Google and China are Friends Again

China renews Google's Web site license

The rocky relationship between Google and Beijing had cast doubt as to whether the license would be renewed. The tension became public in January when Google said it would cease censoring search results in China and also pointed a finger at Beijing as the source of cyber attacks on Google and other U.S. companies.

Congress weighs curbs on state 'iTaxes'

If there are two things state tax collectors seem to agree on, the first is that finding more money could really come in handy right now. The second is that taxing iTunes and other digital purchases might just do the trick. A new proposal in the U.S. Congress is, however, designed to curb many of these "iTaxes," which have popped up all over the country in the last three years.

Hotmail Overhaul Adds Spam Fix, New Features

Windows Live Hotmail is Hotmail's new incarnation, offering a spam-protection overhaul and a bevy of new features that make it a contender. The new Hotmail is integrated with other Microsoft services, notably Windows Messenger (instant messaging), Bing search, online versions of Office and a web-based storage repository called SkyDrive.

Ask Maggie: On dumping cable for online video

There is a growing amount of video content online. Some of it's free, from places such as Hulu. And some of it costs money. For example, Netflix has a monthly subscription fee ($9), and Amazon offers an on-demand service that allows you to rent or buy movies and shows. For some people, mainly those who don't need live news or sports programming, cutting the cord and streaming video from the Web onto a large screen TV is a great, low-cost alternative to paid subscription TV.

Free Utility Makes MS SkyDrive Even More Useful

Microsoft is offering all users 25GB of free online storage through its SkyDrive service. This free utility allow you to access that 25GB just as if it were a local disk drive. Simple, effective, useful and free; what more can you ask?

Borders eBook Store Now on Line

Borders Launches eBook Store, BlackBerry and Android Apps

To compliment its desktop, iPhone, and iPad apps, Borders unveiled new BlackBerry and Android eReader apps today, and opened the doors on its new eBook Store that allows users to purchase books directly from Borders.com and download them to their eReader of choice. I downloaded a couple of free books to my Calibre software, converted it to a Kindle format, then sent it to my Kindle. Works great...so anyone with an e-reader can use this site.

Big-name Windows apps neglect security

Five years after Microsoft baked Data Execution Protection into Windows, many ubiquitous applications -- including QuickTime, Picasa, and OpenOffice -- still don't use it

Windows XP SP2 updates end July 13 -- but don't panic

Scare stories abound about risks as Microsoft ends support for Windows XP, but updates will continues if you've installed SP3

First Look at the Improved and Redesigned Firefox 4

Windows/Mac/Linux: Mozilla today released the first beta build of Firefox 4, complete with a new look, new features, and support for more HTML5 specs. Here's a quick screenshot tour of how it's shaping up: The big changes come in the form of an interface overhaul and some updated support for HTML5 features.

Handy Windows Utilities That Stand Out

Some third-party Windows utilities are so helpful and productive that you wonder why Microsoft didn't think of them first. With a plethora of Windows utilities to choose from, here are a few that are among the best in their categories, including tools for file synchronization, file copying, screen capture, file browsing and more.

Helpful Tips Day

10 Expert Tips For Microsoft Word 2010

Microsoft Office 2010 is vast and powerful, but there are secret techniques you've got to know to get the most out of it. Our latest collection of tips features power-user tricks for Microsoft Word 2010.

How to make the most of Starbucks' free Wi-Fi

Starbucks is now offering free, unlimited Wi-Fi access at nearly 7,000 company-operated locations across the United States. The policy change came into effect Thursday, a little more than two years after Starbucks began offering two hours of free Wi-Fi to Starbucks card holders. Now, however, the time limits are gone, and you can enjoy unlimited free Wi-Fi at your local Starbucks any time you like for as long as you like.

Google Voice newbies, start here

Once invitation-only, Google Voice's free telecommunications service for U.S. residents is now available to all. There are so many features, getting started can be confusing for first-timers.

Calibre Is an Elegant E-Book Librarian

Calibre allows for easy e-book library management, file format conversions, e-book reading and syncing with an e-reader, all from a desktop, notebook or netbook computer. Some of its best functions include downloading content from Web sites and RSS feeds and converting it to e-reader-friendly formats, as well as providing a built-in content server for easy access from any computer. Highly, highly recommended for use with any e-book reader!!

SharpEnviro Is a Smart and Crisp-Looking Windows Desktop Replacement

SharpEnviro takes your Windows desktop and remixes it beautifully. It's not as minimal as the Windows 7 default, nor as data-heavy as many alternatives. Everything—the launcher menu, the taskbar, system tray, and desktops—gets some work. Take a look.

Apple and Dell’s Big Boo Boos

A Big Error: Apple Says iPhone Meter Needs Update

Apple has admitted to an iPhone 4 problem: Its calculation for signal strength is "totally wrong." Because the iPhone 4 incorrectly displays more bars of signal than it should, Apple said, the signal drop when the iPhone 4 is gripped is larger than reality. Apple will update the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 3G with an AT&T formula.

The ignominious death of Dell

How can you trust a company that sells faulty PCs and then blames its customers? Dell is dead to me

Office 2010's Web tools raise security questions

Microsoft's newest Office adds some nifty Internet features, including easy access to shared documents via SkyDrive and PowerPoint Broadcast. But putting personal and business information into the cloud opens up potential security risks that all Office 2010 users should be aware of.

Seagate unleashes 'world's first' 3TB external desktop drive

For the serious digital archivers out there, Seagate has just unveiled the FreeAgent GoFlex Desk external hard drive with a new capacity of 3TB of storage space to fill as you please.

The Best Browser: Summer 2010 Edition Roundup

With the Chrome-Opera JavaScript speed war, HTML5 video support coming in IE9, and an improved Safari from Apple, can Firefox keep our Editors' Choice?

Speed up Your Boot Time with Soluto.

Trust me when I say this program (or one like it) is way overdue. I am just glad it is here now and works like a dream. Let me start at the beginning. Soluto is a new FREE program, still technically in Beta. It is designed to help improve your boot-up time by telling you just what is going on during those few startup minutes.

After you install it and reboot your computer, it starts a timer going that you see in the lower left corner that tells you just how long your boot up sequence takes. After the boot is complete, it analyzes all the processes, then explains it to you.

The explanation comes in 3 sections…first the programs you can easily remove without any problems; second, the programs you can think about removing or delaying from the startup sequence; and finally those programs you can do nothing about.

Besides telling you what each program is from all three sections, it also tells you the actual time it takes for each program to load and in many cases, recommends what you should do. Then, you have the option of removing it from the boot sequence…or having it load later after booting is complete. This later option is unique to Soluto and makes the program a necessary addition to your computer.

You may have noticed that your computer boot time has gotten longer and longer since the day you brought your computer home. That is because all of us add new programs to our systems. Many of these new programs add additional items to your boot sequence without your knowledge, thereby increasing the boot time. Soluto puts you in the picture and lets you decide what you need and don’t need.

I used it on my three active computers and was able to shave a minimum of 30 seconds of my boot time. On my desktop, I actually knocked off a minute and a half, without losing any vital functionality. I love this program and heartily recommend you download it from their Web site. Also, there is a one minute and a four minute video you should watch to get a full explanation of the power of Soluto.

The good folks at Soluto call it, “Anti Frustration Software.” I agree that is exactly what it is! So download it today…I know you will thank me.

Get a Free Audio Book from Audible–No Strings

FREE Audiobook Giveaway at Audible.com

Audible is giving away a free audio book with no strings attached until July 2. No credit card is required. Choose from many great titles.

Is Google Gunning for Facebook with 'Google Me'?

Rumors have it that Google is building its own social networking site named "Google Me" that may be the company's attempt to unseat Facebook. Is it possible for the world's most popular search engine to wage war against the world's most popular social networking site? If speculations are true, there's a chance.

An iPhone wish list looks more like an Android feature list

What do iPhone users want most? According to the results of a survey released today, the top four things that U.S. iPhone users want most are already available from Google’s Android.

Office 2010 reduces ribbon pain

The ribbon UI introduced in Office 2007 met with rejection, dejection, and outright mutiny. Be of good cheer: Office 2010 isn't bad

Turn a USB Flash Drive Into Extra Virtual RAM

It's not hard to turn an extra USB stick lying around that's collecting dust into extra memory for your computer, allowing it to run speedier and manage more applications better.

New Microsoft Live Essentials Beta Now Available

Microsoft's Free Windows Live Essentials Beta Debuts

The new Windows Live Essentials beta will be available for public testing starting Thursday, according to Microsoft. A collection of free Web-oriented applications and services for Windows Vista and Windows 7 PCs.

First Look at Windows Live Essential Beta's New Social Features

Yesterday, Microsoft dropped the new Windows Live Essentials beta, adding tons of new publishing and web service options to their suite of consumer desktop applications. Here's a look what's changed in the beta and how the new apps stack up.

SkyDrive takes on the online-storage arena

Office 2010 marked Microsoft's aggressive entrance into the cloud-computing arena, and Sky Drive is a key component of the company's move to online services. Part of the new Windows Live service, SkyDrive offers generous (25GB) — and free — online data storage and simple collaboration.

Apple: Don't hold your iPhone 4 that way

Now that the iPhone 4 has been out for more than a day (at least in some parts of the world), it’s only logical that a number of bugs have popped up. It seems the biggest one has to do with reception. Apple’s response? It’s you’re probably holding the phone the wrong way.

Barnes & Noble Nook (Wi-Fi) E-Book reader review

For the moment, the Wi-Fi-only version of the Barnes & Noble Nook is the best e-reader you can buy for less than $150.

Big Numbers for Microsoft and Apple

Apple: 3 million iPads sold in 80 days

For those keeping score at home, that's 3 million in 80 days, and 1 million sold in the last 20 days alone. Apple announced after 60 days that it had sold 2 million of the touch-screen tablets. It took Apple 28 days to sell the first million.

150 Million Windows 7 Licenses Sold - 7 Copies A Second

Microsoft announced the incredible milestone on their Windows Team Blog, those 150 million sales figures, translate into approximately 7 copies of Windows 7 being sold each second! Oh the Irony! Windows 7 reached the 100 million mark only 2 months ago, so it appears sales are really beginning to pick up big time now for Microsoft.

How HTML5 will change the Web

HTML5 will spawn richer, more sophisticated Websites while also easing development. Here are nine ways the impact of HTML5 will be felt.

Google Voice Open To All

Google on Tuesday said that Google Voice, its online voicemail and telecommunications service, is now open to everyone in the U.S. Launched in March 2009, Google Voice was previously available through invitation only.

A collection of alternative Web browsers trying to hold their own

Whether you are creating your own gaming Web site or simply checking out the latest Buzz Out Loud, trying to choose one of the dozens of Web browsers out there can be a massive waste of time. Among the big five of Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome, Safari, and Opera, there are still more than a dozen second-tier Web browsers that are trying to make a splash in cyberspace.

All the Microsoft Software You Can Eat for $199

I have three computers I currently use and I want to put Office Professional 2010 on all three…Price is $499 each so that is $1,500. I also want to put Windows 7 on my one laptop still running XP.  Price for Windows 7 Ultimate: $219. So that comes to over $1,700 for my purchases.

Except, I can now get all of these and more for $199 by joining Microsoft’s TechNet.  TechNet has been around for a while and it is for computer professionals and other folks who are into computers.  The Professional version of TechNet is $349 for the first year.  But just last week, Microsoft introduced the Standard Subscription for just $199 for the first year and $149 for every year after that if you wish to retain your membership.

But understand this…if you choose not to renew, your software does not expire, even if your membership does. Almost all Microsoft products are available to you with your membership at no additional cost.  Want Windows Home Server? It is there for you.

You are allowed 10 downloads of each product (only 2 for Home Server)…but since there are 3 versions of Office 2010, that means you can download 30 copies.  There are 10 versions of Windows 7 which means you can have up to 100 copies!  All for one low price of $199.  That is quite a bargain.

There are some restrictions, the main one being they can only be installed on your own computers at work or home, and you can’t run a business on them…they are for your evaluation of Microsoft software.

For more information, I recommend you read Paul Thurrott’s excellent article on the subject from his WinSuperSite blog…or just go direct to the Microsoft TechNet Website.  I am joining… are you?

PS: If you are not sure if you you want Office 2010, you can download a 60 day trial copy of it direct from Microsoft and see if it is worth it for you. I did and I really like it.  There are also some excellent tutorials of each of the Office products that are worth doing if you are considering a purchase.

The E-Book Reader Wars Escalate: Prices Crash

Barnes & Noble Offers Wi-Fi nook, Lowers 3G Price

Barnes & Noble is offering a Wi-Fi version of its nook e-reader for $149 and has lowered the price of the 3G nook to $199. A new software version for Barnes & Noble's nook also offers an "extra extra large" font size and the ability to jump to a specific page. Barnes & Noble is also emphasizing a lending option for nook e-books.

Amazon drops Kindle price to $189

Yes, the e-reader pricing wars are in full swing as Amazon has trimmed the price of the Kindle from $259 to $189. In case you're keeping score, that number is a whole $10 less than what Barnes & Noble is charging for the Nook 3G (with WiFi).

How to Rescue a Crashed PC

There's crashed... and then there's crashed. Here's the gamut of solutions for recovering your data and, perhaps, your whole system before it's too late.

Manage and Edit Photos Like a Pro

You've outgrown Picasa and iPhoto, so, what next? These pro-level photo workflow applications give photographers a way to organize and optimize large collections of images.

How to Improve Your Security When Using a Public Terminal

Using a hotel computer, one in an internet cafe or airport is a risky business. Public terminals are fine for general browsing and even (with a few precautions) collecting your email but when it comes to logging in to your bank account or making an online purchase they really should be avoided. We all know that but life doesn't always allow us to follow the rules; sometimes we simply have to use a public terminal to conduct a confidential transaction.

The Joys of InstaPaper

Ever browse the Web and discover interesting stories that you don’t have time to read? Happens to me all the time. I love to read but don’t always have time for it when I find those interesting articles.  And some are just exceedingly long and, to be honest, I don’t like reading long articles at my computer…although I’ve done it from time to time. Sound familiar?

Enter InstaPaper. This excellent Web site will save those long articles for you so you can read them later. After you join (free, of course), there is a “Read Later” button that you just drag up to the tool bar on your browser and it is installed. When you find an article you wish to read later, just click your button and it is saved for you.  Just keep clicking that button whenever you want and the stories will be added to your list.

When you are ready, go to the InstaPaper Web site to see your list. Click the “Unread” link on their site and your list pops right up.  Click on an article you want to read, and away you go. You can read the original article on the Web site, or just click the text only button to see it without all the other stuff on the web page.

But wait, there’s more. As I mentioned above, I don’t like reading long articles on my computer…I would much rather read it on my Kindle.  Much, much easier to read and I can do it anywhere, including out by the pool or in bed. With InstaPaper, I can do this. 

There is a button for the Kindle (and for other e-readers that use the EPub format). Just click it and your saved articles are downloaded to the electronic reader software on your computer (such as “Kindle for the PC”, or my favorite, “Calibre”). From that point, I just connect my Kindle to my computer via a USB cable and Calibre loads it on to my Kindle. Works like a charm. You can also load these articles on to your iPad, iPhone, Nook or any other e-reader.  And, happily, everything described here is FREE (except for the e-readers, of course).

Another feature of InstaPaper is they have a list of suggested articles on their Website that you might find interesting and you can grab those just as easily. For additional suggested articles that can also be saved to InstaPaper, checkout Longform.org.  Happy reading!!

Windows XP Users Vulnerable to Major Attack

Windows XP zero-day under attack; Use Microsoft's "fix-it" workaround

Just five days after Google researcher Tavis Ormandy released details of a critical vulnerability affecting Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, malware authors have struck, exploiting the flaw to plant malware on Windows machines.

Review: Microsoft Office Web Apps: Limited, mediocre, dismal

Is the era of desktop software over? With the general release of Office 2010 this week, Microsoft seems to be sending a mixed message. On the one hand, Office 2010 is the slickest, most feature-rich version of the suite to date. That's a clear challenge to Google, which offers a simpler, Web-based alternative to Office in the form of Google Docs. On the other hand, the simultaneous release of the Office 2010 Web Apps seems to vindicate Google's strategy by duplicating Office functionality on the Web. So which is it?

Office Starter 2010 drops the crapware, adds ads

The one Office 2010 version you probably haven’t seen is the elusive Starter edition. Microsoft hasn’t made review copies available to the press, but they did make the software available last week to partners who want to preinstall Office on new PCs for sale with Windows 7. I’ve had a chance to test a couple of new PCs with Office preinstalled. Here’s what you’ll see if you buy a new PC with this Office edition included.

Twitter: Sorry, but outages come with bigger improvement plan

There’s an old saying among traffic engineers about the traffic jams created by road construction projects that are intended to actually ease backups: “It’s gotta get worse before it can get better.” These days, that seems to also be the rule of thumb at Twitter.

Free Nitro PDF Reader Blows Away the Competition

Nitro PDF Reader (free) is the most powerful free PDF reading and creation tool you can find, performing many tasks usually only available in for-pay PDF tools. As a PDF reader, it's lighting fast.

Free WiFi Coming to Starbucks

Starbucks To Offer Free Wi-Fi at 6,700 U.S. Sites

Starbucks will be serving up a hot new treat: free Wi-Fi service at more than 6,700 locations. The move comes six months after Starbucks' competitor McDonald's began offering free Wi-Fi at 11,500 U.S. locations, along with a revamped coffee lineup. Starbucks also said customers will get free access to online content through its Wi-Fi.

Microsoft's Kinect for Xbox 360 at a glance

Kinect, which was formerly known by its code name Project Natal, is a motion control system that sits between the user and their Xbox and TV. The special sauce of the system is that it can both sense motion in 3D using 3D depth sensors and recognize user's speech, via a multi-array microphone. That means that it can react both to what a user does with any part of their body, and to their spoken commands. As a result, users can activate Kinect by waving their hand, and get things like game and movie playback to stop, pause, or resume with nothing more than a voice command.

FIFA World Cup 2010—3D, HDTV, Cell Phone & Web Viewer's Guide

We've compiled the best ways for all you soccer (football) fanatics to watch, listen or track all of the FIFA World Cup 2010 action—whether you're watching online, on your TV, using your phone, or something else.

12 Tips to Speed Up Windows 7 Tips, Solutions & How Tos

Sure, Windows 7 is much faster than slowpoke Vista, but there's still room for improvement. Here are a dozen tricks to that can make Windows 7 faster.

How To Permanently Delete Your Account on Popular Websites

We all have an increasing number of sites and online services we’re members of, and sometimes it all gets a little overwhelming. At times, we just need to delete our memberships to some sites, either in an effort to simplify our lives or just because we’ve grown tired of a particular site or service. What we often don’t realize when signing up for all these accounts, though, is how difficult it can be to permanently delete our accounts when we’ve had enough. Some require complicated, multi-step processes that can stretch over the course of days (or weeks). Others take less time, but still require multiple steps by the user.

Hackers Get Personal Data from 114,000 iPad Users

AT&T Web site exposes data of 114,000 iPad users

A group of hackers exploited a hole in an AT&T Web site to get e-mail addresses of about 114,000 iPad users, including what appears to be top officials in government, finance, media, technology, and military. The leak could have affected all iPad 3G subscribers in the U.S., according to Gawker, which broke the story on Wednesday. Among the iPad users who appeared to have been affected were White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, journalist Diane Sawyer, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, movie producer Harvey Weinstein, and New York Times CEO Janet Robinson.

Suicide, stupidity, and the iPhone

iPhones are made in a Chinese factory where conditions are so bleak workers throw themselves out the window in despair. In central Africa, the mining of coltan, tungsten, and other minerals crucial to the manufacture of cell phones has fueled a series of bloody civil wars. And did I mention that smartphone users kill themselves and others by driving while talking and texting, and even those who don't risk shortening their attention span to that of a mosquito?

Microsoft Offers Web-based Office Applications for Free

Microsoft has quietly launched the beta version of its own free online suite of office programs. Called “Office Web Apps” it offers free online versions of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft OneNote. Even better they are giving users 25 GB of free online storage to store their documents on Microsoft’s SkyDrive service.

What’s the Difference Between Viruses, Trojans, Worms, and Other Malware?

How much do you really know about viruses, spyware, scareware, trojans, and worms? Here's a helpful guide to understanding all the different types of malware.

Little-known beta apps enhance Gmail's usability

While there's much to like about Gmail, there's also much that's missing — such as multiple signatures, hierarchical tags, and the ability to embed pictures as part of your mail. You might be surprised to learn that Gmail actually does support those features, and about 50 more, in a beta program called Gmail Labs.

Google’s New Search and OneNote Make Their Web Debuts

Google's new search index Caffeine goes live

Google has finally released the awaited update to its search indexing technology, providing a jolt of Caffeine to the search industry. The company announced the release of its Caffeine indexing technology--which it has been testing for almost a year--in a blog post late Tuesday evening. "Caffeine provides 50 percent fresher results for web searches than our last index, and it's the largest collection of web content we've offered."

The OneNote Web App is Here

Like its Word, Excel, and PowerPoint counterparts, the OneNote Web App extends your Microsoft Office 2010 experience to the Web browser, where you can work with your notes, files, and documents in a central location that you can access from anywhere. You can use the OneNote Web App with a free Windows Live (a.k.a. SkyDrive) account or on a SharePoint 2010 site in your organization.

Lightroom 3 gets new core, features

Adobe Systems plans to release Photoshop Lightroom 3 late Monday, swapping in a new engine and bolting some significant new photography extras onto a user interface that largely remains the same.

Fixing the Internet would be easy -- if we tried

There's no escaping the fact that the Internet is a dangerous place, rife with malware and security holes that expose individuals and businesses to millions of dollars in losses to cyber criminals every day. Making the Internet safer should be a high priority throughout the world. Moreover, it wouldn't even be all that difficult, if the right people were to gather in a room to tackle the problem

SUPERAntiSpyware Portable Scanner

SuperAntiSpyware is a program that augments anti-virus programs like Microsoft Security Essentials. It is free and works very well. I’ve used it in my computer for some time. This new version works on a USB stick so I no longer have to have the program running in my Startup, saving memory. Give it a try.

Apple Unveils the New iPhone 4

iPhone 4 unveiled: gets HD video, LED flash, dual cameras

During a keynote address at WWDC today, Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced the next revision of the company's iconic iPhone hardware. Dubbed "iPhone 4," Jobs called the new iPhone model "the biggest leap since the original iPhone." He said that the new device has over 100 new features, but he detailed just eight of them during his presentation.

Adobe Warns of Critical Risks for Flash & Acrobat

Trouble's looming out there, says Adobe, in the form of a critical vulnerability that can cause your computer to crash or allow an attacker to take control of your system. The Adobe warning comes as no surprise. Symantec recently predicted that Adobe software, especially Acrobat Reader and Flash, will take top spot as a target for cybercriminals.

Panda adds heft to its Cloud AV

Exclusively available today from CNET Download.com, Cloud Antivirus 1.1 now more closely resembles a traditional antivirus program, at least in features offered, and includes a behavioral blocking engine that can protect users against generic nonbrowser exploits, new configuration options, and default deactivation of autorun in Windows.

How-To Photograph Tips: Summer Edition Round-Up

It’s finally summertime! So it’s time to break out that dusty digital SLR or point-and-shoot camera and hit the outdoors. There are plenty of lovely subjects to photograph outside, but sometimes there are some summery weather aspects that actually get in the way (i.e. bright sunlight). Here’s a round-up of some of our past how-to guides that could help while on your vacation photo shoots or at that Fourth of July barbecue.

Wallpaper Master - Freeware! Keeping your desktop fresh everyday.

Wallpaper Master is a powerful and highly customizable desktop wallpaper manager and cycler. It will automatically change your background wallpaper with a huge range of options, and is great for indexing large collections of personal photos or any kind of image.

So, Who Has the Fastest Mobile Network?

The Fastest Mobile Networks 2010

This is it, the story you've been waiting for; the one that will tell you if your mobile network is delivering high-quality fast data speeds you've been craving. PCMag sent a team across the U.S. to test mobile broadband (3G and 4G) speeds in 18 cities. The results of this exhaustive report may surprise you.

Microsoft unveils Windows Live Essentials Wave 4

After unveiling what's next for the most popular Windows Live client application, Messenger, and the most popular Windows Live web service, Hotmail, Microsoft is now ready to zero in on (most of) the remaining client applications in the Windows Live Essentials suite.

Patch Tuesday heads-up: 10 bulletins, 34 flaws

Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday this month will be a big one: 10 bulletins fixing 34 vulnerabilities in Windows, Office and Internet Explorer. Three of the 10 bulletins will be rated “critical,” Microsoft’s highest severity rating.

Five small and essential apps to armor your PC

Firewalls and antivirus programs can't do all the work of safe computing — small, targeted utility apps that encrypt your files, keep your passwords safe, and clean up your PC add to your protection. I have five of these small security apps that I wouldn't want to do without. Chances are you could use them, too; if not now, then someday. What's even better — they're free.

10 useful Firefox-based apps

Here are 10 useful desktop programs that run on the open-source Web browser's native technology. All of these applications are free for you to download and use -- and only one is a Web browser.

How One Publisher is Screwing E-Book Readers

Penguin Group Declares War on Kindle Owners

Penguin Group Declares War on Kindle Owners with Bizarre Array of Exorbitant and Nonsensical Kindle Store Prices; Some Are 200-300% Higher; Many Exceed Paperback Prices.

Keep tabs on what Google knows about you

To view the information Google's servers store about you (or at least the amount the company is willing to fess up to storing), sign in to your Google account and scroll through the Google Dashboard.

New AT&T data plans for iPhones, iPads, more

AT&T has announced a new set of data plans, starting Monday, for smartphones and tablets (read: iPads) that appear to come cheaper than current plans. Although the changes might leave some people scratching their heads, I see more to like than dislike--such as iPhone tethering.

Netbooks vs. Tablets: How to Decide

Laptops and netbooks are optimized for content creation. But in any given day, content creation only takes up 25 percent of the time most people spend on computers. The other 75 percent is spent consuming content.

Best Free PDF Tools

Learn more about PDF creators and software that converts PDF files to other media. In this review, programs designed to combine merging, splitting and other capabilities in a single application are discussed under General Tools. Those designed for a more specific task are grouped under Specific Tools.

Hey Yahoo E-Mail Clients – A Surprise is Coming Your Way

Yahoo to turn subscribers' e-mail contact lists into social networking base

Over the next few weeks, its 280 million e-mail users will be able to exchange comments, pictures and news articles with others in their address books. The program won't expose a user's contact list to the public, as was done by Google through its social networking application, Buzz. But unless a user proactively opts out of the program, those Yahoo e-mail subscribers will automatically be part of a sweeping rollout of features that will incorporate the kinds of sharing done on sites such as Facebook and MySpace.

Navigate Facebook's new privacy paradigm

Once again, Facebook has changed its privacy settings. Like the last time this happened, today's improvements are still a mixed bag, but a better one: they are generally easier to use but not as simple as they could be. There are a couple of curve balls thrown in, too.

Old Computers Can Have New Uses

Windows 7 has ushered in a wave of new computer purchases, but that doesn't mean old machines should be dumped. A variety of new uses can create new life for your old machine. Creating a Windows Home Server or a software test bed are options. And, if you ever wanted to experiment with Linux, there's no better way than using an old computer.

Easy Online Backup Roundup

Backup that saves your files off-site is one cloud computing service everyone should consider. Here are a handful of our most recent online backup reviews.

Lifehacker Pack 2010: Our List of Essential Windows Downloads

We feature hundreds of different downloads every year at Lifehacker. If all you want is the best of the best, look no further than our annual Lifehacker Pack: One download that installs only our favorite, must-have Windows applications in a few clicks.

Bad News For Cell Phone Carriers…and Microsoft

FCC takes aim at the wireless industry

The Federal Communications Commission, which has been taking a beating on proposed Net neutrality regulations, is lacing up the gloves again, this time to do battle with wireless carriers. While more than a few of the wireless carriers are the same companies going toe-to-toe with FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski over Net neutrality, the latest scrap is over a very different issue: billing. More specifically, those shocking bills consumers say they get from time to time from their wireless providers.

Apple passes Microsoft in valuation

Apple has passed Microsoft in terms of market capitalization, with a value of roughly $222 billion--about $3 billion ahead of Microsoft. Apple had been flirting with the milestone for days and had already passed Microsoft by another measure--a valuation known as enterprise value, which adds in debt and other factors. The fact that Apple, not Microsoft, is the more valuable franchise represents a remarkable turn of events in the history of computing.

Going green with Win7 is harder than it looks

Trying to consume less energy in a home office by putting workstations to sleep automatically seemed like the right thing to do. But when two Windows 7 PCs developed insomnia, returning them to a greener state let me discover some interesting tricks and tips.

Why iPad owners need a Kindle, too

Got an iPad? Don't sell your Kindle. Each does what the other doesn't. Together, they're a total e-book solution

Google Chrome 5 - Full Review

The overriding philosophy of Google's Chrome browser can be summed up in one word: speed. I'm not just talking about its surfing speed (more on this later), but also the speed at which new versions come out.

Updates on Google and Facebook Privacy

Facebook unveils simpler privacy controls to spur sharing

Facebook simplified privacy settings on Wednesday in response to sustained criticism over previous changes that has reached a crescendo in recent weeks. The changes introduce a one-click control for content. Users can choose to share content on Facebook with friends, friends of friends, or everyone. The social network has retained granular controls for those who want to customise these settings, with controls moved over onto a single page.

A Matter of Trust: 10 Places Google Collects User Data From

By now, everyone in the tech world and beyond has heard about Google’s data collection from unsecured Wi-Fi networks in Germany. What you may not have known, however, is that Google has been collecting detailed user data since day one. Why? Essentially, as market research, which is then used to enhance their services. While the improvements that come as a result of Google’s data collection may benefit us all, it does come at a cost.

Why Windows 7 'slate' tablets won't happen

The quiet disappearance of the HP Slate -- Microsoft's great tablet hope -- shows that dream has died

16 Awesome Wi-Fi Devices for Your Network

Everybody loves the unfettered access to the Internet that they get from a wireless network. That said, if your Wi-Fi network consists of nothing more than a laptop and, maybe, a phone, you're really missing out. There are all kinds of cool tech devices that can take advantage of that connection—everything from Blu-ray players to digital photo frames to ebook readers.

IObit Uninstaller Removes Annoying Browser Toolbars

Windows only: Freeware software IObit Uninstaller removes multiple applications at once, scans the registry for leftovers, and also removes annoying browser toolbars with a single click.

Facebook Says - “We Screwed Up”

Facebook boss admits privacy 'errors' and promises revamp

Facebook boss Mark 'I'm CEO… bitch' Zuckerberg is seeking to soften user anger over privacy erosion with an admission that the social networking site has made some mistakes. Using an op-ed piece in Monday's Washington Post as a soapbox, Zuckerberg has promised to simplify the site's increasingly complex privacy controls and allow users to opt out of third-party services.

Deleting your Facebook account (FAQ)

Leaving Facebook can be almost as confusing as navigating the privacy backwaters on the site. This New York Times graphic shows that there are 50 settings and more than 170 options to managing the privacy of a Facebook account. Here are some tips on deleting your account and answers to questions about what that means for your data, and more.

AT&T, Verizon dominate wireless... Is it time to regulate?

The government's latest annual report on the state of mobile wireless competition is out, and its conclusions are not what the wireless sector wanted to hear. Over the last half-decade, concentration in the industry has gone up—way up, in fact.

Pandigital's new $200 Novel color e-reader is powered by Android and Barnes & Noble

If you know Pandigital, you probably know it for its photo frames. But now the company is moving into the hot e-reader market with a device that a lot of people have been waiting for: an affordable color screen e-reader that also has ties to a major bookseller.

FastStone Photo Resizer Free

Like its sibling Faststone Image Viewer (also free), FastStone Photo Resizer is modestly named: It does a lot more than just resize photos. Plug in a batch of image files and you can do any or all of the following: rename them, rotate them, convert them to different image formats, turn them all to black-and-white or sepia, add watermark images or text, add borders, tweak their colors, and of course resize them.

Google Keeping Busy

Google Wave: Now open to the public

Google Wave, a Web-based tool to let people chat and collaborate in real time, is now open to the public.

Google Unveils Google TV With Sony, Logitech, Intel as Partners

Google took a step into the world of television Thursday with the introduction of Google TV, an Internet-enabled TV platform that will be available this fall in devices from Sony and Logitech. Sony will sell HDTVs and Blu-ray players with Google TV capabilities, while Logitech will sell a companion box that can be hooked into existing hardware. It will also be integrated into the DISH network.

Google Docs (2010) - Full Review

Let's face it, Google Docs isn't nearly as powerful as Microsoft office 2010. When you think about it, why should it be? Many people don't need that kind of power. Instead, they need the ease of use and easy access found in Google's still young suite of cloud-based productivity apps. Google's made some significant updates so we thought it was time to take another close look. For the most part, we like what we see.

Checking in on Saturn

Some absolutely amazing photos of Saturn and its moons taken by the Cassini Spacecraft now orbiting Saturn. These are closeups of the Saturnian system and will amaze you with their depth and clarity.

TackyNotes 1.1 - Free

TackyNotes allows you to create sticky notes on any website in much the same manner as you might put a sticky note on a document.

Anger over Facebook Privacy Continues

Quit Facebook Day is May 31

Could a mass exodus of Facebook users be on the horizon? It’s no secret that there’s a growing contingent of Facebook users who are becoming increasingly fed up with the world’s largest social network’s approach to privacy and the way it safeguards the personal information of its 400 million users. Now, it appears that anger has boiled over for some users, resulting in an online campaign started by Toronto men Matthew Milan and Joseph Dee, imploring Facebook users to permanently delete their Facebook accounts.

Apps emerge to reset Facebook privacy settings

New third-party applications are trying to make it easier to reset Facebook privacy settings, following recent changes from the company that make a sizable chunk of profile content public by default when it was once under lock and key.

Windows Live Hotmail - Full Preview

Hotmail remains the second most popular webmail service after Yahoo Mail (with Gmail nipping at Microsoft's heels), according to the latest numbers from Hitwise. But Microsoft isn't content to maintain the status quo; Redmond has added a number of big changes aimed at giving Hotmail a competitive edge.

Android-based Google TV coming to living rooms this fall

Up front, Google TV will come either in the form of a set-top box or will be built into certain TVs (launch partners include Intel, Sony, and Logitech). The OS is based on Android and the built-in browser is a version of Google Chrome with the Flash 10.1 plugin.

Give Windows 7 a Facelift

You might like the look of Windows, but you can make it even snazzier with any or all of these software enhancements.

New Tech Stuff Coming Your Way Soon

Firefox 4 release plan: The need for speed

Mozilla hopes to release Firefox 4 in October or November, a new version that has speed among its top goals. Among other features planned for Firefox 4--and Mozilla emphatically cautions that plans can change--are support for high-speed graphics and text through Direct2D on Windows; a tidier user interface with more prominent and powerful tabs; support for several newer Web technologies; 64-bit versions; and compatibility with multi-touch interfaces. 

Microsoft's new Hotmail takes aim at Google

A key feature in the coming update to Windows Live Hotmail is an improved ability to share photos and Office documents using a combination of Web-based editing tools and cloud file storage. The new version, which will begin being offered to most users in July or August, aims to offer a better alternative to the standard attachment. Instead, Hotmail will offer the option of uploading a file or photo to Microsoft's SkyDrive service and e-mailing a link, as opposed to the file itself.

Borders Offers Kobo E-Reader

At $150, Kobo is the cheapest e-reader yet that’s backed by a big brand, and it will start shipping in June.

Peer inside Microsoft Office 2010

Microsoft Office 2010 is a breath away from hitting the shelves--and likely your computer. Here is a collection of screenshots showing the important new features in this productivity suite.

Clean Up Your Photo Collection with Free Tools

You've taken digital pictures for years across multiple systems and camera upgrades, and now your collection is a mess. These free tools and techniques will fix your photos' metadata, weed out duplicates, reorganize folders, and otherwise whip your digital photos into shape.

Everything You Need to Know About Tech – for Today Anyway

New findings update WS Security Baseline

Our monthly update of the Windows Secrets Security Baseline focuses on malware suites — all-in-one commercial packages that fight viruses, spam, spyware, and malware that's still unknown — plus suites you assemble yourself. If you want to know which might be the best malware package to use, here is a roundup of reviews of the best known ones. Decide for yourself.

How secure is Flash? Here's what Adobe won't tell you

One of the key issues in this discussion is security. Yesterday, I rattled off some disturbing statistics about vulnerabilities in Flash Player and asked Adobe, “So, how are you planning to convince us that you’ve gotten serious about security? No one from Adobe has gotten back to me on that one.

Office Live Workspace Accounts to Be Upgraded

Microsoft notified customers Friday  (including me) that it will soon be upgrading Microsoft Office Live Workspace accounts to its SkyDrive service (25Gb of free on-line backup).

Size of the data universe: 1.2 zettabytes and growing fast

IDC has just released estimates that this year, the Digital Universe — meaning every electronically stored piece of data or file out there — will reach 1.2 million petabytes, or 1.2 zettabytes, this year. That’s up from a measly 800,000 petabytes in 2009.

The Power User's Guide to the Windows 7 Taskbar

It seems like every week we learn about a new tip to enhance the Windows 7 taskbar, and it's hard to keep them all straight. Here's the complete power user's guide to tweaking and using your taskbar like a pro.

Can Blurry Photos be Saved?

Handheld Devices: Brace for a Torrent of Tablets

Apple's iPad may own almost all the tablet buzz for now, but look for competitors to come out swinging over the next few months. Intel has a project in the works; RIM is reportedly developing a tablet of its own, and the HP Slate we saw at CES this year may be reborn as a tablet touting webOS, the operating system made by Palm, which HP has agreed to buy.

Wal-Mart tries to close gadget gap with Best Buy

Sometime early next week when you walk into the electronics section of your local Wal-Mart, you're likely to notice some changes. More big name brands of TVs, Blu-ray players, smartphones, and other gadgets will begin to populate the store shelves as the retailing giant tries to expand its reach and customer base even further.

Facebook's follies: A brief history

Let's take a look at some of Facebook's notorious and not-so-notorious misfires over the years, and its subsequent attempts to patch them up. It all starts, really, even before Facebook itself did.

Google Editions Could Have 4 Million E-Books

OK, 4 million titles is impressive -- but am I the only one confused about what exactly Google Editions is?

Fix Blurred Photos with Free Software

Every photographer knows the disappointment of taking a great photograph only to find the picture was ruined by camera shake or the subject moving. Such photographs cannot be brought back to crisp focus but they can be improved using software that employs an advanced mathematical technique called deconvolution to try to undo the blur.

It’s Microsoft’s Turn to Shine

Microsoft unveils Office 2010

Microsoft is going after the corporate customer with its new Office 2010. But the company is also giving some goodies away for free to consumers and mobile users, who will gain a new level of access to its Office and Sharepoint products.

OpenOffice is dead

For users who don’t need Office, it’s a rare occasion that Google Docs doesn’t suffice. And yet for those who need Office, it’s rare that they’re happy with OpenOffice. Where does that leave OO.org?

All-new Hotmail to take on Gmail next Monday

Next week, Microsoft will unleash a new version of its category-leading Hotmail email service that carries the fight against Google from corporate IT departments onto the screens of the hundreds of millions of lone users and small teams who swear by Gmail.

Review: Droid Incredible Lives Up to Its Name

HTC's Droid Incredible offers some significant improvements over the Nexus One: The Incredible comes with HTC's Sense interface, which helps organize the phone's home screens. It also has an eight-megapixel camera, a respectable eight gigabytes of storage, and, perhaps most importantly, the Incredible runs on the Verizon network.

Yadis! Backup Freeware download and review

Yadis! Backup is an easy-to-use backup program that can perform automatic backups of your important files. The program will continuously monitor your selected folders and backup any files in real-time as soon as they are added or changed.

A New Faster Firefox Coming?

Mozilla Outlines Plans for Firefox 4 To Overtake Chrome

Mozilla has outlined ambitious plans for Firefox 4 to catch up to Google's speedy Chrome browser. As Microsoft's Internet Explorer loses market share, Chrome has been picking up the share that used to go to Firefox. Chrome has jumped to 6.7 percent of the browser market as IE hit a 12-month low of 59.95 percent and Firefox held steady at 23.8 percent.

UPDATE - New attack bypasses EVERY Windows security product

Are you a Windows user? Do you make sure that your antivirus program is updated regularly? Do you feel safe? You shouldn’t! Read on to find out why …

Major University Dumps Gmail Over Security Concerns

The University of California, Davis has stopped using Gmail for its 30,000-member staff and faculty body. The university was trying Gmail for faculty and staff with plans to roll out service to the entire campus. But school officials say the e-mail system isn’t secure or private enough to meet their standards.

Amid backlash, Facebook tries to save face

Facebook's latest modifications make it pretty clear that the company is eager to spread its brand even further across the Web--and that's left some privacy advocates a little freaked out as they look at the vast amount of personal information that Facebook has on hand.

Free remote access tools for Windows and Mac

The best free tools combine firewall friendliness with easy remote access and an amazing array of handy features

The Dangers of Using FaceBook and Solving Them

Five hidden dangers of Facebook (Q&A)

Facebook claims that it has 400 million users. But are they well-protected from prying eyes, scammers, and unwanted marketers? Not according to Joan Goodchild, senior editor of CSO (Chief Security Officer) Online. She says your privacy may be at far greater risk of being violated than you know, when you log onto the social-networking site, due to security gaffes or marketing efforts by the company.

Lock Down Your FaceBook Profile in 20 Minutes (Video)

Here is a 20 minute video which guides you through the process of locking down a typical FaceBook account for increased privacy and user security.

Sorry, But the iPad is Not 'Killing' Netbook Sales

Hopefully by now, most readers of this site understand how the tech world works: Apple releases a successful product (the iPad) but it suddenly becomes The Second Coming (tm). So much so that Fortune's web-based Mac blog, Apple 2.0, has suddenly decided that--get this--the iPad is "killing" the netbook. Only in the reality distortion field could such nonsense pass as truth. Here's the silliness:

Borders Enters Hot & Heavy E-Book Market with Kobo

The new Kobo e-book reader from Borders bookstores may be an attractive alternative for those scared off by the high price of Amazon's Kindle. But buyer beware: you'll need to hook up the Kobo to a PC each time you want to download more titles. That Kobo feature may be a turn-off for some.

This Free WiFi Network Finder is Easy to Use and Very Powerful

Is your WiFi running slowly? Do you sometimes lose your connection? In many cases, the problem arises because another nearby wireless LAN is configured to use the same channel as yours, and the signals are overlapping. Changing the channel is easy. Just log into your router, go to the WiFi setup screen, and pick a number. But what number to use? For that, you'll need to know which networks are already operating nearby, and what channel they're set to.

More on Keeping Safe in Facebook

How to Keep Your Privacy Safe(r) on Facebook

I'm not ready to give up on Facebook yet, like my friend Jason Perlow, but I can understand why he's sick to death of it. The simple truth is that Facebook takes lousy care of your personal information and is happy to sell it to advertisers at the drop of a hat.

FCC details plan to reassert authority over Internet

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday detailed plans for its so-called "third way" to reclassify broadband service as a telecommunications service, which would help the agency reassert its authority for regulating the Internet, after it lost an important legal battle last month.

Microsoft Readies for Light May Patch Tuesday

Microsoft recommends customers prepare for the testing and deployment of both bulletins as soon as possible. Microsoft expects that the patch for Windows will require a restart, and warned that the Office patch may potentially require one as well.

Voyager 2 stops making sense

Voyager 2, which has been traveling through the solar system since the late '70s, has suffered a data formatting glitch that is preventing NASA from interpreting the content of its scientific data transmissions. Control and diagnostic transmissions are unaffected, which should enable the engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to troubleshoot the problem, provided they're patient—it currently takes nearly 13 hours for transmissions from Earth to catch up with the probe.

VoxOx 2.0.6.2421 (Windows) Free

VoxOx by TelCentris is the only service that unifies all of your communication channels voice, video, IM, text, social media, e-mail, fax and content sharing into a single, intuitive interface, giving you full control of your interconnected lifestyle.

Is Facebook Endangering Your Privacy?

Does Facebook Show Contempt for User Privacy?

It's astonishing how much data Facebook considers "public." Facebook considers itself free to share with marketing partners not just your name and picture, but your city, gender, networks, complete list of friends, likes and interests, and profile information such as where you grew up, where you went to school and where you've worked.

Google's search results get much-needed makeover

Google is revamping its search results page in order to offer easier and clearer access to the different kinds of content searches turn up. Don't worry: it looks as if Google will remain clean and easy to navigate, but the tweaks will spruce up the look and feel while helping users find what they're looking for.

Browser Battle Between Microsoft and Google Intensifies

Having speed and support is great for consumers, but one major feature that is a must is browser security. Versions of Google Chrome have had great success so far, while several early versions of Internet Explorer have been taken down by hackers. Microsoft has stepped up its security efforts with more recent versions. On a personal note, I find myself using Chrome more and more every day. It is missing some key plug-ins that are in Firefox...but if they show up in Chrome, I might just switch.

The 120-day Microsoft security suite test drive

Four months ago, I decided to look into a new option: the recently released Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) — the company's first antivirus and anti-malware application. (MSE is available as a free download from the product's info page.) So far, my real-life test drive indicates that Microsoft may have finally got basic security right.

How to get Office 2010 at a rock-bottom price

If you’re considering an Office 2010 upgrade, be sure you learn the lesson of Windows 7. Microsoft offers its best prices to early adopters. Those who wait pay more.

Update on the World of E-Books + More

Customer service survey puts AT&T at bottom of carrier heap

The words "mobile carrier" and "customer satisfaction" aren't often used in the same sentence, and that's especially true when it comes to the iPhone. ChangeWave Research's latest consumer survey ranks AT&T, the exclusive carrier of the iPhone in the US, last of the four major US carriers for customer satisfaction and percentage of dropped calls.

Internet Explorer market share at all time low: Time to give up?

Internet Explorer’s market share has reached an all time low, falling below 60% in April with Firefox and Chrome steadily increasing their share.

Google plans summer launch for digital bookstore

Google's settlement with authors and publishers remains in limbo, but the company is planning to launch its digital bookstore this summer with titles it is clearly authorized to sell. Google Editions will offer digital books for sale through its Web site in late June or July, giving Amazon and Apple a new competitor in the emerging digital-book market.

Hands On: Barnes & Noble Nook Update 1.3

Barnes & Noble on Friday released version 1.3 of the software for its Nook e-reader, which includes a Web browser, faster page turning, and several games. The Android-based Nook now also lets users read books for free in Barnes & Noble retail stores, and fixes a few bugs.

Google Maps gets 3D view of the world

Google on Monday augmented Google Maps with a feature called Earth view that brings the Google Earth software's 3D perspective to the Web browser. Earth view is available through the installation of a browser plug-in Google originally issued in 2008. With it, people can see the contours of world--canyons and mountains, most dramatically--using the Google Earth fly-through interface.

Office 2010 – Is it Worth Upgrading?

Office 2010: a deeper dive

I've spent the last six months immersed in Office 2010, using all the core programs day in and day out, digging in to see what's new, what works, and what's still annoying. My wide-ranging overview could help you decide whether Office 2010 matters to you. by Ed Bott

Consumer groups: Online tracking at 'alarming levels

The tracking and targeting of consumers online has reached "alarming levels," warned a coalition of consumer and privacy groups in a letter to Congress. The collection of 11 groups, which includes Consumer Action, Consumers Union, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said that because the online industry has been unable to regulate itself in protecting the privacy of consumers, it's time for government to step in.

Apple sells 1 million iPads

Apple on Monday said it sold its 1 millionth iPad last Friday with the introduction of the iPad 3G model. The company didn't say how many iPads of each model were sold, but we do know that on April 8 during the iPhone OS 4 event, Apple CEO Steve Jobs said the company had sold 450,000 iPads.

Do not pay for security software

After the recent disaster of an antivirus app update from security vendor McAfee, I took a quick look at what the laptop and PC companies--from whom most people get their security software--were offering in the way of security software on new computers.

How to Stay Anonymous Online

Some might say that the Internet was built on anonymity. Without it, the Internet might not have become what it is today—a place where free speech reigns supreme (maybe to a fault). However, as social networks prevail—and über-companies like Google do all they can to market to you more effectively—your privacy on the Web becomes comes into question. The good news is that you can take back control of what others see and know of you online. Here's how.

I’m Back and Better than Ever

Thanks for waiting while I enjoyed my great little vacation in Chicago. I had a fabulous time, even better than I hoped, but I am back now ready to keep you informed of the latest happenings in the tech world. Let’s get started!  JRC

Why it's time to move away from McAfee

Last week, McAfee pushed out a virus definition file update the company now admits did not meet an acceptable level of quality assurance. Users found this out the hard way when the update crippled their computers. While the damage to individual computer systems has been repairable, I recommend that you look elsewhere for your computer's security.

Steve Jobs: Adobe's Flash "has major technical drawbacks"

In an open letter to, well, everyone, Apple tells the world what it thinks of the Flash platform. And it’s not pleasant reading for Adobe.

No surprise: no support for XP in Windows Live Wave 4

More bad news for Windows XP users: Microsoft has announced that the next version of Windows Live, which is called Wave 4, won't include XP in client application support. The problem is that graphics support in XP won't handle the new client, which requires the more sophisticated graphics platform in Vista and Windows 7. The good news is that the web based services will still work in XP. This didn't come as a big surprise, but many XP holdouts are annoyed by Microsoft's declining support for the ten year old OS.

Google kills 'http' URLs; about time to follow suit?

Google’s Chrome browser will no longer include http:// as part of the URL field. It was only six months ago that Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the creator of the World Wide Web, admitted that the double slash punctuation in the URL was “a mistake”, and Google have seem to have acknowledged this revelation.

Seven utilities for Windows 7

This collection of free utilities great and small will give you tools to change a significant amount of Windows 7's behavior, from the look of the Start button to hulking out Windows Explorer with FTP powers.

Malicious Download Warnings

Note: This will be my last blog entry until the first week of May. Am off on one of my road trips, mostly in Chicago for 10 days. Am excited about this trip as I have never been there. May try to do a blog or two while there, but no promises as I am not sure of my connections yet. But I will stay in touch, via Twitter and Facebook. – JRC

As attacks surface, Sun ships sudden Java patch

In a sudden about-face, Sun has rushed out a Java update to fix a drive-by download vulnerability that exposed Windows users to in-the-wild malware attacks. The patch comes less than a week after Sun told a Google researcher it did not consider the issue serious enough to warrant an out-of-cycle patch and less than a day after researchers spotted live exploits on a booby-trapped song lyrics Web site.

Researchers warn of malware hidden in .zip files

Security researchers have discovered flaws in common file formats, including .zip, which can be used to sneak malware onto computers by evading antivirus detection.

The end of USB? Intel demos new Light Peak cable that's twice as fast as USB 3.0

Light Peak has a lot to offer, including 10Gbps throughput, twice that of the latest flavor of USB, along with the ability to run multiple protocols at the same time. That means you connect all of your devices with just a single Light Peak cable.

Run your PC from afar — securely and easily

Your office PC is miles away, when suddenly you realize you forgot that all-important file — what to do? Luckily, there are free tools (including one possibly residing in Windows) that give you remote access — or even full-scale remote control — of your PC, as if you were sitting right in front of it.

Best Free File Encryption Utility

Encryption is the process of encoding information so that it cannot be accessed by others unless they have the encoding key. Encryption is normally used to protect highly sensitive documents, but it's a good way to stop people from looking at your personal stuff.

Why You Should Be Using Drive Imaging

Best Free Drive Imaging Program

Disk Imaging has rapidly become a must have tool for most users because of its convenience, speed, and altogether ease of use. With disk imaging software a user can safely recover their computer from a system crash or a bad virus infection without having to worry about reformatting and reinstalling the operating system. With drive imaging there is almost no reason at all to have to reinstall Windows because it offers you the ability to restore an image to your hard drive in a fraction of that time and accomplish the same thing while keeping all of your programs and important data. For many users this has made Windows backup and other file backup solutions redundant.

Philly newspaper gambles on online gambling

Though Google CEO Eric Schmidt and seemingly everyone else is telling publishers they should place some bets on potential new business models, The Philadelphia Inquirer's new venture may not be exactly what they had in mind. Philly.com, the online unit of the Inquirer and sister newspaper the Philadelphia Daily News, has launched a legal online betting service called Instant Fantasy Games.

Apple refreshes its MacBook Pro notebooks

Apple on Tuesday updated its MacBook Pro line of notebook computers with faster processors and new Nvidia graphics. The biggest news amid the new MacBook Pro changes is that the 15-inch and 17-inch models now use Intel's Core i5 and i7 processors. The 13-inch model will continue to use Intel's Core 2 Duo processor.

Twitter rolling out plan to make money with tweet ads

Twitter Inc. users on Tuesday will start seeing the first examples of the company's new business plan to generate income by adding sponsored keywords to tweets. The San Francisco microblogging service will launch a new "promoted tweets'' platform to about 2 percent to 10 percent of Twitter users. In a blog entry posted at midnight, Twitter co-founder Biz Stone said the "first phase" of the new platform will launch with advertisers that include Best Buy, Bravo, Red Bull, Sony Pictures, Starbucks and Virgin America.

Why Microsoft did the right thing in ditching XP for IE9

I recently expressed a lack of surprise that Internet Explorer 9 will almost certainly not be supported on Windows XP. In Redmond's words, a "modern browser" needs a "modern operating system," and Windows XP doesn't qualify. Much to my surprise (well, not really, I know that XP is still used and, apparently, loved by many), many doubted my characterization of XP as "obsolete," and they questioned my lack of surprise at this decision.

Big Day for Photographers and Artists

Adobe Unleashes Photoshop CS5

After building up anticipation by releasing sneak peeks at upcoming features such as Content-Aware Fill and Puppet Warp, Adobe has unveiled Photoshop CS5, the latest version of its popular image editing program.

Adobe Creative Suite 5 Unleashed Roundup

Creative Suite 5 (CS5), for both Mac and Windows, injects many of Adobe's existing killer apps—such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and Flash—with some mind-boggling new capabilities, and introduces a new program or two you may not have known you needed.

Microsoft's Kin: What it is--and isn't

Today, Microsoft introduced its newest phone, the Kin. The short and squat Kin One and the wider-screened Kin Two are two shapes for the same idea--the mobile phone for those who want to broadcast their every thought, sight, and sound--"lifecasters," as Microsoft's Robbie Bach called them. Although many phones have Facebook or Twitter applications, social networking is at the heart of the Kin. Sharing has its own dedicated green button and is at the center of the Kin experience.

Adobe Flash evangelist: 'Go screw yourself Apple'

A blog post by Adobe Flash platform evangelist Lee Brimelow has brought more fire to what's become a very public fight between Apple and Adobe over the inclusion of Flash and other Adobe technologies in Apple's portable devices.

52 Useful Firefox Add-Ons for Photographers

Photography may have existed long before personal computers, but these days photographers spend a lot of time using computers for their work. You can make that work easier by taking advantage of these Firefox add-ons for photography.

Netflix, USB 3, and PDF – No Good News Here

Netflix will delay Fox and Universal releases for 28 days

If you subscribe to Netflix and watch a lot of new releases, you won't be too thrilled about this news: Netflix just announced agreements with Fox and Universal to delay those companies' new movies for 28 days. Netflix already had this kind of deal with Warner Bros., and it's basically an attempt by the movie industry to shore up slipping DVD sales.

Long delay expected for Intel support of USB 3.0

USB 3.0 will not see widespread adoption until at least late 2011 because of lack of direct support from Intel. As a result, the new standard may not become as prevalent this decade as USB 2.0 has been through most of the past decade.

Analyst's View: PDF—Pretty Dangerous Format?

In the early 90s Adobe created its Portable Document Format (PDF) for the specific purpose of ensuring that documents look exactly the same no matter what devices are used to view or print them. So why are there so many exploits using the PDF format to attack computer systems? Because Adobe lost track of its mission, that's why.

Survey: Cloud computing risks outweigh reward

IT Professionals are against using the Cloud to store data. What about you? Questioning more than 1,800 IT professionals in the U.S. who are members of the group, the ISACA found that only 10 percent of them plan to use cloud computing for mission-critical IT services, 15 percent will use it only for low-risk services, and 26 percent don't expect to tap into the cloud at all.

Get a Top Rated $60 Photo Editor for Whatever You Want to Pay

The freeware version of Sagelight Image Editor is currently our Top Pick for the "Best Free Digital Editor." During the month of April, in an exclusive offer through Gizmo's Freeware, you can get the $60 full-featured version of this amazingly powerful professional image editor and pay just what you want!

A New Reason to Hate AT&T

AT&T's latest iPhone Outrage

Can't get a decent connection in your home? AT&T has a fix, but it will cost you up to $150 to improve service you already paid for

iPhone 4.0: Multitasking Tops List of New Features

Apple today gave a sneak peek at a developer preview of iPhone OS 4.0, the next major version of its operating system for mobile devices. Apple CEO Steve Jobs boasted over 1500 new application programming interfaces (APIs) for developers in iPhone 4.0, letting them access features like the iPhone's calendar, photo library, video-camera data, and more.

Microsoft decision puts public libraries at risk

Millions of Americans depend on libraries, Internet cafés, and other public locations for their connection to the Internet, and keeping these points of access safe from hackers is especially difficult. Recently, however, Microsoft has made that challenge even more difficult for many public libraries. The company announced it would not upgrade the free application, SteadyState, to Windows 7 compatibility, angering many of the folks who manage public-access PCs. People who manage library PCs say they don't have money to pay for third-party products that protect public PCs from malware and malicious users.

Microsoft to fix 25 holes in Windows, Office, Exchange

Microsoft will issue 11 security bulletins in next week's Patch Tuesday to fix 25 vulnerabilities in Windows, Microsoft Office, and Exchange, including two holes for which exploit code is in the wild.

FotoMorph 10.1.1 (Windows) - Free

Amaze your friends and family with unbelievable transformations. Morphing is an animation technique in which one image is gradually turned into another. FotoMorph lets you make incredible morphs in minutes.