Should the Govt. Be Able to Shut Down Web Sites at Will?

Fight for Senate antipiracy bill rages

Killing legislation that would enable the government to shut down Web sites accused of piracy was a top priority for many technology trade groups today. Last week, a Senate committee stunned the tech sector by announcing it would try to fast-track a bill designed to grant the U.S. Department of Justice wide authority to combat illegal file sharing and counterfeiting. Critics say the proposed legislation, known as the Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act, is nothing more than censorship and would heap the copyright-protection problems on companies that shouldn't bear the burden. Giving the government the right to shut down websites would put us on a par with China for censorship.

Windows Live Essentials 2011 released

Microsoft has just released the final version of Windows Live Essentials 2011, an update for the popular Windows Live Essentials suite of downloadable Windows applications. The suite is a free download from Microsoft, compatible with Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Microsoft Security Essentials: Free, so what's the catch?

As I live on the edge without any virus protection, it will only be a matter of time before I pick something up -- which is why I was interested in Microsoft's recent release of the second version of OneCare's successor, Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE). MSE provides real-time protection for home PCs, although Microsoft is promising that enterprise support for small business is on the way.

Windows 7: The Top 10 Hidden Features

There are plenty of hidden features and goodies in the depth of Windows 7. We'll tell you where to find them.

Best Free Notes Organizer

In today's electronic world, it can be quite a challenge to organize all useful information such as web clips, articles, bits of text, images, interesting web links, bookmarks, shopping lists, to-do lists, recipes, tips and many others that are hanging around your PC. It seems to be a common easy task but a difficult one to sort out as the information is so disparate. Some folks have tried to get it organized by using free form databases while others use beefed up text editors or multi-media snippet managers. If you're one of them or just would like to look for a useful tool to organize your random bits of information, you might find that some of these freeware products come in handy and helpful.

Xmarks to Shut Down

Xmarks Blog - End of the Road for Xmarks

This post attempts to summarize the Xmarks story: how we got to be the most heavily used browser synchronization service in the world and yet still find ourselves pulling the plug.

Microsoft Issues Emergency Patch for Windows Web Bug

As promised, Microsoft today delivered an emergency patch for a Windows Web server flaw that is being actively exploited by hackers. The fix addresses a vulnerability in ASP.Net's encryption that attackers could abuse to access Web applications with full administrator rights; decrypt session cookies or other encrypted data on a remote server; and access and snatch files from sites or Web applications.

OpenOffice.org Volunteers Cut Ties with Oracle

The volunteers behind the OpenOffice.org competitor to Microsoft Office have severed ties with Oracle and formed The Document Foundation. Oracle got OpenOffice.org with its purchase of Sun Microsystems. Under The Document Foundation, OpenOffice is called LibreOffice, and the break with Oracle is being lauded by the open-source industry.

Amazon Puts E-Books Everywhere with Kindle for the Web

A new Kindle for the Web beta from Amazon.com lets readers sample new book titles in any recent browser. Readers of Amazon's e-books can read the first chapter free and adjust Kindle for the Web as needed.

Taskbar Items Pinner Pins Anything to the Windows 7 Taskbar

Windows 7: Free utility Taskbar Items Pinner adds pre-defined or user-defined folders, files, and even web pages to the Windows 7 taskbar.

Politics, Privacy, and State-Sponsored Viruses

Cybersecurity: Stuxnet Suspicions Rise: Has a Cyberwar Started?

The Stuxnet worm has been rattling security experts for quite some time with its complexity and ingenuity. New suspicions have been raised recently that the worm was used to sabotage a nuclear reactor in Iran. That, coupled with the worm's behavior, has led to some speculation that Stuxnet is a state-sponsored weapon. Iran was perhaps hit hardest by Stuxnet, with nearly 60 percent of all infected PCs found in that country.

Report: Feds to push for Net encryption backdoors

The Obama administration will seek a new federal law forcing Internet e-mail, instant-messaging, and other communication providers offering encryption to build in backdoors for law enforcement surveillance, The New York Times reported today.

Browser Betas: The Future of Web Surfing

Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, and Chrome all have beta browsers available for download. Here's a look at the Web of the near future.

Stop Using Windows XP, Please

I have no nostalgia for Windows XP. It was a decent operating system with its share of problems, but the longer I run it in the office, while using a smaller Windows 7 laptop as my mobile system and working on a Windows 7 machine at home, the more I notice its shortcomings. Windows XP lacks stability, strong security features like BitLocker, universal search, the Aero interface, innumerable usability features, Device Stage and the overall speed enhancements I enjoy in Windows 7. On the other hand, thanks to three service packs, it does still work.

Five great Firefox privacy add-ons

It's getting more and more difficult to protect your privacy on the Web. Just as we're invited to share our thoughts and experiences with friends, family, and the universe, there's somebody recording it all and looking to make a buck from it, legally or otherwise. The key is to find the right balance between the Web's convenience and your security.

What I Use–Part 3

This is a continuation of the article I started three weeks ago on the hardware and software I personally use. In this edition, I will focus on specialized software, mostly used for specific organizational functions such as music, DVD’s, eBooks, etc.…plus more.

1. Music: For my music, podcasts, audio books and even some videos, I use an 80GB iPod Classic. If you use an iPod, you are almost forced to use the free Apple’s iTunes. Now, you will hear a lot of Windows users complaining about iTunes (but not many Apple users). It is extremely bloated, has some stuff you really don’t need, and is a pain to upgrade as you must download the whole program again. But, frankly, I have never had a problem with using it and it does the job pretty well…keeping all my music organized and readily accessible. There are other programs that do almost the same thing and will work with iPods, but all fall short of iTunes, if you use an iPod. And for educational podcasts and videos, you cannot beat the wealth of free materials in the iTunes store.

2. DVD Organization: If you collect DVD’s of movies and TV shows, check out Invelos’ DVDProfiler. It is an excellent way to keep your collection organized. When you enter a new DVD, it pulls all the information about the DVD into the data file…actors, director’s, synopsis, cover art etc. Basically, you don’t have to enter anything except the name, or even better, the DVD’s bar code number. Everything else is filled out for you, with room for you to make notations. It is free, although there is a $30 paid version you might want to purchase if you get seriously involved.

3. E-book Organizer: As mentioned here before, I use Amazon’s Kindle for a great portion of my reading. The number of books available to me number in the millions and many of them are free and come from other places besides Amazon. If I order a book from Amazon, it is easy as the book is sent to my Kindle wirelessly within a minute of my purchase. But, if I get books from other sources, I used a free program called “Calibre.” This great program is an excellent organizer program that can do many things besides collecting book purchases when you download them. It can collect books done in most other formats and convert them into the Kindle format, then send them to my Kindle via USB. But Calibre works with all book readers and formats, so if you bought a Sony Reader or Barnes and Noble Nook, you will want Calibre also. It has many other functions besides those mentioned here, but if you have an e-reader of any type, Calibre is a must!

4. Web Page Design – In the past, I used a discontinued software product from Symantec called “Visual Page.” It has been discontinued for some time, but I still find myself using it. For the most part, I use a program from Serif called WebPlus X2. It takes some time to learn how to use it (I found that to be true with all Web Page design programs), but I like it a great deal and it does a very good job for me. I am sure I have not fully realized its entire potential, but I am getting there slowly by surely. This is not a free program. The cost is around $80 and the current version is X4.

5. FTP Program: FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol and is the program I use to send newly created and revised Web pages up to my Website. For this specialized software, I use Filezilla, another free program that is just excellent and is probably the choice of the majority of Web site designers. It is a dream to use.

Next time, I will focus on productivity software, such as spreadsheets, word processing and much more.

Special Edition–A Look at Internet Explorer 9

Internet Explorer 9 beta review: Microsoft reinvents the browser

It is, without question, the most ambitious browser release Microsoft has ever undertaken, and despite the beta label it is an impressively polished product.

Internet Explorer 9 Feature Focus - Pinned Web Sites

Unlike other web browsers, Internet Explorer 9 integrates with Windows in a very deep way, especially Windows 7. And the best Windows integration feature in IE 9, arguably, is its support of pinned web sites. That is, IE 9 allows you to pin your favorite web sites to the Windows 7 taskbar in a manner that is similar to the way you pin favorite applications.

What's Missing in IE9?

It goes without saying that IE9 is still in beta, so many or all of these annoyances may be fixed before final release sometime in 2011. I realize that I’ve certainly missed some things and have probably been a bit picky on some others, but here is what comes to mind:

Microsoft: IE9 will never run on Windows XP

Microsoft has ruled out putting Internet Explorer 9 on Windows XP, leaving millions of PCs open to Mozilla and Google browsers providing hardware-accelerated rich-internet. PS: It is also missing a few important features when running on Vista. IE9 is best used on Windows 7.

How to uninstall Internet Explorer 9

Maybe you've seen enough of the Internet Explorer 9 beta for now -- you just wanted a taste, but you'd rather not use a beta browser on a day-to-day basis. Maybe you just want to know how to uninstall it because other people are going to ask you how to do it. Unlike most other programs on your computer, however, you won't find IE9 listed on the Uninstall or change a program screen.

Download the IE9 Beta

You must choose whether you are running a 32 bit or 64 bit version of Windows 7 or Windows Vista. This new IE will not work in Windows XP. And if you choose to install it, you will no longer have use of IE8.

Looking Back at the History of Search

Finding stuff online: 20 years of innovative search engines

What would the Internet be without a way to find something specific on its millions of sites? Search engines started providing that function two decades ago. Here are some of the landmarks, from Archie to AltaVista to Google and Bing. A fun look back at the history of searches, which is to say the history of the Internet.

Coping with Windows Live Hotmail Wave 4

Microsoft's new version of Windows Live Hotmail brings several new features to the online-mail table. Some of you have written me with tales of woe, cursing the new version and the Windows Live horse it rode in on and begging to get your old Hotmail back. Sorry, you can't. All is not doom and gloom. As you'll see, the new Wave 4 Hotmail does have its redeeming social values. And if you're still suffering through the changes, there are a few tricks that might make dealing with the newer, shinier version easier.

How to Buy a Point-and-Shoot Digital Camera

Follow these seven simple rules to find the perfect compact digital camera for your needs—and your budget.

Backup Overview

There are two kinds of people in the world - those who have had a hard drive failure, and those who will. Make sure this common occurrence does not lead to the loss of your image collection. An excellent article about making sure you back up the right way.

Best Free Personal Finance Software

We've just completed a major update of our Best Free Personal Finance Software section. Editor "Antoosa" has done an excellent job with a much expanded product coverage so most users should be able to find a product suited to their needs. He's also added some weekly budget tips and even some budget humor - a subject that's undoubtedly welcome in these hard economic times.

What I Use–Part 3

This is a continuation of the article I started two weeks ago on the hardware and software I personally use on my computers. As I said last week, I hope you find it of value.

1. Boot-up Management: This is a recent and welcome addition to my arsenal. Soluto is a new software, still in beta, that will help you improve your boot-up times by analyzing what your computer is loading, then making recommendations on what can be eliminated or even loaded later after your computer is finished booting. Works like a dream and I was able to cut my boot sequence times by at least half.

2. Backup Software: This is one of the most critical areas in your entire arsenal of computer software. The most important thing you can remember is that the hard drive where you store your data is going to die…not if, but when. Therefore you must backup your data…and to more than just one place. I use the 3-2-1 rule of backup…it must be backed up in 3 places; it must be stored on 2 different types of media; and at least 1 backup must be off-site.

As you will see, I am a freak for backups and I make it a rule to back up at least once a day. I have 5 external hard drives, 2 of which are kept off-site. I don’t want to lose my data. As a professional photographer, I have thousands of photos I never want to lose. I also have thousands of music files, original digital paintings…not to mention documents, spreadsheets, financial data and more. You get the idea.

Now there are different types of backups…the standard file-by-file backup, file synchronization, cloud backup, and disk imaging backup. Here is what I use for these.

a. File by File and Synchronization backups – for both of these I use one program that works perfectly for me. Syncback SE is another free program that allows you to make backups or sync two drives so that the files are identical. It backs up files so that you can see them individually, rather than having a single file filled with data that doesn’t show you what you have backed up and only works (hopefully) when you restore it. Each backed up file is as usable as the original file and if there is an error, you are notified. I have programmed the individual back-ups or file syncs, organized them into groups and have the groups automatically run every night. If there is a problem, I am notified.

b. Disk Imaging Backup – This specialized type of backup is used to make a perfect image of your hard drive…then if your hard drive dies, you install a new hard drive and copy the image over to the new drive…and you are back up and running. I have an image backup of all three of my computers. I was using a program made by Macrium, but it failed me the other day when I used it to restore a drive. So, now I only use the imaging software that comes built-in with Windows 7. I know from experience it works perfectly. The best way to use it is to install your operating system and your favorite programs, and then image the drive.

c. Cloud Backup – For this I use Dropbox. This great software gives me 2 Gb worth of free backup into the cloud for extra protection. But it also serves a second and greater purpose…it syncs the data between my desktop and both my portable computers…so whatever is done on any of my computers is automatically sent to the cloud, then to my other computers when they are on. Syncing is done on a continuous basis whenever a file is changed.

3. Virus and Spyware Protection: Here, for this most important of my utility programs I use two free program: Microsoft’s Security Essentials for virus, Trojan horse and worm protection; and SuperAntiSpyware for spyware protection. Both are free. Security Essentials gives you protection over most malware, including some of the really bad spyware. But SuperAntiSpyware covers the small little advertising-based spyware that wants to know what I do and where I go on the Web. None of their business. Security Essentials has caught a few pieces of nasty bugs that try to get into my machine. For instance, not long ago it caught one site trying to download malware attached to its Web page. Both products do their jobs nicely, and, as I said, are free. SuperAntiSpyware does require a bit more manual work, but it is worth it.

To be Continued Next Week…

Interesting Phone Plans Coming from Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart Will Offer No-Contract Family Mobile Plan

Wal-Mart will offer no-contract wireless coverage from T-Mobile through its Family Mobile plan. Using a variety of handsets from Nokia, Motorola and Samsung, Wal-Mart's Family Mobile starts at $45 a month for one phone and $25 for each additional line. If Wal-Mart pushes Family Mobile, other wireless carriers might be forced to offer similar plans.

Internet Explorer 9 beta review: Microsoft reinvents the browser

Today in San Francisco, Microsoft will officially unveil Internet Explorer 9 and make it available to the general public. It is, without question, the most ambitious browser release Microsoft has ever undertaken, and despite the beta label it is an impressively polished product.

Stuxnet attackers used 4 Windows zero-day exploits

The attackers behind the recent Stuxnet worm attack used four different zero-day security vulnerabilities to burrow into — and spread around — Microsoft’s Windows operating system, according to a startling disclosure from the world’s largest software maker. Two of the four vulnerabilities are still unpatched.

Tools and Resources for Grammar, Copywriting, Spelling and More

So much of the web is based around written content that it’s important for anyone who works online to have a good grasp of language, including grammar and spelling. But it’s not always easy to find reputable sources that can teach us these things if we didn’t learn them in school (or retain them for long after). Below are over thirty great resources for learning more about grammar, vocabulary, copywriting, and more.

Password Protection: Password Recovery and Control Tools

Did you really think you had to remember a different, strong password for every site on the Web? We've got the tools you need to gain access every time. But for my money, there is no better product to use than LastPass. It is so safe and definitely the best.

Tomorrow is Patch Tuesday

Microsoft to fix 13 holes in Windows, IIS, and Office

Affected software includes Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7; Windows Server 2003 and 2008; and Office XP, 2003, and 2007, with the older versions affected by the critical bulletins, according to the security advisory announcing the plans for September's Patch Tuesday.

iPad competitors lining up

Apple's iPad may finally have some competition. With the gadget, Apple started the craze for building devices that are smaller than notebooks and bigger than standard smartphones, feature touch-screen interfaces, and enable people to browse the Web and download apps. And the iPad took off quicker than most people anticipated, selling 3 million units in its first 80 days. The device is expected to keep tight hold of its market-leading position for at least the next year.

ClearCloud DNS - Access to a Safer World Wide Web

This one looks interesting. ClearCloud prevents you from being able to access known bad websites, sites that will download malicious files to your computer. Even better, ClearCloud prevents you from being able to access malicious websites that you may not even know your computer is trying to access — and it prevents potentially nasty programs from "phoning home" and secretly communicating between your computer and cybercriminals.

Four ways to get the most from your 802.11n Wi-Fi

In theory, 802.11n can zip by your 100Mbps Fast Ethernet at a real-world 160Mbps, but the practice it’s usually much slower. No, the Wi-FI vendors aren’t lying; the problem is that you have to set 802.11n up just right to really get fast performance.

FotoMorph 11.1 (Windows), from Digital Photo Software - Free

FotoMorph is a photo animation tool with a friendly user interface. Amaze your friends and family with unbelievable transformations. Morphing is an animation technique in which one image is gradually turned into another.

What I Use–Part 2

This is a continuation of the article I started last week on the hardware and software I personally use on my computers. As I said last week, I hope you find it of value.

Utilities (Continued)

1. General Utilities: The Swiss Army Knife of utility software for me is Glary Utilities. It has way too many tools to list here, but some of them are: Disk analysis, Duplicate File Finder, Empty folders finder, file shredders, file encryption, startup manager, memory optimizer, and registry cleaner/defrager. One of my favorites is “disk analysis.” I use it to analyze a hard drive to see what might be taking up so much room on the drive. It gives me a complete list of folders and files along with a pie chart to help figure things out. Another free program.

2. Defrag Software: For a long time I used a free program, Auslogics Disk Defrager. It’s a great program that works faster than most. But since I switched to Windows 7, I use the disk defragmenter that come built-in with Windows. It runs automatically once a week in the middle of the night. Disk defragmentation is not as important as it once was, but I think it still should be done occasionally. Now, with Windows 7, I don’t worry about it.

3. Partitioning Software: This is something you don’t use very often, but when you do use it, you want a program that is safe and won’t destroy the data on existing partitions. A while back I used one program that will go unnamed that destroyed all the data on a partition while I created a new one. I now use Minitool’s Partition Wizard. I recently used it on one of my computers and it performed as advertised and the existing partitions were kept safe. It is also a free program. PS: Windows 7 does have a built-in partitioning program, but it does not have the functionality of Partition Wizard.

4. PDF Reader: I cannot say this strong enough…DO NOT USE ADOBE READER. There are so many security holes in it with new ones being found on a weekly basis, making your computer vulnerable to viruses and other malware. That being said, I recommend using Foxit Reader, a fast program that is much, much safer and only 10% the size of the bloated Adobe Reader. I am also experimenting with Nitro PDF Reader, but it is too soon to give it my total recommendation…but it does seem to have more functionality than Foxit and so far I like it very much.

5. CD/DVD Burning: I looked long and hard at several programs before I found Ashampoo Burning Studio 6. This remarkable, free program offers several options for burning different types of CD’s and DVD’s: data, music, movies, ISO and more. It will also burn Blue Ray discs. Heartily recommended.

More to come next week.

High Speed Google Search is Here

Google Instant Filters Your Google Search Results As You Type

Google Instant is a major update to the default Google search experience, providing immediate, as-you-type search results that aim to speed up your everyday Google queries by two to five seconds per search.

Mozilla patches DLL load hijacking vulnerability

Mozilla has joined Apple in being among the first to fix the DLL load hijacking attack vector that continues to haunt hundreds of Windows applications. The open-source group released Firefox 3.6.9 with patches for a total of 15 vulnerabilities (11 rated critical). Make sure you upgrade your Firefox browser soon.

Kindle vs. Nook vs. iPad: Which e-book reader should you buy?

Yes, it's true: now is a better time than ever to be in the market for an e-book reader. Hardware prices are more affordable than ever, and more titles are available electronically--anywhere from hundreds of thousands to millions, depending on whether you include the huge library of free public-domain titles--than at any point in history.

Windows 7 Calculator Tips and Tricks

I’m sure most of you have used the Windows 7 Calculator for the odd sum that you need to quickly add up, but it turns out this calculator is much improved on previous versions of Windows. There’s a whole bunch of other features thrown in there which you mightn’t know about at first.

SecondShell is a portable utility that makes Windows Explorer a lot more user friendly

SecondShell is a tool that makes window management both less fiddly and more keyboard shortcut oriented. It doesn't actually do a whole lot (it's only 200 kilobytes!), but it adds such handy features that you'll wonder why Windows doesn't include them by default.

The New Chrome Browser is Here

A Newer, Shinier Google Chrome 6 Browser Arrives

Google has just released the latest version of Chrome 6, their top rated “Modern Browser” that makes web surfing even faster, easier and more secure. Released last week to coincide with Chrome’s second anniversary, the first stable build of Chrome 6 is updated with a few tweaks to improve on its already topnotch design.

Apple's Ping dinged by spam

Apple's brand new music social media service, Ping, is already getting hit by a barrage of comment spam. Apple apparently has set up no spam or URL filtering in Ping, leaving the service wide open to junk comments.

SuperSite for Windows: Apple iTunes 10 - A Review

It's gotten to the point where iTunes is simply something that we, as Windows users, have learned to live with. It's a bloated, poorly-written, poor performing pig of a program. But it's also an absolute necessity for the hundreds of millions of us who use iPhones, iPods, and iPads every day.

Password Protection: How to Create Strong Passwords

The problem is that passwords should be different everywhere you use them, and that can make it difficult to remember them all. And, if a password is truly strong, that makes it even more difficult. That's why we've put together this helpful password guide.

Hotmail Now Supports Push Email and Other Features

Users of Hotmail will find it easier to stay up-to-date and be productive with your phone. Starting 08-30-10, users can get email, calendar, and contacts pushed automatically to your phone using Exchange ActiveSync (EAS).

What I Use–Part 1

I’ve been doing this blog/newsletter for over 10 years. During that time, I’ve recommend hundreds, if not thousands of products for you to look at or use. Do I use all the hardware/software I recommend? Of course not. But almost everything I do use has been written about here…some more than once.

Over time, I have become a bit of an expert in computer products, so I recognize good products when I see them and use them to help me with my own productivity. So, I decided to write a series of blogs describing the products I personally use and why. I will still write the regular blog with news and new hardware and software recommendations…but I will pop in once-a-week with more info about my personal favorites. I will accumulate these blogs and put them together in one article one my Web site…then continually update it when I change or add products.

Now, I’m guessing that most of you don’t give a rip about what I use as hardware, so I will save that for the Web site…with the caveat that some of my software ties directly to some hardware, so I will mention the hardware then.

With that in mind, I begin this series with software…specifically the utility software I find most useful. I hope you will find this series very useful.

Utilities

1. Encryption: I use TrueCrypt to encode all my personal files on my laptop and netbook computers. These 2 computers are out in the public a great deal so they have the highest possibility of being stolen. If they are, no thief will have access to my data. I don’t currently use it on my desktop computer, but may in the near future. I have tried using Microsoft’s own Bitlocker encryption software, but TrueCrypt works best for me. I have it set so that when the computer boots up, the first thing it asks is for my password to unlock the TrueCrypt directory. TrueCrypt is free so if you are thinking about encryption, I recommend this one highly.

2. Uninstall Software: For this, I use Revo Uninstaller. The standard uninstall option that comes with Windows usually leaves behind a lot of worthless files that can clog up your computer. Revo goes way beyond that, removing related files in the directories and in the registry. I always set it on the highest setting to remove all the junk files. Again, this program in free.

3. General File Cleanup: For this I use CCleaner. Windows leaves behind a lot of temp files and other junk in its wake, not to mention the trash bin, browser temp files, etc. I think the first time you run CCleaner you will be shocked how much junk is left behind…and it’s usually in the Gigabytes. You can tell the program what not to remove. For instance I tell it not to erase my browser cookies. Using this program may not make your computer run much faster, but you will free up a lot of hard drive space.

4. Disk Management: While the new Windows Explorer in Windows 7 is quite an improvement over past version, I still use Xplorer2 Lite the majority of the time. I like it because it gives me two windows to two separate file or drive locations so I can drag and drop files much easier. It is called Light because it is also a paid version.

I will continue this series next week.

Apple’s Big Day

New iPods abound including multitouch nano at Apple event

Apple held its annual fall media event Wednesday. During the event, Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled a new line of iPods, as has become tradition, including a new shuffle, a multitouch-enabled nano, and an A4-powered, FaceTime-compatible iPod touch.

iTunes 10 Gets a Streamlined Interface, Adds a Social Network for Music

If you were hoping for a totally redesigned, less twiddly iTunes 10, you're out of luck. But Apple added a social tool, Ping, for following artists and friends' tastes and tracking concerts. And your music list looks a bit tidier, too.

Apple TV upgraded with rental model, no purchasing content allowed; $99

Apple’s music-themed event concluded today with a revamp we’ve all been waiting for. The second-generation of Apple TV is official, and it sure is small. First off, the new Apple TV is much smaller than the original, being only 1/4th the size this time around. Connectivity is simple to figure out with ports for power, Ethernet, and HDMI, plus 802.11n Wi-Fi. Each box also comes with a remote control.

Windows 7 Family Pack to make a comeback in October

starting October 3 in the U.S., the Family Pack will be available via select retailers and online at the Microsoft Store for $149.99. Still, the better buy is to get all (nearly) unlimited Microsoft products via Microsoft TechNet for $199.

FilerFrog adds loads of useful actions to your Windows context menu

Want a way to put dozens of handy commands within two-click reach? Download FilerFrog and bolt it on to your context menu, and you'll have a wide array of new tools available via your right mouse button as you browse your files and folders in Explorer.

Paper Publications Continue to Disappear

USA Today moves away from print publication

USA Today is moving away from print publication it was announced Thursday. USA Today Publisher Dave Hunke, is quoted by the Associated Press as saying that the company will focus on delivering their content on the internet.

Printed Oxford English Dictionary May Fade Away

It may be the end of the line for the printed Oxford English Dictionary as users find online access more convenient. The online Oxford dictionary gets two million visits a month, while the 1989 print version has sold about 30,000. An analyst said writers have found online dictionaries and word-processing spell checkers more convenient.

Quicken Online closes for good; migration to Mint is less than ideal

Quicken Online has officially made its way into the history books, welcoming Mint to replace it, as of the weekend. But unlike other migrations from one software product to another, many of which do a lot of the heavy lifting for the user, this switch from Quicken Online to Mint is no day at the beach. Because the platforms for the two products are so vastly different.

Bad flash drive caused worst U.S. military breach

A malware-laden flash drive inserted in a laptop at a U.S. military base in the Middle East in 2008 led to the "most significant breach of" the nation's military computers ever, according to a new magazine article by a top defense official.

WiLMa Keeps Your Windows Just the Way You Like Them

Windows Layout Manager (also known as WiLMa) is a free app that allows you to manage the size, shape, and positioning of any and all windows on your screen to a fine degree.

Make Phone Calls from Gmail

Google makes it official: Phone calls now in Gmail

Google launched the ability to make voice calls to any traditional phone number from a Gmail account. It's a blend of Gmail and Google Voice technology that allows users to dial numbers from their computers as well as receive incoming calls through one's Google Voice number.

Fact check: malware did not bring down a passenger jet

I’ve been reading breathless and shocking “reports” for several days now explaining that “malware brought down a Spanish jet.” And once again we have a case study in how the Internet echo chamber works to take a single report and distort it beyond recognition.

Microsoft updates Office Web Apps, Facebook Docs

Although officially only two months old, Microsoft's Office Web Apps is already growing up a bit. To satisfy just some of the many user requests for new features, Microsoft this week updated its online version of Office with enhancements to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Microsoft Russia shows apparent Internet Explorer 9 interface

Though Microsoft has released four previews of Internet Explorer 9 over the past six months, none of them included much of a user interface. The company was keeping that under wraps, with the first public unveiling happening in a few weeks, on September 15. But with an apparent mistake by one of Microsoft's Russian Web properties, it looks like the secret might be out: the site posted a screenshot that apparently shows the new browser UI, as noticed by Mary-Jo Foley at ZDNet.

Zimbra Desktop - Free

Zimbra Desktop is free e-mail and calendar software that runs on any Linux, Mac or Windows computer. The tool offers e-mail, contacts, calendar and document capabilities all in one application, and it lets users read e-mail from any POP or IMAP e-mail account, including Gmail, Hotmail or business e-mail.

New Dual Core Atom Processors Released

Dual-Core Atoms Boost Performance for New Netbooks

New netbooks with more powerful dual-core Atom processors from Intel are shipping from Acer, ASUS, Fujitsu, Lenovo, LG, Samsung and Toshiba. Intel's new dual-core Atom is based on the Pinetrail platform and has two physical cores with two threads per core for a performance boost of up to 20 percent.

Hands on review of the Kindle 3

The first thing you should know about the "Kindle 3" is that it's more evolutionary than revolutionary. Most importantly, Amazon has made its 6-inch e-reader smaller and lighter, and it has improved the screen. The Kindle has also adopted the key Wi-Fi feature from its rival, the Barnes & Noble Nook.

Watch Out for New Bank Fees

Not really a high tech news story, but worth knowing. With new consumer laws now requiring banks to let you opt-in to overdraft protection, new fees will be popping up to fill in the gap. Here's what to expect.

Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows: Master Libraries

Windows 7's new Libraries features is one of the biggest changes to Microsoft's latest client OS, and while their use doesn't require a major rethinking compared to the previous scheme of physical and special shell folders, there are indeed some interesting and unique wrinkles to libraries. This week, I'd like to provide some pointers for getting the most out of libraries.

This To-Do List Manager is Top-Notch and Free

f you're the sort of person who buys self-help books aimed at busy people, you've almost certainly heard of David Allen. He's the inventor of a concept called GTD, or Getting Things Done. It's not so much a way of managing your to-do list, but more a way of life. Wieldy is a free to-do list manager, which its author claims is modeled on the GTD concept. It runs under Windows XP and above, and provides a friendly, intuitive way to manage and prioritize all your tasks and thoughts, and keep track of contacts. It uses a Ribbon-like interface, and I actually think it looks a lot like Microsoft Outlook.

Did Viruses Bring Down an Aircraft?

Trojan-ridden warning system implicated in Spanair crash

The airline's central computer which registered technical problems on planes was infected by Trojans at the time of the fatal crash and this resulted in a failure to raise an alarm over multiple problems with the plane, according to Spanish daily El Pais.

HD Moore: Critical bug in 40 different Windows apps

Metasploit’s HD Moore was in the midst of researching the recently patched LNK (Windows shortcut) vulnerability when he stumbled upon a serious problem that exposes more than 40 different Windows software programs to remote code execution attacks.

Adobe Updates Reader, Acrobat and Flash Player

Adobe Reader and Acrobat have received emergency patches to fix vulnerabilities disclosed at the Black Hat conference. Charlie Miller said at Black Hat that the flaws in Adobe Reader and Acrobat could be exploited with specially crafted PDF files. The Adobe updates also fix six vulnerabilities in Flash Player that could be used to take control of a PC.

Facebook Places: One check-in to rule them all

There was something very much in the vein of Utopian science-fiction fantasies to Facebook's announcement of "Places," its location-based "check-in" product that it launched on Wednesday night. In short, Facebook not only wants to be the digital sovereignty toward which all other geolocation apps direct their figurative roads, it also wants to be the Web's own omniscient historian.

How I’d Hack Your Weak Passwords

This isn't intended as a guide to hacking *other people's* weak passwords. Instead, the aim is to help you better understand the security of your own passwords and how to bolster that security.

Top 100 Web Sites

The Top 100 Web Sites of 2010

Here are the PC Magazine picks for the hottest Web sites and Web trends of the year, plus some old favorites to enjoy.

So Google Thinks It Can Dance With the Devil?

Google and Verizon have proposed a compromise on the issue of Net neutrality -- a system that would ensure unbiased handling of traffic over wired connections but leave the world of wireless open to manipulation by service providers. Google has been a neutrality advocate in the past, but critics say this plan is no solution at all.

SanDisk Reveals The SSD Perfect For Mobile Computing - It's Smaller Than A Postage Stamp

Solid state drives just got a whole lot smaller. Memory maker SanDisk introduced a new super compact memory chip that is smaller than your average postage stamp and lighter than a paperclip.

Windows Live Essentials 2011 Beta Refresh Now Available

Microsoft on Tuesday issued a "beta refresh" of its upcoming Windows Live Essentials 2011 applications suite for Windows Vista and 7. If you use Windows Live Essentials 4 Beta, you should go on line and update your software.

DLS Review: Picasa 3.8 Released, now with Picnik editor

Picasa 3.8 has been unleashed upon the world a couple of days ago. It brings with it several major features, sch as Batch Album upload, something called "Face Movie" which creates an animation out of a series of images of the same person, and last but certainly not least, Picnik photo editing.

Is Disney Spying on You?

Disney sued over allegedly spying with 'flash cookies'

A lawsuit filed in federal court last week alleges that a group of well-known Web sites, including those owned by Disney, Warner Bros. Records, and Demand Media, broke the law by secretly tracking the Web movements of their users, including children. Walt would be turning over in his grave.

Microsoft's new Hotmail: Not a smooth transition for all

Microsoft rolled out to all of its Hotmail users the newest version of its Web-based e-mail program in early August. Since that time, a number of users have been reporting problems accessing and composing their mail when using the latest release.

Gartner: Android has overtaken iPhone worldwide

Android is now larger than the iPhone on the world stage, analysts at Gartner said today. Google's phone platform jumped to 10.6 million phones sold, or enough to overtake the iPhone and take 17.2 percent of the market. The researchers believe Apple sold more iPhones than it shipped, at 8.47 million, but the higher number was still enough to put it at fourth place with 14.2 percent.

Best Free Word Processor

If you don't write novels, reports and documentations all the time, but like to use a Word Processor for letters, memos and how-to's, you will love some of these word processors. They are mostly lightweight, load in a jiffy, and give you many more features than those you find in Wordpad that comes with Windows.

10+ extensions for better back-to-school browsing with Google Chrome

If Google Chrome is your browser of choice, there are loads of useful add-on enhancements in the Extensions Gallery which can turn Chrome into a powerful tool for staying focused and productive while tackling your coursework.

Google & Verizon Team Up to Screw Us All

If Verizon and Google Win, We Lose

If Google and Verizon get their way, no one will be able to stand up for wireless customers. Well-considered regulation is needed to stop outrageous practices. Indeed, what the two companies and their pampered executives really mean is that the FCC and the states shouldn't regulate the wireless industry at all. Consumers be damned.

Stuxnet could hijack power plants, refineries

A worm that targets critical infrastructure companies doesn't just steal data, it leaves a back door that could be used to remotely and secretly control plant operations, a Symantec researcher said on Thursday. The Stuxnet worm infected industrial control system companies around the world, particularly in Iran and India but also companies in the U.S. energy industry.

Preparing Windows XP for the long haul

Microsoft's support for Windows XP may be fading, but a loyal horde of XP users plans to stick with this venerable OS for as long as possible. If that's your long-term goal, there are a number of steps you can take now to ensure a finely tuned XP system for months — possibly years — to come.

High Dynamic Range Tutorial

Learn how to Make HDR photos...written by the master of this photo technique. And see his beautiful HDR photographs. This in-depth tutorial will teach you everything you need to know.

FileNotes Freeware - add personal notes to your files

FileNotes is a simple tool that lets you add a personal note to any file on your computer. To add a note, simply right-click on the file and select the newly added `Notes` menu item, which will open a small notes window that allows you to type your note or review an existing note.

Which is the Best Browser?

Record Patch Tuesday yields critical Windows, IE fixes

Microsoft issued a record number of monthly patches on Tuesday, including fixes for eight critical holes affecting Windows, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Word, and other programs that could be exploited to take control of a computer. MAKE SURE UP CHECK YOUR VERSION OF WINDOWS TO SEE IF IT IS INSTALLED. IF NOT...INSTALL IT NOW!!

The Best Web Browser: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, or Safari?

Not too long ago the job of a Web browser was simple: Get the text from the Internet and pour it into the window. If a tag like <strong> comes along, change the font. Now the challenges are greater because the browser is becoming the home for almost everything we do. Do you have documents to edit? There's a website for that. Did you miss a television show? There's a website for that. Do you want to announce your engagement? There's a website for that too. The Web browser handles all of that and more.

How long will Microsoft support XP, Vista, and Windows 7?

In an ideal world, old versions of Windows would roll off Microsoft’s list of supported products and be replaced by new ones at regular, predicable intervals. That upgrade cycle has been anything but smooth and predictable in recent years, however. Microsoft’s support policy is still returning to normal after XP was allowed to live well past its normal retirement date and then got multiple extensions to placate customers who just said no to Vista.

Five reasons Windows XP still rules the desktop

Microsoft may tout Windows 7's growth curve, but the truth is that Windows XP rules the desktop, and will do so for many years. The most recent report shows that Windows XP has more than twice the market share of Windows 7 and Windows Vista combined.

Meet Project Vigilant--the Wikileaks leak

Highlighting Project Vigilant's role in outing an alleged Wikileaks source, a Salon.com column warned that the organization's members have "extensive, sophisticated expertise in compiling highly invasive data about individuals' Internet activities." It's been labeled a "shadowy spy group" that's "building dossiers" for the feds.

My First Ever Sex/Tech Story

The Hewlett Packard sex scandal: An instant guide

Mark Hurd, the chief executive of tech giant Hewlett Packard, has resigned over a sex scandal involving a softcore porn actress. What happened?

Google, Verizon unveil proposal - not agreement - to help FCC with Net Neutrality

In a post on Google’s Public Policy blog, the companies revealed their vision of how content providers and broadband providers can work together to maintain an open Internet while also allowing technology to flourish.

Coffeehouses unplugging Internet access to reconnect with customers

Coffee shops were the retail pioneers of Wi-Fi, flipping the switch to lure customers. But now some owners are pulling the plug. They're finding that Wi-Fi freeloaders who camp out all day nursing a single cup of coffee are a drain on the bottom line. Others want to preserve a friendly vibe and keep their establishments from turning into "Matrix"-like zombie shacks where people type and don't talk. 

Find Out What Windows Error Codes Mean

I’m sure you’ve all experienced it at some stage or another. You’re just quietly working away on your PC and all is well, suddenly you get the cringing error sound and then a window pops up with a great big red X. In the window is a whole bunch of numbers and letters, an error code.

Best Free Online Applications and Services

Online applications (also known as web applications or webware) are getting more popular, particularly when broadband Internet access has become more common and readily available to more users. With online applications and services, you do not need to download and install them into your computer for using them—you just need to open up a browser and access them online.

Friday Follies for Nerds

MS Patch Tuesday heads-up: 14 bulletins, 34 vulnerabilitie

Microsoft is planning a very busy Patch Tuesday this month: 14 bulletins with patches for 34 vulnerabilities in Windows, Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, SQL and Silverlight.

Report: In IE8, Web ads won out over privacy

Efforts to build Microsoft's Internet Explorer 8 with more robust privacy settings were reportedly stifled by the needs of online advertisers to track user activity, according to a story in Monday's Wall Street Journal.

How to Buy a Laptop

Shopping for a laptop, but completely baffled by the myriad options available on the market? We clear through the clutter to guide you to your perfect laptop.

ClickTV - Ditch Cable TV and Watch Shows When you Want

Let's face it, cable TV service is not exactly cheap and if you want to time-shift your TV shows you have to either rent a special box from your cable provider or pay for another service with a box like TIVO. Thankfully, there are other ways to watch TV without having to pay for cable TV. As long as you have an Internet connection you can go to network sites like ABC.com and NBC.com to see some of your favorite shows. And now, we've released a new utility called ClickTV that lets you watch your favorite shows whenever you want.

Free Audio Books Online

This is a listing of 64 sites that legally offer free audio books, either for online listening or for download.

Tips and Tricks for Windows 7 and Google

Windows 7 Overtakes Windows Vista!

Yes, it’s here, the day that Microsoft has longed for ever since the first reviews of Windows Vista came in. Windows 7 has finally managed to overtake Windows Vista in terms of market share, 10 months after its release. While Windows 7 may still have a long way to go before it surpasses Windows XP, it’s definitely heading in the right direction to do so.

50 Ways to Make the Most of Windows 7

Microsoft's latest OS is rich in features and performance, but there's always room for improvement. Try these tips to optimize your system.

Windows 7 Addons: Fill in the Missing Features

Windows doesn't do everything it should or we'd like, but that's OK. This collection of free programs adds the features Microsoft left out.

Gmail Users Can Now Sign In To Multiple Accounts

Google has added a feature that lets Gmail users sign into multiple e-mail accounts from the same browser. Google's new feature also works with Google Calendar, Google Reader, Google Sites and others. The new Gmail feature is turned off by default, but once activated, Gmail users get a drop-down menu.

How to Migrate Your Entire Google Account to a New One

Whether you finally decided to shed sassyhacker957@gmail.com for a more professional handle or you want to swap Google accounts for less embarrassing reasons, Google doesn't have a built-in system for migrating your data to a new account. So we figured it out.

Fix For Windows Shortcut Security Flaw Due Out Today

Microsoft to release fix for Windows Shortcut flaw on Monday

Microsoft has announced plans to release of an out-of-band update today to address the Windows Shortcut flaw revealed less than two weeks ago. The software giant has been keeping a close watch on the use of .LNK files exploiting the vulnerability and has concluded that it needs to act faster than usual. This flaw affects all versions of Windows.

iPhone 4 antenna woes "significantly worse" than competition

A UK consulting firm says its tests show the "death grip" problem is real, and "significantly" worse for the iPhone 4 than other smartphones. A review from Norway is less critical, suggesting the iPhone 4 gets better signal than competing phones and may be victim to AT&T's less "robust" wireless network.

Raising the stakes in social gaming

The companies that make games with names like Sorority Life, FarmVille, and Pet Society have become some of the most sought-after in the digital-media industry, and now huge companies are starting to take sides. We already knew that there was a lot of money being thrown around in social gaming, but now it's evident that there's far more money at stake even than that. Billions of dollars, even.

Five Best Book Recommendation Services

It's disappointing to haul a book home from the library or shell out hard-earned cash at the bookstore only to settle in at home and find you don't enjoy it one bit. Stock your reading list with these five great recommendation services.

Microsoft OneNote - Download the standalone trial version for OneNote 2010

OneNote is my favorite Microsoft program and probably the most used software on all my computers. Basically, it is a place where you can collect all your information in one place. Collect text, images, drawings, ideas Web pages and much more, all in one place. Although it is available on all versions of Office 2010, now you can download a standalone 60 trial version to try out for free. Warning...if you use it, you will want to buy it.

New Kindle Coming Your Way for $139

Amazon unveils new Kindle; Assessing the e-reader fallout

With the latest Kindle, Amazon is looking to take the offensive on pricing. Barnes & Noble’s recent price cut put Amazon on its heels a bit. Now Amazon is launching a Wi-Fi-only Kindle for $139, $10 cheaper than the Wi-Fi-only Nook. A 3G/Wi-Fi Kindle will run you $189. There is also a sharp Kindle cover that includes a built-in reading light that runs off of the device’s battery, but that’ll set you back $59.99.

iPhone 4 antenna woes "significantly worse" than competition

A UK consulting firm says its tests show the "death grip" problem is real, and "significantly" worse for the iPhone 4 than other smartphones. A review from Norway is less critical, suggesting the iPhone 4 gets better signal than competing phones and may be victim to AT&T's less "robust" wireless network.

10 tweaks to make Office 2010 work the way you want

The latest version of Microsoft Office has some nice new features and usability improvements, but for many of us, the default settings just don’t do the trick. As good as Office 2010 is, you can make it better by customizing configuration settings and installing a few add-ins. In this article, we’ll look at 10 ways you can make your Office 2010 experience a better one.

Five Best Book Recommendation Services

It's disappointing to haul a book home from the library or shell out hard-earned cash at the bookstore only to settle in at home and find you don't enjoy it one bit. Stock your reading list with these five great recommendation services.

Best Free Download Manager

Good download managers also allow you to start several concurrent download sessions from available resources for the one file. This works by splitting the file into parts with each part downloaded at the same time from the various resources. At the end the file is then re-assembled. This can result in dramatic improvements in download speed given a transmission speed limited by internet service providers.

More Trouble for Folks with Something to Hide

WikiLeaks Vows To Put More Documents Online

WikiLeaks has been posting sensitive information to the web since 2006, passing along transcripts, secret videos and more. Now, in the wake of the latest scandal involving reports on Afghanistan, its founder, Julian Assange, pledges to keep posting, fearing only that the group won't be able to "do justice" to the material it's getting in.

Augen's $150 Android tablet hits Kmart circular, coming to stores later this week

We can't say we've heard of Augen before, but the company certainly sparked our interest (and that of Kmart circular readers) this weekend with its $149.99 7-inch Android tablet. Oh yes, you heard right shoppers -- the small Florida-based shop is bringing an Android 2.1 tablet with WiFi, 2GB of storage and 256MB of RAM to a store near you for just 150 buckaroos.

Firefox's next big innovation: A new OS-like interface

During 2010, Firefox has had much of its momentum as an alternative Web browser stolen by Google Chrome. However, a new Firefox innovation called Tab Candy will make Firefox act more like a operating system, with much-improved multitasking and sharing capabilities. In fact, if the Firefox team can pull off all of the features of Tab Candy that it recently demonstrated, it would leapfrog Chrome in functionality.

Sunbird: Your Calendar, Your Way

Computerized calendars are all about convenience. Your calendar app -- perhaps more than any other type of software -- has to work the way you need it. Mozilla's Sunbird gives you customization options for the interface as well as a rich set of under-the-hood controls for setting up where, how and when the application gets its information.

123 Free Solitaire 2009 - Free

As nostalgic as the image of the classic green Solitaire may be, 123 Free Solitaire 2009 7.1 offers the same fun plus more games and sleeker looks.

Secret Afgan War Files Go Public: It Ain’t Pretty

Wikileaks releases massive set of Afghan war files

Wikileaks, the document-leaking organization that has previously released internal U.S. military videos, on Sunday disclosed more than 75,000 confidential files related to the war in Afghanistan. About 76,900 of the files--which the group calls the "Afghan War Diary"--appeared on Wikileaks.org at around 4 p.m. PDT. Wikileaks says it has delayed the release of an additional 15,000 files to allow names and other sensitive information to be removed.

Apple, No. 1 in security holes, report says

In its recently released half year report, Danish security firm Secunia found that Apple surpassed Oracle this year as the software developer with the most vulnerabilities.

Surprising Poll Finds Most iPhone Users Like AT&T

Amid complaints about AT&T's iPhone service that have prompted speculation about rivals T-Mobile or Verizon Wireless getting the iPhone, a poll has found that most iPhone users like AT&T. The author of the Yankee Group study said the results may be more of a reflection on Apple than AT&T. Comedians have had fun with complaints about AT&T.

Use the Reliability Monitor to Find What's Wrong with Your PC

Windows has had a Performance Monitor since the earliest days of NT, but with Windows Vista, Microsoft added a great new utility, the Reliability Monitor, which tracks the overall reliability of your PC over time, keeping up to a year of PC use history. In Vista, the Performance Monitor and Reliability Monitor were part of a combined tool. But now, in Windows 7, they live as separate tools. You can access the Reliability Monitor, shown here, by typing relia into Start Menu Search.

Free Fonts

Want Free Fonts to use on your projects and designs? Look through our free font downloads here. We have files for both the PC and MAC computers so nobody is left out except Linux. Use these fonts on your photoshop, illustrator or any graphics software package you use.

Friday Errata…But Still Interesting

TrueCrypt levels up: Hardware acceleration, convenience improvements

There's no killer feature update to TrueCrypt 7 as there was in version 6. Still, the latest revision to the popular open-source and free encryption program for Windows, Mac, and Linux debuts some new features and security enhancements that make it worth the upgrade.

Adobe Photoshop CS5 Review

The latest version of Photoshop offers a huge number of updates and new features—large and small—so I’m going to concentrate on the standard version of Photoshop CS5 and its photo-centric features. Two factors that may affect whether or not you use Photoshop are cost and a misperception that this program is only for professionals.

Microsoft debuts beta of new Security Essentials

The new engine is smarter at detecting and removing security threats and offers a better performance, according to a Microsoft blog. The software also now integrates directly with Windows Firewall and gives users the option to turn the firewall on or off.

Windows Live shares your Messenger contacts

Anticipating its "Wave 4" Windows Live rollout of new Hotmail and Messenger apps, Microsoft made sweeping changes in how it connects you with its latest social-networking construct. With the new Live format, Microsoft pays a great deal of lip service to maintaining your privacy; but my tests show you can't trust what you see on the screen.

CintaNotes 1.1c (Windows), from Cinta Software

A free, lightweight and user-friendly personal notes manager. CintaNotes is your essential assistant in the daily task of organizing information, such as your own thoughts and ideas, article excerpts, blog postings, quotes from famous people, research data, curious facts, Wikipedia entries, you name it.

Facebook Now One of the Largest Countries in the World

Facebook's half-billion milestone is official

One of the most hyped and least surprising tech industry milestones of the past few years is finally official: Facebook announced midmorning on Wednesday that it has reached 500 million active users around the world, an unprecedented number for a social-networking site.

Amazon Sells More E-Books Than Hardcover Copies

The introduction of Apple's iPad appears to have had little effect on Amazon.com's sales of Kindle e-readers. In fact, Kindle sales grew each month in the second quarter as Amazon lowered the price. And Amazon reports customers are buying more e-books than hard covers. An analyst predicted the decline of brick-and-mortar bookstores.

Microsoft says Windows 7 Service Pack 1 due in first half 2011

Let me say upfront that this statement doesn’t necessarily mean that Microsoft won’t deliver SP1 this year. The Windows team is still chanting the underpromise/overdeliver mantra. With recent Windows releases, the team has provided estimated delivery dates that were considerably later than what they expected they could achieve, in order to make sure there were no (public) missed ship dates.

Chrome 6: What made the cut--and what missed it

Want the ability to print preview in Chrome? Me, too. But we'll have to wait, because it's one of the features that didn't make the Chrome 6 cut.

Duplicate Cleaner - Find Duplicate Files

Duplicate cleaner is a useful program to help you organize the contents of your home hard drive or corporate network. You'd be surprised just how many redundant or duplicate files you could find forgotten in an obscure documents folder. Duplicate Cleaner will deep scan for all types of files - photos, music, films/video, Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, text files - you name it, if it appears twice on your computer then Duplicate Cleaner will find it.

Why You Should Be Using LastPass

Steve Gibson is the one man I trust for security information. He runs a company called GRC (Gibson Research Corporation) at GRC.com.  There, he offers free programs and advice to test the security of your computer. My favorite is “Shields Up” that checks the security of your router.

Steve also does a weekly podcast called “Security Now” with Leo LaPorte on Leo’s TWIT network. Last week, Steve did an in-depth study of a free browser add-on called “LastPass.” And when I say in-depth, I mean really in-depth. Steve studied it for a long time, dissecting it every which way and pronounced it safe to use and recommended that everyone use it to store their passwords.

Your passwords are the weakest link in the security of your computer and your privacy. Too many of us use the same password on almost every site. Many are easily cracked. We use the name of a spouse, a child, a dog, or a word that can be found in the dictionary. Many have way too few characters. And yes, I have been guilty of this in past myself.  These kind of passwords are easily cracked…and could open up your life to identity theft.

A good password, according to Steve, should be 10 characters long, have upper and lower case letters, include some numbers and should not be words found in a dictionary…in other words, gibberish.  If you do that, the number of permutations would be on the order of 7.6 x 10¹⁷.  To put that number in perspective, that would be approximately the number of yards in a light-year. Good luck trying to guess that kind of password.

Of course, the problem with this kind of password is trying to remember it. LastPass will do it for you. Not only that, when you go to a Web site for the first time and create a login, LastPass will offer to generate random passwords for you of any specified length and store them for you. When you back to that Web site, the program will automatically pop-up and log you in. How far you want LastPass to go is up to you. LastPass is extremely intuitive.

But, how safe is LastPass? It is so safe that even the parent company doesn’t know your passwords. They are stored on their servers in the cloud using a random method of encryption that is between you and your computer. No employee of LastPass can retrieve it. I have set LastPass on my laptops to automatically log off LastPass if my browser has not been used for an hour, so if my laptop is stolen, they cannot get at my passwords.

Another great feature of LastPass is automatic form filling. I filled out a long form on LastPass that has all my personal data, and when I run into a form on the Net that must be filled out, LastPass pops up and asks if you want it filled out.  Again, it is very intuitive.

I have been using LastPass for sometime now, but even I did not know about many of its features until I listened to Steve’s podcast.  If you would like to hear Steve’s analysis of LastPass, check out the podcast on the TWIT Network site.  Skip ahead to approximately the last hour of the show.  I warn you that Steve is very detail oriented and might lose you sometimes in the details, but if he says it is good…believe him.

Even if you don’t listen to him, check out LastPass and add it to your browser’s add-on’s.  It works with almost all browsers.  And it is free.

This Was Not Apple’s Best Day

Apple's 'Antennagate' mea culpa - free case until Sept 30

After being dogged by problems with the iPhone 4, Apple today held a press conference announcing what it hopes will solve the problem for good. As the NYTimes predicted, Apple didn’t issue a sweeping recall. Instead I can summarize Apple’s response in five words “free case until September 30.”

Apple was warned about iPhone 4 antenna issues

Possible reception problems with the iPhone 4 were raised early in the design process by Apple’s antenna expert, according to a Bloomberg report Thursday. A carrier partner also issued some red flags about possible antenna problem.

Whoopi Goldberg smashes up her iPhone 4

As the iPhone 4 is tossed in the winds, real and imaginary, of public relations, one of America's most influential commentators admitted she had assaulted, nay, "murdered," her new iPhone.

What to do with passwords once you create them

Cryptography expert Bruce Schneier used to write his passwords down on a slip of paper and keep it in his wallet. Today, he uses a free Windows password-storage tool called Password Safe that he designed five years ago and released into the open-source community. The desktop application lets users remember only one master password to access their password list. I prefer LastPass as its cross platform and has so many options to help you out. Totally safe...even LastPass employees have no access to your passwords.

Connect to Any PC Remotely with Team Viewer

Microsoft left out of the Home Premium versions Vista and Windows 7 the ability to remotely connect to another PC. That feature is only available in the Professional and higher versions of Windows. But why pay extra to upgrade when you can get get the same capabilities using a free remote connect utility. Indeed our Hot Finds editor has a particular favorite which he feels is even better than Microsoft's Windows Remote Desktop program.

A Little News and a Few Tips

Music Moguls Helping to Make Lawyers Rich

RIAA forks out $64 million to catch music pirates, recovers just $1.3 million in 3 years

Microsoft Office 2010 sales on the slow side

Analyst firm NPD Group says sales of Office 2010 have been disappointing to date. Yes, sales so far are roughly in line with those of Office 2007 right now, but it’s selling more slowly than Office 2007 did at launch three years ago.

Data Security - Outlook Links To Facebook, Windows Live Messenger

Facebook and Windows Live Messenger have been added to the Outlook Social Connector in Office 2010. Plug-ins allow the 2003 and 2007 Office versions to use the Outlook Social Connector from the in-box. Microsoft expects to add more social links to Outlook Social Connector. Status updates and photos display with e-mail.

Phone Scoop

Looking for a new cell phone? Check out this Website to find the exact right phone for you before you head to the store. Enter your needs and see the phones that could work for you. Very good info here also.

How to Stay Safe on Public Wi-Fi Networks

Starbucks is offering free Wi-Fi to all customers at every location. Whether you're clicking connect on Starbucks' Wi-Fi or some other unsecured, public Wi-Fi network, here's how to stay safe and secure while surfing a public hotspot. You truly need to read this if you are using a public Wi-Fi.

Consumer Reports Backs Off of iPhone Recommendation

Consumer Reports: 'We were wrong about the iPhone 4"

One of — if not the — most respected product-testing labs has reversed its original positive opinion of the iPhone 4, citing results of its comprehensive testing of the Jobsian handheld's pesky antenna.

Patch Tuesday Will Fix Flaws in XP, Windows 7, Servers

July's light Patch Tuesday will fix remote-code vulnerabilities in Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows Server versions. The four bulletins will also patch Microsoft Office, especially a flaw in Outlook. Security researchers are irked by Google engineer Tavis Ormandy, who gave Microsoft just five days to fix the Windows XP vulnerability.

Peer into Firefox's future in latest beta

Mozilla released the first beta for Firefox 4 on Tuesday, introducing a new interface design to a wider Windows audience, support for multiple technologies that aim to be essential to Web browsing in the future, and a plan for updates far more aggressive than those of the past. Check out the video to see all the changes in the user interface. You will be surprised.

How to Buy a Desktop PC Roundup

When buying a Desktop PC, you still need to make some choices when it comes to CPUs, memory, hard drive capacity and graphics technology. The good news is your money has never gone further.

25 great games you can play on a Netbook

So you finally broke down and purchased a Netbook. After all, these low-cost, low-power laptops are great for tossing in your bag, working at the coffee shop, or taking to class. You knew all along that these systems were not made for gaming, and obviously you planned to spend all your time doing Netbook-like things, such as Web surfing and working on office documents. Still, somewhere along the way, the thought crept in: maybe I can find some games that will run on an Intel Atom processor and integrated graphics.

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?