mozilla has just released an Alpha version of the new Firefox Version 3. It is so preliminary that they recommend that you don't download it yet for testing. It should be finalized and ready for consumers in about one year.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Ficticious e-Mail Warning Worth Reading
Today I received the following e-mail from a good friend of mine. He received it from a friend of his...who received it from another friend, etc. It warns of a new credit card scam that is making the rounds. I looked it up and, lo and behold, it is listed as one of those "Urban Legend" e-mail's. You know, the kind that warns of scams or new deadly viruses aren't real.
Well, I decided to share it with you anyway, even though it may or may not be true, as it contains some very good information that we should all be aware of in regards to how some credit card scams work. At the end, I will post the information from the "Urban Legend" folks about this particular e-mail. Here goes:
We all receive emails all the time regarding one scam or another; but last week I REALLY DID get scammed! Both VISA and MasterCard told me that this scam is currently being worked throughout the Midwest, with some variance as to the product or amount, and if you are called, just hang up.
My husband was called on Wednesday from "VISA" and I was called in Thursday from "MasterCard". It worked like this: Person calling says, "This is Carl Patterson and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card issued by 5/3 bank. Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a marketing company based in Arizona?"
When you say "No". The caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?"
You say, "Yes". The caller continues..."I will be starting a fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 800 number listed on your card 1-800-VISA and ask for Security. you will need to refer to this Control #". Then gives you a 6 digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?" Caller then says he "needs to verify you are in possession of your card. Turn the card over. There are 7 numbers; first 4 are 1234(whatever) the next 3 are the security numbers that verify you are in possession of the card. These are the numbers you use to make internet purchases to prove you have the card. Read me the 3 numbers." Then he says "That is correct. I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions? Don't hesitate to call back if you do."
You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the card number, because they already have it. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA security dept. told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 WAS put on our card.
Long story made short...we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA card and they are reissuing as a new number. What the scam wants is the 3 digit number! and that once the charge goes through, they keep charging every few days. By the time you get your statement, you think the credit is coming, and then its harder to actually file a fraud report. The real VISA reinforced that they will never ask for anything on the card (they already know).
What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from "Jason Richardson of MasterCard" with a word for word repeat of the VISA Scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up.
We filed a police report (as instructed by VISA), and they said they are taking several of these reports daily and to tell friends, relatives and co-workers.
Comments: There's no way to verify whether this anonymous, first-person account is authentic, but the type of fraud it warns against is real enough, so the message is worth heeding even if it is slightly misleading.
It's misleading in that it gives the impression that this type of scam is brand new and only pertains to the three-digit security code now found on the backs of most credit cards. In reality, it's a very old and familiar form of fraud that requires credit card holders to be protective of all the information pertaining to their accounts.
Banks and credit card companies have long warned consumers against providing personal information to unknown callers (or Websites). Con artists are often able to obtain partial information about a potential victim's account, then contact the person masquerading as a company representative to "verify" the account by requesting additional details — in the above case, the three-digit security code. But they might just as well ask for other pertinent details — for example, they may provide the last four digits of your account number (which typically show up on sales receipts, etc.) and request the other 12 digits to "confirm" it. Or they may already be in possession of your full account number and request the expiration date of the card, or your billing address. Any of these individual bits of information may be just what the scammer needs to "fill in the blanks" and gain full access to your account, so beware.
That said, consumers should also be aware that perfectly legitimate businesses or financial institutions may request your three-digit security number (known as "CVC2" by MasterCard and "CVV2" by Visa) to authenticate a transaction. What's essential is that you be fully confident of the legitimacy of the requesting party before giving it out.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Sync your Data Across 2 or More Computers
So, how many computers do you own or are part of your household? Do you sometimes wish you had access to your files at home from your laptop even though they are many miles apart?
If you have more than one computer and you want to share your files and keep them automatically in sync, I have a great program for you. And, of course, like many of my favorite programs, it is free!!
The program is called FolderShare and has been around for a couple of years. And because it is so good, it was recently bought out by one of the giant software companies...in this case, Microsoft. It is available on the FolderShare web site for free.
How does it work? Well, I will use myself as an example to help you get the idea. Right now, Susan and I own four computers, two at home for our own use, the main one in my studio, and a laptop that is used at home, at the studio and on the road. All are connected via the Internet, using our Grant County Fiber Optic system. The laptop, when on the road, uses a wireless connection from wherever there is a signal. Right now, as I write this, it is here at my studio plugged into my fiber optic connection, next to my main computer.
There are a lot of files on my studio computer that I want on the road with me, such as my Word and Excel files that I constantly access, my calendar program, database files and several others. Before I went out on the road, I used to use a great program called Syncback to sync those files between my two computers. When I come back, I would, in the past, sync them up again to make sure the changed versions or new files got back into the main studio computer. I bit of a pain, especially when I updated two identical files in two computers, then synced them. Some of my changes would then be lost forever.
Now, with FolderShare, those same files are in constant synchronization. As I change and save a file in my main computer, it is automatically updated in the laptop (and visa versa). But more than that, if I am in Seattle, for instance, and change or add a file, it will synchronize it with the main computer in Ephrata automatically, using the Internet. Of course, both computers must be connected to the Internet at all times and must both be turned on in order for it to work, which is not an issue for me.
To do this, you identify the folders (or directories) on each computer that you wish to stay in sync. From that point on, they will automatically update each other as you work on the files. You don't have to do anything special.
Another added bonus is that you can select certain files to share with friends. And you can access other files not designated for synchronization from one computer from another. For instance, if I want to work on my art or photo files at home, I can connect to the one I need without having to synchronize all of my photo files. Oh, yes, for those of you that have PC's and Macs, it works the same way.
All of this happens using peer-to-peer network technology. When you download FolderShare, you create your own private peer-to-peer network just for all your computers. Of course, you need to download FolderShare on every computer that you intent to use.
I like this program a lot and I recommend that if you have more than two computers, you take a good look at it.
If you have more than one computer and you want to share your files and keep them automatically in sync, I have a great program for you. And, of course, like many of my favorite programs, it is free!!
The program is called FolderShare and has been around for a couple of years. And because it is so good, it was recently bought out by one of the giant software companies...in this case, Microsoft. It is available on the FolderShare web site for free.
How does it work? Well, I will use myself as an example to help you get the idea. Right now, Susan and I own four computers, two at home for our own use, the main one in my studio, and a laptop that is used at home, at the studio and on the road. All are connected via the Internet, using our Grant County Fiber Optic system. The laptop, when on the road, uses a wireless connection from wherever there is a signal. Right now, as I write this, it is here at my studio plugged into my fiber optic connection, next to my main computer.
There are a lot of files on my studio computer that I want on the road with me, such as my Word and Excel files that I constantly access, my calendar program, database files and several others. Before I went out on the road, I used to use a great program called Syncback to sync those files between my two computers. When I come back, I would, in the past, sync them up again to make sure the changed versions or new files got back into the main studio computer. I bit of a pain, especially when I updated two identical files in two computers, then synced them. Some of my changes would then be lost forever.
Now, with FolderShare, those same files are in constant synchronization. As I change and save a file in my main computer, it is automatically updated in the laptop (and visa versa). But more than that, if I am in Seattle, for instance, and change or add a file, it will synchronize it with the main computer in Ephrata automatically, using the Internet. Of course, both computers must be connected to the Internet at all times and must both be turned on in order for it to work, which is not an issue for me.
To do this, you identify the folders (or directories) on each computer that you wish to stay in sync. From that point on, they will automatically update each other as you work on the files. You don't have to do anything special.
Another added bonus is that you can select certain files to share with friends. And you can access other files not designated for synchronization from one computer from another. For instance, if I want to work on my art or photo files at home, I can connect to the one I need without having to synchronize all of my photo files. Oh, yes, for those of you that have PC's and Macs, it works the same way.
All of this happens using peer-to-peer network technology. When you download FolderShare, you create your own private peer-to-peer network just for all your computers. Of course, you need to download FolderShare on every computer that you intent to use.
I like this program a lot and I recommend that if you have more than two computers, you take a good look at it.
Monday, December 04, 2006
New Plan to Stop North Korea Nuclear Program
The ingenuity of our government continues to amaze me, no matter who is in the White House, although the current resident of the executive mansion does make me shake my head more than others. Here is his current plan to help shut down the North Korean plan to develop a working nuclear bomb:
Stop selling Apple iPods to North Korea.
Yup...that's the plan. Other banned items included in the plan are plasma TV's and Segway electric scooters. The U.S. government's first-ever effort to use trade sanctions to personally aggravate a foreign president expressly targets items believed to be favored by Kim Jong Il or presented by him as gifts to the roughly 600 loyalist families who run the communist government. Other items include cognac, Rolex watches, cigarettes, artwork, expensive cars, Harley Davidson motorcycles or even personal watercraft, such as Jet Skis.
I am sure there are no possible ways to get iPod's to Korea without our government knowing about it. So, if Kim Jong Il wants an iPod, he will have to stop his nuclear program. I'll buy that.
Along the same lines as this story, I have another one to tell you regarding government plans and bureaucratic rulings that happened to my own son.
If you have flown recently, you know that airlines now forbid you bringing any liquids on board an airplane., Now, my son Eric, as you may know, is a sergeant in the National Guard and is currently in Arizona, helping to guard the borders against intrusions by illegal aliens and drug runners.
When he and other members of the Washington National were first flown to Arizona, the Army brought in 3 chartered commercial airliners to McCord Air Force to transport the troops to the Yuma area. As the troops were boarding the planes, they were advised to discard all personal items that contained liquid, like water bottles, butane lighters, etc. Being good soldiers they followed orders.
Then they boarded the aircraft in an orderly manner...all carrying their M16 rifles!!!
True story.
I look forward to more great plans, rules, and regulations from our illustrious leaders. No more today as I am going to go listen to my iPod.
Stop selling Apple iPods to North Korea.
Yup...that's the plan. Other banned items included in the plan are plasma TV's and Segway electric scooters. The U.S. government's first-ever effort to use trade sanctions to personally aggravate a foreign president expressly targets items believed to be favored by Kim Jong Il or presented by him as gifts to the roughly 600 loyalist families who run the communist government. Other items include cognac, Rolex watches, cigarettes, artwork, expensive cars, Harley Davidson motorcycles or even personal watercraft, such as Jet Skis.
I am sure there are no possible ways to get iPod's to Korea without our government knowing about it. So, if Kim Jong Il wants an iPod, he will have to stop his nuclear program. I'll buy that.
Along the same lines as this story, I have another one to tell you regarding government plans and bureaucratic rulings that happened to my own son.
If you have flown recently, you know that airlines now forbid you bringing any liquids on board an airplane., Now, my son Eric, as you may know, is a sergeant in the National Guard and is currently in Arizona, helping to guard the borders against intrusions by illegal aliens and drug runners.
When he and other members of the Washington National were first flown to Arizona, the Army brought in 3 chartered commercial airliners to McCord Air Force to transport the troops to the Yuma area. As the troops were boarding the planes, they were advised to discard all personal items that contained liquid, like water bottles, butane lighters, etc. Being good soldiers they followed orders.
Then they boarded the aircraft in an orderly manner...all carrying their M16 rifles!!!
True story.
I look forward to more great plans, rules, and regulations from our illustrious leaders. No more today as I am going to go listen to my iPod.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Hollywood Rules
I recently read two new stories that got me a bit upset. The stories are unrelated, but tie together when you read them at the same time.
The first is a fascinating article by Pui-Wing Tam, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal who was one of nine reporters targeted for a covert investigation by Hewlett Packard. If you are not familiar with that on-going scandal, HP hired private investigators to dig into the personal lives of nine reporters and some of its own board members to see who was leaking information to the press. The investigation got way out of hand, and, fortunately for all of us, was uncovered by the press and made public.
It cost the Chairman of the Board of HP and others their jobs, not to mention a full congressional investigation and the filing of criminal charges in California. Some folks may wind up in jail. (If you would like to learn more about this whole drama, CNet has put together a special summary section listing all their stories about it).
Tam's story is her first-person account of all that has been revealed to her about how HP-hired investigators dug into her whole life (including her garbage) and managed to come up with a great deal of personal (and private) information about her. One of the methods they used to get the data was using the last four digits of her Social Security number to impersonate her, a technique known as "pretexting."
Now, here is where the the second story comes in. In the latest edition of Wired Magazine, there is a story telling how a recent bill in the California legislature to outlaw pretexting was killed by lobbyists of the Motion Picture Association of America.
Initially, the bill passed through three state Senate committees unobstructed and was passed unanimously in the Senate by a 30-0 vote. Then the Hollywood folks stepped in.
It seems they were afraid that outlawing pretexting would hinder their anti-piracy investigations. So, after a hard and furious campaign by their lobbyists, the measure was defeated in the California Assembly by a 33-27 vote. Once again, rights of the individual has been stomped on by private industry, with the help of those folks we elect to protect us.
I am not surprised anymore at these kinds of stories, but it still saddens me for our future and those generations that follow us. The technology age, while being so good in so many ways, has also ripped away at our privacy and our identities. It is so easy to find information about almost anyone these days that I would welcome any protection that can be given to protect us from personal intrusion. But, since we continue to elect the "best politicians that money can buy," I guess we should not expect much genuine help.
If you want to have a quick laugh, followed by an extended depression, read political humorist P.J. O'Rourke's book, "Parliament of Whores."
The first is a fascinating article by Pui-Wing Tam, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal who was one of nine reporters targeted for a covert investigation by Hewlett Packard. If you are not familiar with that on-going scandal, HP hired private investigators to dig into the personal lives of nine reporters and some of its own board members to see who was leaking information to the press. The investigation got way out of hand, and, fortunately for all of us, was uncovered by the press and made public.
It cost the Chairman of the Board of HP and others their jobs, not to mention a full congressional investigation and the filing of criminal charges in California. Some folks may wind up in jail. (If you would like to learn more about this whole drama, CNet has put together a special summary section listing all their stories about it).
Tam's story is her first-person account of all that has been revealed to her about how HP-hired investigators dug into her whole life (including her garbage) and managed to come up with a great deal of personal (and private) information about her. One of the methods they used to get the data was using the last four digits of her Social Security number to impersonate her, a technique known as "pretexting."
Now, here is where the the second story comes in. In the latest edition of Wired Magazine, there is a story telling how a recent bill in the California legislature to outlaw pretexting was killed by lobbyists of the Motion Picture Association of America.
Initially, the bill passed through three state Senate committees unobstructed and was passed unanimously in the Senate by a 30-0 vote. Then the Hollywood folks stepped in.
It seems they were afraid that outlawing pretexting would hinder their anti-piracy investigations. So, after a hard and furious campaign by their lobbyists, the measure was defeated in the California Assembly by a 33-27 vote. Once again, rights of the individual has been stomped on by private industry, with the help of those folks we elect to protect us.
I am not surprised anymore at these kinds of stories, but it still saddens me for our future and those generations that follow us. The technology age, while being so good in so many ways, has also ripped away at our privacy and our identities. It is so easy to find information about almost anyone these days that I would welcome any protection that can be given to protect us from personal intrusion. But, since we continue to elect the "best politicians that money can buy," I guess we should not expect much genuine help.
If you want to have a quick laugh, followed by an extended depression, read political humorist P.J. O'Rourke's book, "Parliament of Whores."
Friday, December 01, 2006
A Few Shopping Tips
With the holiday season upon us, I thought I would pass along a few tidbits of information about shopping on-line and off-line (the old fashioned way). Some of them have nothing to do with the holidays, but are things you might want to know.
For instance, did you know that Wal-Mart is now selling generic prescription drugs for $4 per prescription in all 50 states? For a short time, this new drug plan was only being tried out in a few states, but public demand and competition have caused them to accelerate their roll-out plan for all their stores in the US. The $4 price is for everyone, not just those who have insurance. You can go to their website to learn which prescriptions are covered.
Target Stores around the country are also offering the same kind of plan for their stores that have pharmacies. For folks in Eastern Washington, it would be only their stores in Spokane and Kennewick. Wenatchee does not have a pharmacy, according to the Target website.
Because of this new prescription plan, I was able to change my own medical insurance to a prices point that is less than half of what I was paying. OK, Wal-Mart, I will give you this one.
Switching subjects, if you would like to save huge dollars on your food bill, you might consider shopping at Winco Stores. These giant stores are like Costco, at least as far as their size and prices go...except you don't have to buy huge quantities of an item. Most everything they carry is in standard grocery store sizes. And their prices are so much less than Safeway or most other grocery stores.
For instance, a can of chili that I get on sale at Safeway for $1, was 68 cents everyday at Winco. A bag of raviolis at Safeway is almost $4 while at Winco, the same bag was $2.54. Fresh bagels were 33 cents at Winco compared to 55 cents at Safeway. This list is nearly endless. Sadly, in Eastern Washington, there are only two Winco Stores, one in Kennewick and one in Richland. They have many more in California, Oregon and Idaho. Susan and I go to Tri Cities once a month to do our shopping as the prices are so much less and we can hit Costco also while we are there
Now, let's take a look at some interesting web shopping sites:
For instance, did you know that Wal-Mart is now selling generic prescription drugs for $4 per prescription in all 50 states? For a short time, this new drug plan was only being tried out in a few states, but public demand and competition have caused them to accelerate their roll-out plan for all their stores in the US. The $4 price is for everyone, not just those who have insurance. You can go to their website to learn which prescriptions are covered.
Target Stores around the country are also offering the same kind of plan for their stores that have pharmacies. For folks in Eastern Washington, it would be only their stores in Spokane and Kennewick. Wenatchee does not have a pharmacy, according to the Target website.
Because of this new prescription plan, I was able to change my own medical insurance to a prices point that is less than half of what I was paying. OK, Wal-Mart, I will give you this one.
Switching subjects, if you would like to save huge dollars on your food bill, you might consider shopping at Winco Stores. These giant stores are like Costco, at least as far as their size and prices go...except you don't have to buy huge quantities of an item. Most everything they carry is in standard grocery store sizes. And their prices are so much less than Safeway or most other grocery stores.
For instance, a can of chili that I get on sale at Safeway for $1, was 68 cents everyday at Winco. A bag of raviolis at Safeway is almost $4 while at Winco, the same bag was $2.54. Fresh bagels were 33 cents at Winco compared to 55 cents at Safeway. This list is nearly endless. Sadly, in Eastern Washington, there are only two Winco Stores, one in Kennewick and one in Richland. They have many more in California, Oregon and Idaho. Susan and I go to Tri Cities once a month to do our shopping as the prices are so much less and we can hit Costco also while we are there
Now, let's take a look at some interesting web shopping sites:
This site, which is sponsored by retail trade association Shop.org, is a central repository for holiday deals and offers from nearly 400 retailers. If you are looking for a bargain, the "Special Offers" section should be your target, as it lists all the specials by retailer. As I write this, you could snag complimentary shipping from Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor LOFT, Adidas and dozens more websites, or save $25 on your Brookstone order, or save 20% on your holiday lights and ornaments at Smith & Hawken, and on and on and on. Featured retailers include Nordstrom, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Bloomingdale's, Amazon.com, Lands' End and hundreds more.
As the name implies, ShopLocal is a search engine for all the shopping opportunities in your neighborhood. First enter your zip code, and indicate how many miles away from your zip code you're willing to shop. Then you can search the site in one of several ways. You can find out which stores near you have specific items and compare prices. You can check out the deals at a specific local store via its weekly circulars. You can print coupons for local sales and bargains. Or you can check out what's being advertised in your local newspaper. Armed with all of this information, you then head out into the world and go shopping. ShopLocal is owned by the nation's three leading newspaper and media companies: Tribune, McClatchy and Gannett.
DealCatcher could be considered the "granddaddy" of deal-spotting websites...they have been listing them as spotted by family and friends since 1999. Today the site receives over 6 million page views per month and promotes over 500 merchant's specials. You will find coupons, products, sales, reviews and rebates, which are updated 24 hours a day by staff and forum members. You can also set up email or RSS alerts by keyword so you can be alerted instantly whenever there's a new deal posted for something you're looking for or a place where you like to shop. At the site you will also find a comprehensive list of rebates as well as the best deals from all of the Sunday circulars across the US.
eBay is a great place to shop for unique gifts while scoring a deal in the process. But if your beloved has her heart set on a 19th century ceramic urn, it might end up costing you more to have the thing shipped than you paid for it in the first place - and it might end up damaged or broken in the process. That's why you'll start your next eBay product search at this site. Enter your zip code, how far you're willing to travel for the item and what you're searching for, and it will show you a Google map of your area with little map pins indicating where the sellers of eBay items up for auction are located. On the right side of the screen are photos of the products for auction, so you can move around the map and see if anything nearby peaks your interest. You can then bid on the item, win and go pick it up, instead of incurring outrageous shipping costs for sending something across the country. The technology "mashes" current eBay auction information over a Google map.
Happy shopping, everyone!!
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