Special Windows 7 Edition

I took some time off from my busy baseball schedule to put together another blog…this one on Windows 7.  Have been enjoying the Arizona sun (in the high 80’s lately), to take in some major league baseball Spring Training games as well as some University of Arizona baseball games.

The Rockies and the Diamondbacks both train here in Tucson.  Saw the Dodgers yesterday and the White Sox on Thursday.  I also have tickets for upcoming games with the Giants and A’s, and hope to take in the Mariners also.  It is fun-in-the-sun here in Tucson and Spring Training games are inexpensive.  I had a box seat on Thursday, five rows from the field between home and first and it cost me all of $16.

But, if you love the game of baseball, the college game is great fun to watch.  The crowds are smaller, but the student cheering section is fun to listen to.  And, you can’t beat the price of a ticket…$3 a game for us seniors.  But, I still hate the sound of aluminum bats.

Anyway, here are today’s news stories about the new Microsoft operating system that holds so much promise:

 

Microsoft: Here are some of the Win 7 changes coming in the next build

In a February 26 post to the Engineering Windows 7 blog, Microsoft itemized some of the changes that it is making to Windows 7 that will be part of the Release Candidate (RC) test build that is widely expected in April.

Is Jumping from XP to Windows 7 too Complicated?

When Windows 7 is released later this year or in early 2010, many PC users who upgrade will be coming from Windows XP. Unlike Vista users, they can't do an "in-place upgrade," in which the new OS overwrites the old one, preserving their installed applications, preferences, and data. Instead, they'll have to do a clean install, which means they have to back up their data, install Win 7 (either deleting or XP or installing as a separate environment), reinstall their apps, restore their data, and re-create their preferences.

10 Things Windows 7 Must Do To Succeed

I recently attended a briefing where Microsoft explained some of the new features in Windows 7 to reviewers from different publications. At the end of the meeting, the MS folks asked the half-dozen of us present what it will take for the new OS to be a success.

Netbook Smackdown: XP, Windows 7, and Ubuntu Face Off

What’s the best OS for use on the new ultra-portable netbook systems? I used a Samsung NC10 netbook and three operating systems to try to find out the answer. The Samsung NC10 is a pretty standard netbook--1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB RAM, 160GB hard drive, and a really nice 10.2-inch WSVGA screen. The NC10 comes with Windows XP Home as the preinstalled OS.

Software: Turn Windows XP Into a Fake Windows 7

Bored of Windows XP and antsy for Windows 7? With a couple of quick downloads you can get the look and feel of Microsoft's next OS, no clean install necessary.

We Are Borg: Resistance is Futile

Borg-like cybots may patrol government networks | Military Tech

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory has created software that uses colonies of borg-like cyberrobots it says will help government agencies detect and fend off attacks on the nation's computer network infrastructure. The Ubiquitous Network Transient Autonomous Mission Entities (Untame) differs from traditional security software agents in that its cybot "entities" form collectives that are mutually aware of the condition and activities of other bots in their colony. When these cybots detect network intruders, they communicate with one another, preventing cybercrooks from creating and using a diversion in one spot within the network to then break through in another.

Safari 4 a big step up, but not as far as rivals

A big user interface overhaul makes Safari look polished rather than clunky on Windows, builds in better search abilities, and makes good use of the fact that people often visit the same sites over and over.

Netflix To Offer 'Streaming Only" Plans

Netflix Inc Chief Financial Officer Barry McCarthy said on Wednesday it plans to offer its online streaming service on a stand-alone basis.

15 online photo editors compared

Tools that let you edit photos in the Web browser have come a long way in the last few years. We wanted to take a moment to do a feature comparison with a grouping of editors--big and small, to see what each one is capable of.

Free Tax Software from H&R Block

TaxCut Basic 2007 1.0 (Windows), from H&R Block

TaxCut Basic, from H&R Block, guides you through your federal return with a step-by-step interview with simple questions to help ensure your taxes are done right. TaxCut quickly and easily imports last years tax and financial data from TaxCut, MicroSoft Money, Quicken, and TurboTax.  I have been using this program for many years and it is very good. 

How to Buy a Bluetooth Headset - Reviews by PC Magazine

Picking the right Bluetooth headset might seem simple, but it actually comes with a challenge that's unique to all headphones, and, well, anything that needs to be placed in your ear: It's tough (and not completely sanitary) to try products out before plunking down the cash for them.

New scareware sends you to fake Download.com reviews

Last week, BleepingComputer.com reported on how to remove a new variant of an old scareware. This new nasty, known most commonly as Antivirus2010 or Anti-Virus-1, points you to spoofed versions of Download.com, ZDNet, PCMag.com, and other software sites, demanding that you download their program to clean your computer. Of course, it does nothing of the sort, merely perpetuating the infection.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is a free, high performance anti-malware application that thoroughly removes even the most advanced malware and spyware. With one of the fastest, most effective quick scans and malware removal capabilities on the market, this program is the perfect addition to your PC's defenses.

Google Updates Toolbar for IE

Google has introduced Google Toolbar 6 Beta for Internet Explorer, touted as "a year in the making" and offering, well, a few new features, although Google's toolbar team describes it as a major upgrade, launching simultaneously in 40 languages.

Another Special Security Edition

Microsoft researchers developing new, more secure Web browser

Microsoft researchers are developing a new Web browser that they say could offer a far greater degree of security than Google's Chrome, Mozilla's Firefox or Microsoft's own Internet Explorer. The browser, called Gazelle, relies on 5,000 lines of C# code called a "browser kernel" that helps enforce security rules to prevent malicious access to the PC's underlying operating system, according to a recently published paper.

Starting from scratch is the only malware cure

If you discover malware on your system, don't mess around. Back up your data, format your hard drive, and begin again.  In most cases today, this is the only real cure.

9 free antivirus programs for Windows

Keeping your Windows computer virus-free doesn't have to cost you a lot of money. Heck, it doesn't need to cost you any money. There are plenty of good options available for those of you on the hunt for free antivirus software.

Facebook users targeted by rogue application

A new piece of malware making the rounds on Facebook falsely warns users that their friends have had problems viewing their profiles, posing a potential threat to users' personal information. The rogue application, dubbed "Error Check System," displays an error message in the notifications section that reads "(Friend's name) has faced some errors when checking your profile View The Errors Message."

File Encryption 2.1 (Windows), from File Encryption Software

File Encryption is free software to help users protect their confidential data by encrypting them into encoded, non accessible form which can be opened only after entering a password.

Republicans Propose a Really Stupid Law

Bill proposes ISPs, Wi-Fi keep logs for police - CNN.com

Republican politicians on Thursday called for a sweeping new federal law that would require all Internet providers and operators of millions of Wi-Fi access points, even hotels, local coffee shops, and home users, to keep records about users for two years to aid police investigations.

Data retention bills to benefit copyright holders

If a new federal proposal announced this week requiring Internet providers and Wi-Fi access points to keep records on users for two years becomes law, police would not be the only ones to benefit. So would individuals and companies bringing civil lawsuits, including the Recording Industry Association of America and other large copyright holders, many of which have lobbied for similar data retention laws in other countries.

And the Web TV wars go on, and on, and on

With all the drama and in-fighting among cable companies, TV content creators, and Web video companies this week, you'd think the whole industry was one big junior-high cafeteria. Oh, wait, it kind of is.

The biggest online security risk: humans

All the delightful modern collaboration tools we use--blogs, wikis, SaaS applications, etc.--just make it easier for your corporate information to walk out the door. Regardless of the systems or applications your company uses, odds are any piece of data can (and will) be accessed, e-mailed, written down, or just remembered by a large percentage of your staff.

Find answers to your medical questions with these five sites

While everyone knows WebMD and probably uses the site to find out about medical conditions, you might be surprised to know there are a slew of sites that offer similar service, providing outstanding medical information. I've picked five worth using.

AccuWeather floats a new weather widget for AIR

On Friday, AccuWeather released an even simpler solution--a small weather-checker for Windows, Mac, and Linux that runs on the free Adobe AIR platform (Windows|Mac). AccuWeather's widget is about as basic as they come, with just enough information for the daily or five-day forecaster.

News and Views for Friday 2/20/09

Where’s Bin Laden? New theory, Google Earth offer clues

A couple of geography professors at UCLA have done some legwork that just might help the U.S. get closer to capturing Osama Bin Laden.

Sprint loses another 1.3 million customers

First, the good news: Sprint narrowed its losses considerably, compared with a year earlier. For the fourth quarter, Sprint lost $1.62 billion, or 57 cents a share. This is certainly better than the $29.45 billion, or a whopping $10.36 a share, it lost during the fourth quarter of 2007. The previous year's losses were due to some large write-downs the company was forced to take related to its merger with Nextel. This time around, Sprint only had about $1 billion in write-downs. Now for the bad news: Sprint is still losing customers. And as a result, its quarterly revenue declined about 14 percent to $8.43 billion.

I'll wait for Windows 7 before buying a new computer

I need a new computer. Badly. My old iMac, which I'm using to write this now, has seen better days. My Windows machines, strewn across the house, are old and tired. But I'm unwilling to buy a new computer today. It's not that I haven't seen machines that I really would like to have, or that I don't have a desire to build my own. But there's a single factor that's forcing me to wait: Windows 7.

Facebook Reverses Course, Pulls Terms of Use - News and Analysis by PC Magazine

Facebook changes its terms of service. Backlash occurs. Then Facebook changes them back. At issue is whether user data can be retained after it is deleted. The interesting thing here isn't that a giant online company changes its ToS, it is that somebody noticed. As it is, cell-phone companies, ISPs, cable providers, and even grocery stores change their privacy policies all the time and no one even notices, let alone makes a peep. Check out our full story to find out if Facebook's policy should concern you.

Six Ways to Make Twitter Useful

Just a few days ago, I talked about our introductory story "Top 10 Twitter Tips for Beginners," but what about old Twitter hands like us? Turns out you can use Twitter for everything from getting better customer service to making your own news feeds. Oh, and you can also discover just how much happier Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore are than the rest of us. That isn't useful, but it is illuminating. Find out how to do all this and more by following this link.

More Info on Social Networking

Top 10 Twitter Tips for Beginners - Solutions by PC Magazine

If you are just now jumping on the Twitter bandwagon, or are intimidated by your inexperience with Twitter etiquette and acronyms, allow us to share some Twittery tips that will make your experience easier and more enjoyable.

TWITTER TOOLBOX: 60+ Twitter Tools

Twitter is a great service, but it would be nothing without the other sites, tools, and apps that help you get the most out of it. Here we highlight more than 60 of our favorite Twitter add-ons.

Top FriendFeed Tips for Twitter Users

Can content aggregator FriendFeed turn Twitterholics into FriendFeed addicts? Certainly, much of the content being imported into FriendFeed comes from Twitter feeds, and there’s a huge amount of overlap between the two user bases.

FriendFeed Basics

A good collection of information about Friendfeed and tips to use when starting out.

10 Privacy Settings Every Facebook User Should Know

Everyday I receive an email from somebody about how their account was hacked, how a friend tagged them in the photo and they want a way to avoid it, as well as a number of other complications related to their privacy on Facebook.

Online Safety Tips for Facebook Fogeys - Solutions by PC Magazine

Grownups, take note! Here is what you need to know before "friending" your first Facebook connection.

Social Networking

“Live as if everything you do will eventually be known” – Hugh Prather

In my case, I made a decision some time ago that part of my life would be known to anybody that wants to know…which is the point of so-called social networking on the Internet.  We all have something interesting to say, opinions to be expressed, thoughts to be made public, and living with the hope that someone out their gives a damn about you…and maybe, just maybe, you will be remembered long after you are dead and buried.  And here, the Internet can help.

That is what social networking is all about...expressing anything you want and hoping somebody will tune in to see.  I started social networking some time ago with my two blogs: this one, Rants and Raves…and Postcards.  This one, is of course, about technology…Postcards, if you haven’t read it, is about my travels and photographs.  Because of this, my writings and my photography are out there for anyone to see…to praise or to damn, or just enjoy.

But, social networking has expanded way beyond blogs.  Seems like there are new social networks popping up all the time.  I like to divide them into two categories…individual sites that perform specific services…and aggregators, where all of these individual sites services that you use can all be gathered in one place for your friends and the world to see.

Let’s start with the individual sites that each have a specific function.  Understand that there are lots of them, so I can’t even begin to cover them all.  First, there are the mini-blogs, Twitter being the most famous.  Twitter is best be classified as a mini-blog that asks the question, What are You Doing?  You have 140 characters to answer that question.  Thousands and thousands of people, both famous and not-so-famous are Twitterers.  Not only can you contribute, but you can follow others as they tweet.  President Obama, for a while, was one.  My favorites include Leo LaPorte, John C. Dvorak, Stephen Fry, and LeVar Burton.  You don’t have to be a member to read people’s Tweets, but if you join let me know and I will follow you.

Twitter works well for me and I contribute to it two or more times per day.  I like it because I can use my Blackberry to tweet when I am away from my computers.  So very handy.  And, according to the latest statistics, Twitter receives over 6 million tweets a day from its members.

Another similar site is Brightkite, not as popular as Twitter, but it ads the capability of listing your location and having it show on a Google map.  Other kinds of social sites include Delicious and Stumbleupon, where you can instantly mark web pages of interest; Flickr and Picassa where you can post your photos for public view; Youtube, where millions of videos are stored and you can list your favorites, Goodreads, where you can review the books you are reading or have read; Digg for news, Wakoopa that tracks your favorite software, iLike for music; even Netflix where you can review movies…and the list goes on and on.

I personally contribute to some of these because I want to.  But, where the rubber really hits the road is the aggregator sites.  The two most famous are Facebook and Friendfeed.  The main difference between the two is that Friendfeed is a public world of everything that's open for all to see. Facebook is a private world of pictures and comments shared by a circle of friends that’s not archived for the world to randomly read.

Being a public sort of guy, I much prefer Friendfeed and use it.  It is much easier to set up. You can follow me on Friendfeed as all the other services that I use all feed in automatically to Friendfeed.  Want to see some interesting web pages I have found, or read my Tweets, or read my book reviews, or even have a list of my two blogs whenever I write a new one? Then head over to my Friendfeed page.  If you have ever gone to my actual blog pages, you will see my last 10 entries on Friendfeed listed side-by-side with my blog.  I set up Friendfeed to automatically aggregate everything I do on the social networks, then put a link on each of my blog pages that shows the last 10 entries automatically.

And like Twitter, I also follow other people’s Friendfeeds to get even more good information.  

If you want to share your thoughts and interests, why not give social networking a try.  Start with Twitter. Be sure and follow people as well as write your own tweets.  Then, start experimenting with some other sites. I would recommend Delicious for bookmarking interesting pages on the Web…and if your are a reader, start using Goodreads.  Then, start aggregating all your input on Friendfeed.  If you decide to jump in, please let me know so I can follow you.

Use the Wheel on Your Mouse? Get this Freebie Today

KatMouse Freeware download and review

KatMouse is a mouse wheel enhancement utility that adds useful functionality to your wheel mouse. First of all it overcomes the requirement that the window must have keyboard focus in order for the scroll wheel to work. In addition, it allows for quick switching between active and inactive windows by simply pressing the wheel button. Get this one for sure!!

Top 10: Top 10 Outlook Boosters

Outlook is such a fixture of office and computer life, its potential as a central life-organizing inbox is easily taken for granted. Empower your Outlook with these add-ons, link-ups, and data management techniques.

Google Sync pushes contacts, calendars to phones

On Monday mobile phone users, including those with Apple's iPhone, got a new way to sync and access information from the cloud. Called Google Sync, the new service lets you sync up both calendars and contacts from a specified Google account and will send changes over the air--both ways.

Security: Properly Erase Your Physical Media

A whopping 40% of the used hard drives on eBay contain easily recoverable personal data. Use the following guide to ensure your personal data never makes it out into the wild.

10 Firefox themes that don't suck

There are plenty of great themes out there for Firefox - these are just a few that I particularly enjoy using.

It’s a Slow News Day

Identity Theft: It's Out of Your Hands - Solutions by PC Magazine

The most important thing you have is you, right? And online, you are your identity. If xyz.com doesn't value you enough to keep you safe, then does that company really deserve your business?

Lawsuit Alleges Netflix and Wal-Mart Acted Improperly

Several lawsuits filed across the country in the past two weeks allege Netflix Inc and Wal-Mart Stores Inc improperly negotiated Wal-Mart's departure from the online video market in 2005 to enable both companies to benefit illegally, said a lawyer involved in two suits on Thursday.

The 20 Best Free PC Games

Hey, times are tough. Games are expensive. What are you going to do, stop playing them? Hah! You can give your credit card a break and still stay up until 2am yelling at your computer monitor if you just know where to find all the best free PC games.

Microsoft Word Shortcut keys

This is a complete list of shortcut keys for use with Microsoft Word. Might come in handy

News, Free Software, and a Good Web Site

Satellite Radio: put a fork in it

Yesterday’s revelation in the New York Times that XM Sirius is in such financial straights that they’re considering declaring bankruptcy, didn’t come as a complete surprise.

Windows 7 build 7022 leaked

A new build of Windows 7 has been leaked, a build that promises better stability and increased performance.

Hollywood trying to sneak packet inspection into stimulus bill

The amendment, which was put forth by Senator Feinstein from California, would allow ISPs to exercise "reasonable network management," to keep tabs on what you're downloading. While the possibility of deterring more serious crimes like child pornography sounds like a good thing, it could also mean that we can kiss most of our online privacy goodbye.

Downloads: DVDSmith Movie Backup Copies Everything or Just Video Easily - Free

There are just five buttons to click on DVDSmith's single window, and most times you'll only need one. You can choose between "Full Disc," which gets you menus, extras, and the full DVD-watching experience, or click "Main Movie" to grab the longest video and audio tracks.

Real Time Flight Tracker & Airport Delays from FlightView

Track airline flights and check out airport problems. Good web site

More on Windows 7 and Review of MagicJack

Should Microsoft simplify XP-to-Win-7 upgrades?

When Windows 7 is released later this year or in early 2010, many PC users who upgrade will be coming from Windows XP. Unlike Vista users, they can't do an "in-place upgrade," in which the new OS overwrites the old one, preserving their installed applications, preferences, and data. Instead, they'll have to do a clean install, which means they have to back up their data, install Win 7 (either deleting or XP or installing as a separate environment), reinstall their apps, restore their data, and re-create their preferences.

How well does Windows 7 handle 512MB?

I’ve been spending most of my time lately conducting in-depth research into how Windows 7 works, in preparation for my next book. In the process, I’m discovering stuff that simply doesn’t become apparent to a casual tester.

Sad news: Consumers don't pay up for quality

Erica Ogg's post "Report: Pioneer to exit TV business" made a point abundantly clear: TV buyers won't pay a premium price for a better display.

What's new about the Kindle 2? Not a whole lot

the announcement itself was underwhelming. The price, $359, remains the same. The battery life's been improved by about 25 percent. The Kindle 2 is much skinnier than its predecessor, slimming down to 0.36 inches in thickness from 0.7, but it's only a tenth of an ounce lighter. The storage capacity has jumped from 256MB to 2GB, or about 200 to 1,500 books, and the electronic ink display has improved from a 4-shade to 16-shade grayscale.

The Complicated Case of magicJack - Columns by PC Magazine

Turns out the problem isn't with the product itself—it's with the company's technical support. And for many would-be buyers, the issues that are coming to light are unacceptable deal breakers.

Firefox: Add-Art Replaces Advertisements with Artwork

Firefox only (Windows/Mac/Linux): Add-Art is a unique advertisement-blocking solution for Firefox. Instead of simply deleting ads from the page, it replaces them with art by featured artists.

TV without Cable, Satellite, or Antenna

As I may have mentioned before, I have no television in my new digs in Tucson.  I left it in storage in Ephrata when I came south.  And guess what, except for football (which is now over) I don’t need it, nor do I miss it.  I live in a great city with lots of interesting activities, I read more than I have in quite some time…and I am watching episodes of those few TV shows that I like, whenever I want.

You see, TV shows have come to the Internet.  Using two different Web sites and a free downloadable program from Adobe, I watch the shows I want to watch at any time, with very few commercials (far less than if I watched on a TV).  Now, of course I live alone so watching on a computer is not a problem.  But if I had a family, it might be a little more difficult to not have a TV.  Can you picture you and your family gathered around the computer watching your favorite show?

Be that as I may, I am going to tell you how to do this.  Yesterday, you might recall I ran an article about cable and satellite companies starting to feel the pinch of our sinking economy.  Getting TV from these folks is not cheap, and they keep raising their prices.  And, even with all the channels they offer, for some of us discriminating viewers, often there is still nothing on worth watching.  Even if you have a DVR, you still must pay these steep tariffs to find the programs you want. That also means that 95% or more of what is available for watching is unseen, meaning the vast amount of your TV dollars are being wasted.

Long before I left Washington, I began renting past episodes of TV shows that I liked from Netflix.  For instance, I got hooked on “NCIS.”  I rented all the DVD’s for the first five seasons, but would have had to wait a while to get the year 6 episodes.  Not now.  I’ve watched them all on my computer using Adobe Media Player, a free downloadable software.  They also have many other TV shows available for free, including old shows like Perry Mason, The Outer Limits, and the Twilight Zone, to name a few.

But, this one program doesn’t have all the shows I like.  For others I turn to Hulu and Fancast, on the Internet.  You can watch their shows, also for free and with few interruptions.  All three of these TV sources offer decent size screens and quality video output.  It’s too bad one can’t get all the TV shows one likes in one place, but that is the way it is in these early days of TV on the Net.  The only complaint I have is that even though there is only a 30 second commercial here and there, they often show the same commercial over and over.

Of course, the future is unpredictable right now, but in my situation, I may never buy a new TV and pay outrageous fees to cable and satellite companies for programming that I don’t watch.  What I am doing now on the Internet is just fine.  I have a feeling that the entire entertainment industry will eventually have to wake up and smell the coffee in this new economy, and start offering a la carte channel programming if they are to survive.  That means you pick the channels you want to watch and to heck with the rest.

Not a bad scenario.     

High Tech and Our Economic Woes

Year in review: Lows for the high-tech economy

What seemed like a decent if uninspiring year for the industry, despite bad news from the real estate markets and creeping trouble in the financial sector, went south in September.

Green Tech Could Get Economy High, With a Little Help From the Feds

Funding continues to pour into green-technology research and development despite low oil prices and a stubborn recession, but whether that will continue long enough to help the economy recover may be up to the government.

Economy Could Slow Business Adoption of Windows 7

The turbulent economy could hinder enterprise adoption of Windows 7, even though many companies opted to skip Windows Vista and are still running the outdated Windows XP OS, analysts said. Although the beta of Windows 7 released in January is getting good reviews, that may not be enough to inspire businesses to upgrade, given their tight IT budgets and the fact that many are cutting costs in any way they can.

Pay TV Providers Worry About Penny-Pinching Viewers

Porter McConnell gave up on pay TV last summer after noticing that monthly rates kept creeping up. Now with no satellite or cable TV, she watches her trusty old TV set with an antenna or she goes online to catch her favorite programs...which is exactly what I am doing these days.

First Look video: TurboTax vs. TaxCut

Finding your way to the right tax-prep program is almost as complicated as doing the taxes themselves.

News, Tips, and Free Software

Microsoft plans critical patches for IE, Exchange

Microsoft Thursday said it will deliver four security updates on Tuesday, two of them pegged "critical," and will finally issue a patch for SQL Server that it's been working on since last April.

Windows 7 Video Tips - CNET TV

A lot of folks are messing about with the Windows 7 beta. So we thought it would be cool to get ahead of the game and do some Windows 7 tips. Even if you don't have the operating system, these tips will give you an idea of what it does, and how it might differ from Windows Vista. So have a look at our Windows 7 tip videos. Watch now!

Gmail gives users 'Multiple Inboxes'

Google late Thursday unveiled a new Gmail Labs feature that allows users to have more than one inbox in their default Gmail view. The new feature--called Multiple Inboxes--allows users to have multiple viewing panes open simultaneously without having to open another browser window. The upgrade gives users a quick view at important labels as well as saved searches.

Beware the bogus economic-stimulus e-mail

Online scammers, always quick to exploit the latest news event, are sending out e-mails promising economic-stimulus package payments but that instead steal sensitive data, the US-CERT warned on Friday. The e-mails are disguised to look like official Internal Revenue Service communications. They offer a link to a Web site that asks for personal information or include a form that needs to be filled out and returned, the security organization said in an alert.

The Best Free Software 2008 - Reviews by PC Magazine

We've just released our newest collection of the best free software—the 2009 edition! Click on over for 173 other pieces of software to unlock the real potential of your PC…for free.

Congress Delays Digital TV Date

Congress approves delay of digital-TV transition | Politics and Law - CNET News

With less than two weeks left before the scheduled national transition to digital broadcasting, Congress on Wednesday approved a delay of the DTV switchover. The House of Representatives voted 264 to 158 to push the transition back from February 17 to June 12. The Senate unanimously approved the delay last week.

Microsoft offers to just 'Fix it' | Beyond Binary - CNET News

When people encounter a problem with their PC, they often go to the Web and do a search to see if others have had the problem. If they are lucky, someone has found a fix and listed the steps on either a support document or within a user forum. Now, they may have an even better option. Over the past six weeks, Microsoft has quietly added a "Fix it" button to a few of the thousands of help documents on its Web site. When clicked, the computer then takes all the recommended steps automatically.

New Firefox 3.0.6 targets security issues

Mozilla on Tuesday released an update to Firefox for Windows, Mac, and Linux that its developers said addresses several security and stability issues in the Web browser.

Google's Cloud: 8 Key Questions

Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, and virtually every other technology company are racing up to the sky and into the clouds. This is, for the most part, a good thing: Think lightweight clients and server-based data that we can access from anywhere in the world. All we need is a Web browser.

The Best Security Suites for 2009 - Reviews by PC Magazine

Which suite will be best for keeping you safe and not slowing you down this year? We've tested them all, and the answer might surprise you. (I don’t recommend using any full security suite, rather only parts of it.  Takes up to much memory and processes)

More Good Windows Info

Removing admin rights stymies 92% of Microsoft's bugs

Nine of out 10 critical bugs reported by Microsoft last year could have been made moot, or at least made less dangerous, if people ran Windows without administrative rights, a developer of enterprise rights management software claimed Tuesday.

Microsoft’s Windows 7 line-up: The good, the bad and the ugly

For XP users who’ve skipped Vista and are wondering whether they’ll be able to get upgrade pricing when moving straight to Windows 7, the answer is “Yes, we can!” The official statement, from a Microsoft spokesperson: “Customers can purchase upgrade media and an upgrade license to move from Windows XP to Windows 7; however, they will need to do a clean installation of Windows 7.”

Disable Unnecessary Windows Services

Because Windows XP has to be all things to all people it has many services running that take up system resources that you will never need. Below is a list of services that can be disabled on most machines:

Hands On with Gmail Offline - News and Analysis by PC Magazine

Gmail's new offline mail feature has gotten plenty of press, but not everyone knows where to find it or how to use. It. That's because Google chose, as it does with virtually every new feature, to put it in its Labs area (in this case, Gmail Labs), a repository for experimental features that you may or may not want to use.

Did online companies market their brands well at the Super Bowl?

Can you communicate what a Web site is about to millions of sports fans looking for entertainment above all else? Now that the Super Bowl is over, let's examine how well the online firms that bought ads fared in delivering spots that effectively communicated their online services.

Super Bowl Ads Available for your Viewing Pleasure

IE slips further as Firefox, Safari, Chrome gain | Digital Media - CNET News

Internet Explorer now has 67.55 percent of global browser market share, a drop of over seven percentage points in a year, according to figures from Web metrics company Net Applications, released Monday. Mozilla's Firefox browser, meanwhile, has gained market share in the same time frame, climbing over three percentage points to 21.53 percent.

Google Earth Now Explores Oceans and Mars

Google Inc. on Monday launched a new version of Google Earth that allows users to explore the oceans, view images of Mars and watch regions of the Earth change over time.

Skype 4.0 for Windows delivers truer video, sound

Skype 4.0 became available for free on Tuesday to Windows users. The free desktop VoIP communicator is a worthy final version that brings some key enhancements with video and audio bandwidth, though it leaves behind some of the extra adornments of version 3.8, the last stable build.

Super Bowl XLIII Ads

Did you miss some or all of the Super Bowl ads...or want to see the good ones again? Hulu.com (sponsor of their own Super Bowl ad) has put them up for you to see. Interestingly each ad is sponsered by another ad.

Hulu: We're evil, and proud of it

Google's "don't be evil" motto has been the target of the occasional critic. Hulu, however, has declared in its hyped-up Super Bowl TV ad that it is evil--and it's not making any apologies.

Weekend News and Freebies

Google gets overprotective, flags whole internet as malware

Google has some built in tools that will warn you before you click a link that could take you to a website running code that could harm your computer. And usually that's a good thing. But Saturday morning, Google started returning warnings for virtually every single search result.

Hulu: We're evil, and proud of it

Google's "don't be evil" motto has been the target of the occasional critic. Hulu, however, has declared in its hyped-up Super Bowl TV ad that it is evil--and it's not making any apologies.

Keep a Spare PC at the Ready for Emergencies - PC World

Some good ideas here for emergencies to keep you up and running when your main PC goes down. I am sensitive to this as my main desktop just went down.

Featured Freeware: Pandora Recovery

Now for NTFS and FAT-formatted volumes, Pandora functions by scanning the hard drive and building an index of existing files and deleted file markers. This, in turn, allows the dead files to be brought back to life--as long as the file format is currently supported by the computer. Users can browse for deleted files, search for specific ones, preview certain file types like images, and get an estimate on the chance of recovery and the amount of time the procedure will take.

Weather apps: Six more weeks of winter?

Here are some of our favorite ways to read the mercury on our Windows PCs.

Super Bowl Technology Special

Tech ads on the sidelines at this year's Super Bowl

In the business world, that amorphous concept called "consumer confidence" is measured in dozens of metrics, algorithms, and white papers. In the real world, there are Super Bowl ads. So, unsurprisingly, if you look at the lineup of Super Bowl ads from tech companies this year, the outlook isn't sunny. Virtually all the electronic and digital brands running ads at this year's game between the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers have advertised at the Super Bowl in past years

The tech that makes the Super Bowl super

The production of an actual NFL game requires lots of technology--from the headsets coaches use to communicate, to the computers used to calculate statistics to the HD cameras that record the contest for the viewing audience. When it comes to the Super Bowl, one of the biggest sporting events in the world, technology has always played a very central role, and this year is no exception.

First and 10: the technology behind the Super Bowl broadcast - Ars Technica

Note: Today we're received plenty of inquiries looking for the "Super Bowl" article, so without further ado, we're republishing it! The article first appeared online 1 year and 1 day ago, just before Super Bowl XLI. While some things have changed (FOX and not CBS is broadcasting this year), the article still gives some insight into how the production of the TV experience is accomplished.

24 Killer Portable Apps For Your USB Flash Drive

(Author):My flash drive works pretty hard, so I've spent a lot of time gathering a reliable, powerful set of portable tools that allow me to work hard and play hard, even if I can't do it on my own PC. Here are two dozen apps that I always have at the ready.

Special Security Edition

Computer security will become more important than ever in 2009.  I’ve decided to devote this edition strictly to understanding security to protect you from phishing attacks, malware, privacy, and other related security issues.  What is presented here is not some heavy duty security issues, but rather the very simple things you can do to protect yourself while computing at home or on the road.  READ THESE ARTICLES, FOLLOW THE RULES, AND YOU WILL HAVE THE BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE OF STAYING FREE OF BAD THINGS.  I have been doing most of them for years and have had very few problems.

Leo’s Six Rules for Safe Computing

Leo LaPorte’s simple and easy rules to follow to effectively stop bad stuff from entering your computer via the Internet. MUST READING. And I agree with Leo, use a router, but don't use a software firewall other than the one that comes with Windows. I’ve tried it and they just cause to many problems and can easily be disabled by invading malware.

Top Ten Rules for Safe Computing

Another set of simple to follow rules for safe computing. Read and use them where applicable.

Stopping Bad Things From Getting Into Your Computer

Looking for a magic bullet against malware? You won't find it in a browser. Roger A. Grimes tested all the major browsers (and some that aren't so major) and found that the browsers are probably safer than your computing practices are.

Hotspot Shield - Free software downloads

I have written about this here before, but since we are talking about safe computing, it bears repeating. Use this program whenever you use a public wi-fi with my laptop. Most public wi-fi hotspots are not secure and make your computer and communications vulnerable to hackers and security breaches. Nasty people using the same wireless network can hijack your personal information. Hotspot Shield gives you a simple solution to maintain your anonymity and protect your privacy when accessing free wi-fi hotspots. Hotspot Shield creates a virtual private network (VPN) between your laptop or iPhone and their Internet gateway. This impenetrable tunnel prevents snoopers and hackers from viewing your email, instant messages, credit card information or anything else you send over the network. This means you’ll remain anonymous and secure while on-line. IMPORTANT THAT YOU USE THIS WHEN USING A PUBLIC WI-FI

Easeus Disk Copy - Free

I wrote about this one in my last blog, but it bears repeating so you understand the difference between backing up your data and making an disk image. This program allows you to make a disk image of your c: drive so that if bad software ever does invade your system, you can delete your entire c: drive and restore your computer exactly as it was. This will save you days of work and have you back up in a very short time...and keep your important programs intact. Don't use this program for backing up your important data...there are better programs for that.

Interesting Stories and a Free Program to Back Up your Entire Drive

Congress likely to delay end of analog TV to June

Congress appears poised to grant a four-month delay in the upcoming shutdown of analog TV broadcasts, though broadcasters still will be allowed to go all-digital earlier if they want.

Online newspaper readership climbs 16 percent

Despite a virtual meltdown in the newspaper industry, the nation's top 10 online newspapers posted a 16 percent increase in December Web traffic, according to a report released Tuesday by Nielsen Online. Such results bode well for an industry that is currently undergoing tumultuous times, with a growing number of pulp-based publications contemplating bankruptcy, scaling back delivery days, or switching to an online-only format, as readership continues to decline and advertisers shift their spending online.

Gmail grows up with offline e-mail access

Significantly increasing the utility and competitiveness of its Web-based e-mail service, Google is enabling an experimental ability to read, write, and search Gmail messages even while not connected to the network.

One small step for a man, one giant leap for teleportation | Crave

We've still got a long way to go before human beings can be beamed from one place to another Star Trek-style, but on Friday a team of scientists at the University of Maryland achieved, nonetheless, a milestone in teleportation.

Easeus Disk Copy - Free

Disk Copy is a potent freeware providing sector to sector disk or partition copy regardless of your operating system, file systems and partition scheme. The sector to sector method assures you a copy identity to original. It can be used for backup, cloning, or upgrading your original small hard drive to a new larger drive. Simply speaking, it can backup anything from old hard drive including deleted, lost files and inaccessible data. If your C: drive dies, this could restore your entire computer on a new drive without re-installing your operating system and programs one-by-one.

A Great New Free Utility Program…and more

Why I love Windows 7, hate Linux, and think the Mac is lame

I am almost ready to agree with this ZDNet blogger. All last week, I used a MAC, and trust me, it ain't no big deal. I realize I am long-time Windows user, the MAC is nice, but I saw absolutely nothing to make me want to switch. In fact, much of what I saw made me want to stay where I am. And they can also keep Safari. I've tried to use Ubuntu and it is just way too complicated. When they make it as easy as a Mac or Windows, they might have a chance. As for Windows 7, I will let you know in a few days.

The Big Windows 7 Problem: XP Holdout

Microsoft hopes that the release of Windows 7 will solve problems ranging from desktop clutter to what Vista did to Microsoft's public reputation. But the toughest challenge may be to win over the group of people that arguably represent the software giant's biggest obstacle to success: Windows XP users.

How to Find the Right GPS - Reviews by PC Magazine

Are you still getting lost? Right, I know you never admit that you're lost, but in case you are, you may want to find a new GPS. Here's how to buy one and a selection of 13 good models to choose from.

Sudoku fans: Try these gnarly KenKen puzzles

Sudoku can get pretty tough. But if you're looking for fresh pastures, KenKen puzzles offer a new challenge.

Glary Utilities 2.10.0.622 (Windows), from Glaryutilities

Glary Utilities offers numerous powerful and easy-to-use system tools (including Glarysoft Registry Repair, which I recommended here and still use myself).  Now they have a whole utility package to fix, speed up, maintain and protect your PC. It allows you to clean common system junk files, as well as invalid registry entries and Internet traces. You can manage and delete browser add-ons, analyze disk space usage and find duplicate files…and even do encryption of files.

Free Partitioning Software and Interesting Articles

Windows 7 beta download deadline extended - Download Squad

Although Microsoft had originally pegged yesterday as the finale, they've decided to extend the deadline until February 10th, 2009.

Partition like a pro, but for free

One of the best new tools that Windows Vista came out with was a built-in partition manager. Last fall, one company began offering a freeware remedy for Windows XP users. Easeus Partition Manager brings a robust and diverse set of drive management tools to users of both operating systems, and is poised to compete with Partition Magic and other pay-for-play programs' most basic features. (PS: You would use this if you want to try Windows 7)

Craigslist: The Definitive Craigslist Guide for the Recession

To paraphrase one shopping expert, nearly everyone wants better deals on everything these days. Craigslist is a great place to get those deals, and you don't have to be a jerk to get them.

How to Stop Accumulating Books

You've bought another must-have book, and the last book, the one that was waiting for you on the coffee table, has silently migrated to your bookshelf, without ever getting read. You're a book hoarder. How do you stop the insanity?

3 Videos and Other Good Info

Hands-on video guide to Windows 7 | InfoWorld

Here are 10 video tours of Windows 7, explaining what's added, remove, and changed in 10 areas that users and IT care about. The videos are quick lessons on what you can expect when Windows 7 ships later this year or early next year. Definitely worth a view. Just click the first one and you can sit back and all will run one after another.  Best information on Windows 7 yet!

Insider Secrets: Dual boot Windows 7 beta

This video guide will help you create a dual-boot configuration, so you can run the preview of Microsoft's latest OS without destroying your older operating system.

Four places that import your Google Notebooks

As we reported here, Google Notebooks has been killed off by Google. Good news, there are a handful of places that let you move over all your Google Notebooks with relative ease. We rounded up four of the latest ones that let you do it right from your browser.

Get TaxCut Standard 2008 for $1 at Dollar Tree

April 15 still seems like a long way off, but it's not too early to get a deal on tax prep software. Dollar Tree is selling H&R Block TaxCut Standard 2008 for just $1 (plus tax in most states).This version of TaxCut includes one free federal e-file. As for state returns, well, that's where they get you: H&R wants $29.95 to prep a state return.  But if your state has no income tax, you are looking good.

YouTube - The Truth About Bottled Water

Good expose on bottled water done by Penn and Teller...also funny. It was on their Showtime TV show so there is some colorful language, but it is more about exposing the phoniness of bottled water. Recommended

Worms, Windows, and Taxes

Keep the latest worm infestation off your PC

It's been a hellacious week for security admins all over the world: the polymorphic worm known as Downadup, Conficker, and Kido has infected millions of computers. Fortunately, you can scan, scour, and secure your systems by following four relatively simple steps.

The New Windows 7 Taskbar

The taskbar is one of those things that just makes Windows what it is. It has gone through plenty of iterative changes over the years, and Windows 7 incorporates some of the largest changes yet. The name of the game is now efficiency, transparency, and ease of use.

Gartner: Blame Vista for Microsoft layoffs

The crux of Microsoft's problem wasn't people; it was the insistence that Windows Vista was better than XP, and the long-term denial of customer and analyst comments illustrating the fact that Vista was not great.

The Top Tools for Tax Season - Reviews by PC Magazine

The good news is, the 2008 tax code includes changes that may save you money: a new first-time-homebuyer credit, an increase in the standard mileage rate, and lowered taxes for many investors, to name a few. The better news is, you don't have to set out with pencil and paper and calculator to figure out how the changes may affect you.

Windows 7 and an Exciting New Desktop Possibility

I know I have sent a lot of information your way lately about the new Windows 7, and I hope you enjoy it.  The reason is that is fascinates me that Microsoft might be on the verge of actually getting something right, immediately out of the gate.  Vista has been a disaster, and if you think way back, you will remember that even XP was heavily criticized when it first hit the shelves. 

I am excited to see Windows 7 when it comes out.  If I have some time in the very near future, I am going to put the beta version on my computer in a dual boot system. Every expert who I respect says this is a very good operating system.  Of course, the hidden sub-message here and why Microsoft is pushing it is that the company is admitting that Vista is a disaster.

What’s really new in Windows 7? | Ed Bott’s Microsoft Report

Is there a single killer feature in Windows 7 that justifies an upgrade, especially for someone who is happy with Windows XP and has chosen to avoid Windows Vista? The obvious, if oversimplified answer, is “No.” For most mainstream business and home uses, there’s no killer feature in Windows 7.

CEO predicts future uses for Twitter | Videos on ZDNet

At a Churchill Club event in San Francisco, Twitter CEO Evan Williams reveals which possible uses for his microblogging. Maybe it might help you find a use for your personal twitting.

FCC probes Comcast's phone practices (AP)

Comcast Corp., the nation's biggest cable TV operator, is being investigated by the Federal Communications Commission over concerns that it is giving preferential treatment to its phone service at the expense of similar services from competitors.

Skype: Run Skype from Your Thumb Drive

Popular VoIP (Voice over IP) application Skype provides a cheap way to stay in contact with your friends and family, but it's not portable, so you can't carry it with you. Not unless you know how, that is. Skype's voice quality is amazing. Much higher quality than a regular voice line.

Enigma - An Exciting Desktop Option by Kaelri

This is an exiting looking desktop that goes way beyond most other desktops. You have to configure it yourself, so it will take a little work, but the instructions are included. The download button is on the upper right of this page.

Where to Watch the Inauguration

Where to watch Obama’s presidential inauguration online

Washington is about to throw President-elect Barack Obama a $160 million party on Tuesday, January 20 at 11:30 ET, so the least you should do is show up! But for those of us who don’t want to bear the incredibly low temperatures of D.C. at this time of year, there’s always the comfort of our own homes…and the warm, fuzzy glow of our computer screens.

CEO predicts future uses for Twitter | Videos on ZDNet

At a Churchill Club event in San Francisco, Twitter CEO Evan Williams reveals which possible uses for his microblogging. Maybe it might help you find a use for your personal twitting.

Find freeware versions of commercial apps with Last Freeware Version - Download Squad

Some of the best commercial Windows utilities started out as freeware. If you want the latest versions of these programs with all the new features, bug fixes, and other updates you'll have to pull out your wallet. But if you're OK with using an older version or just want to try the program for a while before deciding whether to pay for the most recent update, you can often install the last freeware version.

Windows 7 Video…and the Death of Circuit City

First Look video: Windows 7 beta

This 3 1/2 minute video shows you exactly what Windows 7 looks like. I am impressed and am sorely temped to download and run the beta. I hope the final version will turn out as good as the beta looks now.

Securing the Windows 7 beta | Beyond Binary - CNET News

Despite the fact that security programs are often some of the toughest code to make work with a new operating system, Windows 7 already has several companies ready with products aimed at keeping it safe from attackers. By comparison, only one antivirus firm--McAfee--had its security software commercially ready by the time Microsoft launched Vista for businesses in November 2006.

Test drive: Windows 7 on a Netbook | Digital City Podcast

From off-the-record conversations with PC makers during CES, we heard that Windows 7 played well with systems powered by Intel's Atom CPU--which is something we generally can't say about Vista.

Circuit City to shut down remaining stores | Crave

After exploring other options, Circuit City said Friday it will begin liquidating all remaining stores. About 30,000 employees face layoffs as the rest of its 567 stores are closed. The fates of outstanding warranties, its Firedog repair service, and Canadian stores are still to be determined, according to the company.

3D is coming to a living room near you | CES 2009 - CNET Blogs

Three-dimensional TV is coming to a living room near you. But will the technology spur a consumer spending spree like digital and high-definition TV did before it? Or will 3D end up being the next big flop?

What is Cloud Computing…and more

Defogging cloud computing |Editor's Blog | Eric Knorr | InfoWorld

So many vendors have jumped on the cloud computing bandwagon, the phrase already risks jumping the shark. The problem is that "cloud computing" has two distinctly different meanings: The use of commercial Internet-based services, and the architecture for building and deploying such services.

Windows 7 on older hardware: A Catch 22 for Microsoft

There are a few bloggers wondering aloud about how well Windows 7 ultimately is going to run on older hardware. That’s an interesting question, given Microsoft’s symbiotic relationship with its hardware partners who constantly are in search of new ways to convince users to buy pricier PCs.

System Explorer 1.5 (Windows), from Mister Group - Free Downloads on ZDNet

This free, full-featured system analyzing tool lets you take a sneak peek at everything that's going on in your system, from currently active processes to installed drivers, including also network collections, startup applications and Internet Explorer add-ons, if you have any.

Notebooks: Where to Go When Google Notebook Goes Down

Google's Notebook webapp was tightly integrated with other Google apps, had a killer Firefox extension, and was great at getting things done. "Was," though, because Google is ending support. Here's where heartsick users should turn.

Inside Google's Gmail: What's next? | Webware - CNET

Earlier this week, a CNet reporter sat down with Gmail Product Manager Todd Jackson to talk about the future of the service and to find out what's been keeping the team busy behind the scenes. Here are five tidbits from the meeting you might find interesting.

Steve Jobs Takes Medical Leave…and More

Apple's Jobs takes medical leave, shares tumble

Apple Inc chief and tech visionary Steve Jobs will take a leave of absence till end-June because of health problems "more complex" than thought, backtracking on reassurances, stunning investors and sending its shares skidding 10 percent on Wednesday.

Google Kills Services: Notebook, Dodgeball, Others Gone

Google announced that it will end development and close down in the coming months Jaiku, Dodgeball, Catalog Search, Google Notebook and uploads for Google Video.

Has your PC become a spammer's botnet zombie?

Worldwide spam traffic dramatically dropped after a major spam server was temporarily shut down last fall, raising public awareness of botnets: networks of PCs that have been turned into spam-spewing robots. Most antivirus applications are ill-equipped to stop this kind of malware, but you can reduce the risk of having your PC become zombified.

Top free tools for rooting out rootkit spies

I tested a number of free rootkit detectors for Windows XP and Windows Vista, and my clear favorite is F-Secure's Blacklight, which combines thorough system scanning with the familiar interface reminiscent of a standard antivirus program.

The Presidential Portrait Goes Digital - PC World

Barack Obama's election to U.S. president has already brought a string of firsts, and on Wednesday there came another. The official presidential portrait was shot on a digital camera for the first time.

Update on USB 3.0…and More

USB 3.0 will crush eSATA, FireWire

Intel demonstrated a working version of USB 3.0 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week. Here's why it will make eSATA and FireWire obsolete

Windows bit-rot - fact or fiction?

Ahhh, bit rot, or more specifically, software rot or code rot. This is a subject that I and TalkBack users have touched on many a time in this blog, but I don’t think I’ve ever written about it before in any detail. Time to rectify that.

16 E-Mail and Instant Messaging Boosters - PC World

We've rounded up 16 great downloads to help you communicate better through e-mail and instant messaging. They'll help enhance the way you use e-mail (whether it's Web-based or handled in software on your PC), and they'll power up instant messaging chats, too. So if you want to be known as the Great Communicator, read on.

Get Rid of 10 Microsoft Outlook Aggravations - PC World

Outlook has countless features, ranging from e-mail gathering to calendaring, contact tracking, to-do list creation and more -- yet its tendency toward bloat, sluggishness and unreliability can make it maddening to use. Here are some solutions

Google Earth brings masterpieces from Prado museum direct to armchair art lovers

Armchair tourists who are used to travelling the globe with Google Earth can now use the same technology to crawl all over the masterpieces in one of the world's most famous galleries: the Prado. The Madrid museum and the internet search giant today unveil the first use of Google's mapping program to allow art lovers to get so close to their favorite paintings that even the brush strokes are visible.

Windows 7 Beta Facts

The Windows 7 beta is now available for download from Microsoft.  Unlike Vista, this will be the only beta that Microsoft will release.  After that, there will be a Windows 7 Release Candidate (probably in about 3 months), followed by the final release itself.

Microsoft is not saying when they will actually release it, but according to Paul Therrott, one of my favorite Windows experts and founder of the Windows Supersite, Windows 7 is basically finished and works very well.  The beta expires in August of this year, so that may give you some idea when the actual Windows 7 will hit the market.  Another columnist I read, Ed Bott, says to look for a July release. 

So, I would not run out and buy a copy of Vista if I were you.  From everything I hear, this version of Windows may be a huge success as it can run on many older machines that Vista can never run on and it is much faster.  Here is more from Paul:

Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows: Windows 7 Beta Compatibility

On the several PCs to which I've installed the Beta so far--two desktop PCs and four notebook computers--every PC was usable "out of the box," meaning that I never had to seek out third party drivers before actually getting to work.

More on Windows 7 

The following is from the most recent Windows XP News Newsletter:

Can I upgrade Windows XP to Windows 7?
QUESTION:
I keep hearing that Windows 7 is the operating system XP users have been waiting for, and now I hear the beta is going to be available to the public. My question: can I upgrade my XP computer directly to Windows 7 or do I have to install Vista first? And if I don't like it, can I roll it back to Windows XP without any problems? Thanks. - Troy L.
ANSWER:
Microsoft released a public beta of Windows 7 last week, announced by Steve Balmer at CES and it's already been downloaded by many computer users. If you're running XP, it's important to note that upgrading from Windows XP is not supported. An upgrade from Vista SP1 to Windows 7 is supported - but we don't recommend it.

The best option is always to do a clean installation, and since this is beta software, we recommend that you either install Windows 7 on a separate partition so you can dual boot it with your current operating system (leaving the current XP or Vista OS intact), or install it in a virtual machine that runs on top of your existing OS. Read more here:
http://www.wxpnews.com/9LH8QB/090113-XP-to-Windows7
For instructions on how to dual boot Windows 7 with XP or Vista, see this article:
http://www.wxpnews.com/9LH8QB/090113-Dual-Boot

Microsoft’s War on Fake Security Software

Microsoft kicks fake security software off 400,000 PCs

Microsoft is at war with fake security software. In the second month of a campaign against fake security software, Microsoft Corp. has booted the rogue application "Antivirus 2009" from almost 400,000 PCs, the company recently claimed. The program is free, only takes a couple of minutes to run, and is updated every month as part of your Windows Updates. Highly recommended!! Go to: http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

CES 2009 - Consumer Electronics Show - Best of CES Awards: Nominees

Since 2006, CNET has presented the Best of CES Awards, given to the top product in 10 categories as well as one coveted Best in Show award. See the gadgets that topped out list for this year, and find out the People's Voice winner, decided by more than 10,000 member votes.

Do you still buy CDs? | The Audiophiliac Blog

The numbers are grim, all right, but the music industry still sells hundreds of millions of CDs each year. That's a lot of discs, and sales of downloads won't surpass silver discs for a while.

Google up, Microsoft down in November Web searches

Here are the results of on-line searches for the month of November. You can see that Google is by far the strongest search engine in terms of numbers...and getting stronger. It is interesting to see who stands where.

Get Satisfaction - People-Powered Customer Service

Customer service doesn't have to suck. On this Web site, you can have real conversations with company employees and other customers who will answer your questions about the products and services you use. You might find this site of interest.

More Good Info on Windows 7…and more

Windows 7 beta 1 performance - How does the OS compare to Vista and XP?

How does Windows 7 beta 1 compare to Vista and XP in terms of performance? That’s a question that’s been hitting Kingsley-Hughes' inbox regularly over the past few weeks. Spoiler alert...tests shows that Windows 7 blows the doors off of both XP and Vista.

Six Vista annoyances fixed in Windows 7 | Ed Bott’s Microsoft Report

Early reports on Windows 7 are coming in fast and furious from tech writers. Most reports show that Windows 7 may be a winner. In this post, Ed Botts show you six specific annoyances from Windows Vista that are fixed in Windows 7. Each one represents an easier, more efficient way to accomplish a common task. Collectively, they constitute some pretty persuasive evidence that “have it our way” is no longer the controlling design principle among Windows’ designers.

Obama urges Congress to postpone DTV transition

President-elect Barack Obama's transition team on Thursday asked Congress to consider postponing the upcoming national switch to digital television, warning that more congressional action is needed to address potential problems.

Googlepedia for Firefox brings Wikipedia to you

If you're one whose search results lead you to a Wikipedia page nine times out of ten, you would do well to install the Googlepedia extension for Firefox. This free, terrifically easy add-on pulls the Wikipedia article most closely associated with your search term into the right half of a Google search results page. Modest controls let you expand, shrink, or hide the article.

A List of Fake Anti-Spyware

Here is a partial list of fake anti-spyware programs that you may see advertised on the Internet. Do not get these. Not listed are AntiVirus 360 and Antivirus 2009, also fakes with deadly payloads.

CES 2009 is Underway

CES 2009 - CES news & blogs - CNET

The Consumer Electronics Show is underway in Las Vegas. On this site you can catch all the latest news, new products, videos, and blog reports.

Ballmer's CES Keynote Address Touts Windows 7 Beta

CES started with Steve Balmer's Keynote Address. In perhaps the biggest announcement of the night, he announced Microsoft is ready with a beta version of Windows 7 and he will show off some of its key consumer features. This story also has a 10 minute video from his address

Intel warning casts cloud over CES

Intel's fourth-quarter warning is not only bad news but bad timing. With the Consumer Electronics Show kicking off Thursday adorned by all those bright, shiny gadgets, Intel effectively said: gadgets maybe, but not so bright and shiny. And for an Intel warning, this one was particularly dire. The biggest chip bellwether said it now expects only $8.2 billion in revenue for the quarter, a 23 percent drop from the year-earlier period, and 20 percent from the third quarter. And this comes after issuing a warning on November 12.

Photoshop Elements tutorials

Amateur Photographers take note: Here are over 100 tutorials on Photoshop Elements, the low cost but very powerful version of Photoshop. This incredible program should be number one on your shopping list if you love photography but don't want to spend the big bucks for the full version of Photoshop. 99% of all photographers don't need the full version, all they need is Elements

Hotspot Shield 1.10 -Free - Hotspot Shield secures your Internet connection from hackers

I use this program whenever I use a public wi-fi with my laptop. Most public wi-fi hotspots are not secure and make your computer and communications vulnerable to hackers and security breaches. Hotspot Shield gives you a simple solution to maintain your anonymity and protect your privacy when accessing free wi-fi hotspots. Hotspot Shield creates a virtual private network (VPN) between your laptop or iPhone and our Internet gateway. This impenetrable tunnel prevents snoopers and hackers from viewing your email, instant messages, credit card information or anything else you send over the network. This means you’ll remain anonymous and secure while on-line.

Windows 7 update and More…

Obama picks RIAA's favorite lawyer for a top Justice post

As a presidential candidate, Barack Obama won applause from legal adversaries of the recording industry. Stanford law professor Larry Lessig, the doyen of the "free culture" movement, endorsed the Illinois senator, as did Google CEO Eric Schmidt and even the Pirate Party. That was then. As president-elect, one of Obama's first tech-related decisions has been to select the Recording Industry Association of America's favorite lawyer to be the third in command at the Justice Department. And Obama's pick as deputy attorney general, the second most senior position, is the lawyer who oversaw the defense of the Copyright Term Extension Act--the same law that Lessig and his allies unsuccessfully sued to overturn.

• Windows 7 beta: First impressions

Windows 7 could be one of Microsoft's greatest operating systems, if it fulfills the promise shown by the unofficial beta version (build 7000) we have been testing for the past couple of days. I have been pleased to discover over the past several days that Microsoft appears to have built on Vista's strengths and addressed most of its weaknesses with the beta release of Windows 7.

• Report: PC makers to provide free Vista-to Win-7 upgrades starting July 1

In yet another indicator as to the progress of Windows 7, the Tech ARP site reported that Microsoft plans to allow PC makers to offer customers who buy Windows Vista machines as of July 1 free upgrades to Windows 7 once it ships. Windows 7 may be closer than anyone realizes.

• Apple iTunes goes all DRM free, with three price tiers

Apple announced today that effective immediately 8 million songs on iTunes would be DRM free, and that by the end of the quarter all 10 million songs on the popular music site would be DRM free. DRM stands for Digital Rights Management, otherwise known as copy protection. DRM-free music can be shared between all your devices without complicated registration and proprietary software.

• Our Favorite Blogs - Reviews by PC Magazine

For the second year in a row, PC Magazine has done an informal survey across the PCMag editorial staff to find out which sites our colleagues and coworkers have their RSS readers pointed to. What follows are our Top 100 Blogs. They're not necessarily the best, or even the most informative, but they are what we're reading. The blogs contained herein range from the newsy to the absurd—all in all, we think they represent a fairly comprehensive cross-section of what's out there. Sadly, neither of my two blogs made the list. Oh well.

• A Preview of Next Week's CES Show and What Will be Hot

This is a preview of what may be the hot technologies of next week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Will have many stories and videos next week from CES

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Music Biz Does an About Face… and more

Music Industry to Abandon Mass Suits - WSJ.com

After years of suing thousands of people for allegedly stealing music via the Internet, the recording industry is set to drop its legal assault as it searches for more effective ways to combat online music piracy. The decision represents an abrupt shift of strategy for the industry, which has opened legal proceedings against about 35,000 people since 2003. Critics say the legal offensive ultimately did little to stem the tide of illegally downloaded music. And it created a public-relations disaster for the industry, whose lawsuits targeted, among others, several single mothers, a dead person and a 13-year-old girl.

Cloud hangs over Macworld opening

In a surprise move, the company recently shocked fans by announcing this year's Mac World event is its last. It also revealed that chief executive Steve Jobs would not present the keynote address, reigniting speculation his health has deteriorated following pancreatic cancer surgery in 2004.

Apple Introduces Revolutionary New Laptop With No Keyboard

Don't miss this video from the Onion News Network about the revolutionary new laptop from Apple. It is being shown at the Apple Mac Expo going on in San Francisco. You may not believe what you see.

LG, Netflix to launch TVs with instant movie viewing

Netflix and LG Electronics said on Sunday that LG will soon introduce TV sets that can screen Netflix movies directly from the Web without an external box. Netflix, which is seeking to equip all home-entertainment screens with instant movie-viewing capability, also announced other partnerships, including one with Microsoft's Xbox 360 to embed the movie software in its game consoles. Netflix subscribers who buy one of these devices can hook it up to their TVs to watch movies that can be downloaded from the Internet instantly, as part of their monthly rental plan. Subscribers can choose from about 12,000 movie titles and television episodes.

Starter Kit: Essential apps for your BlackBerry

So you've got a new BlackBerry? The good news is, it comes with great features right out of the box. The better news is that there are hundreds of fun and functional third-party apps to power up your fresh hardware. In our BlackBerry Starter Kit, we've rounded up a few of the most essential ones to get you started.

Hello Again…This Time from Tucson

I know its been a while since I wrote a technology blog. Some of you maybe wondering what happened to me…and some of you know what happened to me.

But, if you don’t, here is a quick synopsis. I no longer live in Ephrata…and I am no longer married (How is that for being concise). For the last few months I have been traveling around the western United States taking photographs and writing a blog about my experiences (http://postcards.corkrum.com). So, I really didn’t have time to follow the tech world or check out new software, or any of the enjoyable techie things I have been doing for over 10 years. I lived in my van mostly, or hotels and my only companions were my cameras, my Blackberry, and laptop (and my GPS unit and iPod).

But, when winter closed in, my traveling became very restricted (like to southern Arizona), so I took a place in Tucson, a city a fell in love with when I visited here a year ago). So now, I have my desktop computer back up and running and am taking great pleasure in following and exploring technology on a regular basis…and now I want to write about it again.

You don’t know how close I came to writing my last “Rants and Raves” blog, closing it down forever. But, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. But I also have a dilemma in that I really don’t have time to do two complete blogs.

I love writing my “Postcards” blog as it is so personal and I get to stretch my creative juices a lot farther…so I am not giving that one up. What I have decided to do is change the format of this blog slightly.

As I follow technology, I read many interesting articles, most of which I don’t have time to explore or write about. So now I am going to take those articles, write a quick synopsis, and put them in this blog, along with a link. Every couple of days of will publish my blog.

I am going to cover the same kinds of things that I have always covered: news, new technologies, great free programs, computers, software, digital photography, and so on. You can then choose to click the link and read more or just skip it. But, I will still write the occasional in-depth blog about things I find truly wonderful.

I think this solves my problem as I can assemble these links as I go along with my daily routine. And, in so many way, it goes back to my original newsletter format that I used to email out weekly for so many years. Want to know what it is going to look like? Well here are a couple of very interesting articles with links that I found in the last two days:

Internet Explorer Loses Market Share - PC World

The market share for Internet Explorer continues its downward spiral, while Firefox, Apple's Safari, and Google's Chrome browsers all increased their share. Firefox is now at 20%

Secunia Personal Software Inspector

A terrific free software program that can help protect you from security holes in your software. Secunia PSI seeks to address an often-overlooked software security issue: the out-of-date program. It makes sure that your applications are up-to-date, which is great not only for ensuring you've got the latest features, but it also takes care of any bug-fixes that might patch previously-unknown exploits. What's important about Secunia is that while it will notify you of updates, it only provides direct links. It won't automatically upgrade your software unless you tell it to.

Windows Starter Kit: Must-have PC apps | The Download Blog - Download.com

In this edition of the Download.com Windows Starter Kit, we've expanded our collection to include both the recommended free programs you've come to expect from us, and suitable alternatives if our choice doesn't make your grade. This year's categories include Web browsers, e-mail clients, office and productivity tools, parenting, image editors, music jukeboxes, video jukeboxes and players, file compressors, chatware, torrent clients, and seven five-star, must-have utilities.

So, what do you think? I have given you an interesting article and some good free software downloads. By the way, I am using Secunia and it does a great job. Recommended.

So, I will keep this blog going, which probably makes both of us happy. More soon!

Open Office 3.0 - A Winner

I've written before about OpenOffice, the free office software that emulates Microsoft Office software. I have used it and liked it very much and still use it on my laptop on occasion. The new version 3 is now out and available for a free download, and according the reviews I have read, it is a real winner.

A review on ZDNet called it, ..."a full-featured suite that gives us everything we need from MS Office and the world of productivity software while keeping the bottom line quite a bit more reasonable (you don’t get any more reasonable than free)."

If you want to try it out, download it at the OpenOffice.org Web site.

Why Vista Failed

Sorry I have not written much lately. I have been very busy and very distracted. I will explain all shortly.

In the meantime, I came across this interesting article on ZDNet entitled,"The Top Five Reasons Why Vista Failed." I think you might find it of interest...and it all makes perfect sense.

PS: I miss the Seinfeld/Gates ad.