Privacy is Dead: How Corporations Learn All About You

This is a great information-packed edition of Rants and Raves…trust me. With so much happening in Japan after a 9.0 earthquake, the Internet is still running there. And there is a fabulous, but scary article from Time Magazine on how companies know all about you and me from info gleaned from the Internet. And be sure and check out the high resolution photos from Mars.  Absolutely amazing. - JRC

Surviving Disaster: Japan’s Internet

In the grand scheme of things, the fact that the Internet has, by and large, kept working in Japan despite earthquakes, tsunami, and potential nuclear reactor meltdowns, is very small. But perhaps it isn’t really that minor when you consider that for hundreds of millions of people wanting to know if friends and family are well, a simple e-mail, instant-message, or even a Facebook update can spell the difference between hours or days of worry and the relief of at least knowing their loved ones’ fate.

Data Mining: How Companies Know Your Personal Information

Three hours after I gave my name and e-mail address to Michael Fertik, the CEO of Reputation.com, he called me back and read my Social Security number to me. "We had it a couple of hours ago," he said. "I was just too busy to call." In the past few months, I have been told many more-interesting facts about myself than my Social Security number. I've gathered a bit of the vast amount of data that's being collected both online and off by companies in stealth — taken from the websites I look at, the stuff I buy, my Facebook photos, my warranty cards, my customer-reward cards, the songs I listen to online, surveys I was guilted into filling out and magazines I subscribe to.

Obama "IP czar" wants felony charges for illegal Web streaming

The Obama administration wants to make sure that the illegal streaming of music and movies over the Internet is a felony, and it also wants to give the federal government wiretap authority in copyright cases. Another case of the government doing the bidding of the entertainment industry.

Apple iPad 2: Who should buy and who should pass

Nobody in the technology business does a better job than Apple of convincing people that they need to buy the next shiny new thing. However, despite the product magnetism of Steve Jobs and company, not everyone who thinks they need or want the new iPad 2 should actually buy it.

Best Mars Images From Orbiter’s First 5 Years

Since settling into orbit around the Red Planet on March 10, 2006, MRO has transmitted more data to Earth - 131 trillion bits and more than 70,000 images so far -- than all other interplanetary missions combined. Here are some of the best ones. For more, check out the HiRise mission site from the University of Arizona.

IE9 is Here, Except for XP Users

The new Internet Explorer 9 arrives today and it may be there fastest browser ever. Much of its speed is derived from the creative use of your hardware, something that the other browsers have yet to do (but will). I have used it and like it, but probably won’t make me change over from Chrome and Firefox, which I still dearly love.

But the most interesting part of this new browser is that it is not made to run on XP…in fact there are some parts of it that don’t work well for Vista. The clear message is from Microsoft…update to Windows 7, or be left in the dust. This is not the first application that is not made to run on XP. The latest versions Windows Live programs will also not run on XP. And quite frankly, it is worth getting Windows 7…it is so superior.

And here is another little tidbit for you based on test results I have seen.  If you are running 64 bit Windows 7 or Vista, you want to get the 32 bit version of IE9. Surprisingly, the 64 bit IE9 does not run as fast as the 32 bit.  It’s a little tricky to do, but this article will tell you how. - JRC

Internet Explorer 9 arrives, but not for XP

The training wheels have come off of the latest version of Internet Explorer, as Microsoft unleashes version 9 of the world's most heavily used browser this evening at an event at the South by Southwest Interactive Festival (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. Internet Explorer 9 (download after 9 p.m. PT) debuts to the public not only as the fastest, most standards-compliant version of IE yet, but also as one that can stand up and compete on features and looks with Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, and the Opera browser.

Gmail tries again with smart labels

In Gmail, I love labels. I set up filters to apply labels to incoming e-mail so it's automatically deleted, archived, sorted as travel-related, flagged as important in various ways, or organized by senders I care about.

Google wakes up to new photo reality

Now, photos are becoming an in-the-moment part of people's online social lives, notably with Net-connected smartphones and Facebook sharing with friends. Picasa Web Albums--never a product that advanced at blazing speed--is beginning to adapt to this era. Perhaps Google's success with its Android operating system has made the company more aware of just how far the world has moved from the shoebox-of-prints-in-the-closet days.

The best social networking add-ons for all your browsers

Wouldn't it be great if there were some add-ons and extensions that could make light work of your surprisingly busy social networking lifestyle? Even if you only use Facebook or Twitter, there are still plenty of annoyances that could be offloaded to add-ons. Guess what...there are!

Fresh Diagnose 8.51 (Windows)

Fresh Diagnose analyzes and benchmarks your computer system. It can handle many types of hardware, including CPUs, hard disks, video systems, and mainboards. Use this free software to learn more about your computer and its components. Free, of course.

Two Browsers Fall to Hackers in Seconds

Very shortly after I release this blog to the world, Apple will release the iPad2 for general sale. Already there is a long line at the Apple Store in Manhattan. Is this new pad from Apple as good as Steve Jobs says it is? Read the PC Mag review and find out for yourself.

I always look forward to the annual hack-a-thon for browsers to see which ones are the most secure and which are the least. It didn’t take long to find out. Apple’s Safari was cracked in five seconds…IE8 shortly thereafter. Makes me glad I use Chrome and Firefox. Enjoy your weekend. - JRC

Internet Explorer and Safari first to fall at annual hack-a-thon, Chrome and Firefox still standing

Pwn2Own, the annual three-day browser hack-a-thon, has already claimed its first two victims: IE8 on Windows 7 64-bit, and Safari 5 on Mac OS X. Google Chrome looks set to survive for its third year in a row. Internet Explorer 8 was thoroughly destroyed by independent researcher Stephen Fewer. Safari 5, running on a MacBook Air, was compromised in just five seconds by French security company Vupen. Both attackers netted $15,000 for successfully compromising a browser.

Apple iPad 2 (Wi-Fi + 3G) Review & Ratings

Considering all the coverage we've given this super-slim device, the review and PCMag's conclusion about Apple's second tablet should come as no surprise: With the iPad 2, Apple maintains its tablet lead. This product is fast enough, thin enough, smart enough and, now, feature-rich enough to satisfy almost any tablet shopper. If however you still need Flash or demand at least a 5 MP camera on all your tablets, look elsewhere.

Will Windows XP Really Die On Cue?

Microsoft says Windows XP support ends in 2014, but can they stick to their guns?

Make the most of Windows 7's Libraries

Libraries — special-purpose virtual folders — can be confusing at first. But they are extremely handy, once you get the hang of them. How to use Libraries is hard to describe but easier to understand when you see them in action — and that's what this article will show you.

SETI app taps your smartphone to hunt for E.T.

Move over, Twitter. Drop dead, Angry Birds. There's a new mobile app that does more than let people play around on their smartphones--it allows them to join the quest for signs of intelligent life in the universe. The SETI Institute is launching a private beta test beginning today of SetiQuest Explorer in the hopes that hobby astronomers will help with tasks that can't be done well by computers. The app runs on Android 2.2 but will be available on the iPhone this summer. There is also a desktop version for any computer running Flash Player 10.2.

A Big Day for Browsers

What an amazing series of coincidences…all three of the most popular Web browsers in the world made headline news. First, Chrome released its latest, Version 10 today to rave reviews. Next, Microsoft will be releasing its newest browser, Internet Explore, Ver. 9 on Monday. And finally, Mozilla released its Firefox 4 Release Candidate, the last step before the final version hits the streets.

I went to download Chrome 10 today and found it has already been installed. Chrome does that, which is fine by me. I should say that if you have not tried Chrome before, now is a great time to do so. I have been using Chrome and Firefox on a 50/50 basis for some time now, and Chrome just keeps getting better. This new one is fast…trust me on that. I will probably wait on Firefox till the final version is out, but I will be updating Internet Explorer next week for sure. I have been using a Release Candidate of IE9 for some time now and while it is the best version ever of IE, I will probably stick with the other two for regular use. - JRC

Chrome 10: Close to a perfect Web Browser 10

I’ve liked the Google Chrome Web browser since it first showed up in 2008. Today, with the slipstream release of Chrome 10, I may finally be ready to retire all my other Web browsers. The reason I’m considering doing this is quite simple. Chrome 10 is screamingly fast.

Microsoft to launch Internet Explorer 9 Monday at SXSWi

Microsoft will be formally launching the next version of its Internet Explorer browser, IE9, at the South by Southwest Interactive Festival (SXSWi) on Monday--an interesting place to launch, given that the Austin, Texas, geek fest is packed full of the hordes who have long since ditched Internet Explorer for the decidedly hipper pastures of Firefox, Safari, or Chrome.

Amazon considering free Kindles for Prime members?

There are more rumors fluttering around Seattle that at some point, likely the holiday season of 2011, Amazon will start giving away its Kindle e-book reader for free, likely to select (as in Prime) members. And as the e-book market expands, the possibility is looking more and more likely.

Will Apple outgrow its reputation as an elitist brand?

During the past year, Apple’s ascent to becoming the world’s largest technology company has raised a number of important questions about the current state of the tech world and its future trajectory. But, the most prescient question for 2011 is whether Apple has committed to moving beyond its stronghold as a premium technology brand to become a computing vendor for the masses.

Personal Activity Monitor tracks time you spend using desktop apps

Want to know how much time you spend in front of your computer and what programs you use for how long? This may be just the simple program you need. And of course, its free.

Microsoft: Patch Tuesday Tomorrow and Bye Bye Vista?

It’s time for another patch Tuesday…boy does the time fly by. But even more in the news is the scheduled shutdown of support for Vista users with SP1. Yes, they will still support those folks with SP2 installed…but the underlying story here is that there will be no more Service Packs for Vista and that its days are numbered. Hope your week is a good one - JRC

Microsoft Dropping Support For Vista SP1.

If you still have computers running Windows Vista, now is the time to make sure they're updated to SP2 - or better, just go ahead and upgrade them to Windows 7. Microsoft will be ending support for Vista SP1 in July, and that means no more security patches for the OS.

MS Patch Tuesday heads-up: Critical flaws in Windows, Office

Microsoft has announced plans to ship three security bulletins this month to cover at least four serious vulnerabilities in all supported versions of the Windows operating system. According to an advance notice from Redmond, one of the bulletins will be rated “critical” while the rest will carry an “important” rating. All three bulletins cover issues that could lead to remote code execution attacks, Microsoft said.

Android Devices Pull Ahead in U.S. Smartphone Race

Apple's iOS and Research In Motion's BlackBerry lagged behind Google's Android mobile operating system through January, Nielsen says. Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 was behind despite buy-one-get-one offers at both AT&T and T-Mobile. Nielsen found Android most popular among ages 18-34, with Apple ahead in the 65 and above demographic.

10 Tips for Data Privacy

You undoubtedly know that cybercriminals gather personal data to steal identities and money. Users can suffer damage to their personal credit and even jeopardy to their physical safety. But you might not know that most cybercriminals sell your data to other criminals.

Angry Birds landing on Facebook in under a month

The phenomenally successful Angry Birds is heading to the world's largest social network. Yep that's right, productivity is going to take a massive hit, because Rovio is bringing Angry Birds to Facebook. I play Angry Birds on my new Droid X Phone and it is addictive...trust me on that one.

More Info on the iPad 2

I normally don’t cover a new product with so much in-depth coverage, much less Apple products, but the iPad product line is such an overwhelming success and so many people are desirous of owning this new type of computing device that I thought I should make a little more info available to my readers. Even I am thinking about one for myself, but will probably wait for the next version.

The new Xoom tablet by Motorola, featuring Android 3.0, is also out and has received decent reviews so far, but it is only available through either Verizon or AT&T…no Wi-Fi like the iPad. Since I don’t feel like being ripped off by expensive cell phone rates, I have excluded the Xoom from my want-list. But as soon as a credible testing lab can test both products, I will publish the results here. The tablet market is growing in leaps and bounds, but is still in its infancy. So stay tuned. - JRC

iPad vs. iPad 2 - What's changed?

A lot of people are asking me for a rundown of the differences between the original iPad and the new iPad 2 unveiled yesterday. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s changed, and what hasn’t changed.

Five things the iPad 2 didn't get

There are five specific things Apple could have added but didn't. We're going to break down what they are and what impact they'd have on the product: They are good ones too, and makes me believe that iPad1 owners will not upgrade until the next iPad release.

Should you install Windows 7 Service Pack 1?

Everything I’ve seen since then suggests that there are no widespread issues with Service Pack 1. Microsoft representatives who have looked into the release have also confirmed for me that they are not seeing any indication of significant issues with the update on Windows 7.

The rise of the 99-cent Kindle e-book

I know what you're saying: that's great news. These publishers have been gouging us with ridiculous pricing for digital files that cost next to nothing to produce (in terms of material costs) and finally we're starting to see lots of deals out there. But it's a bit more complicated than that.

Wallpaper Downloader - Free

Wallpaper Downloader is an easy way to adorn your desktop with a multitude of changing images. Unlike some wallpaper applications, this one manages to supply a steady stream of high-quality, attractive photos. This isn't the type of program that we typically like to use ourselves, but we found ourselves enjoying Wallpaper Downloader quite a bit.

It’s Official: Apple Releases the iPad 2

After all the rumors, Apple today introduced the new iPad 2, a very improved version of the tablet, but perhaps not a real blockbuster. Still does not have the super hi-res screen of an iPhone 4…and it is still more of a consumption device than production device. But it is a definite improvement over the original iPad. It will go on sale on March 11. Look for some great prices on remaining inventory of iPads. It was good to see Steve Jobs in action and not in a hospital. - JRC

The iPad 2 makes its debut

The wait is over for eager Apple fans wanting the next generation iPad. In San Francisco Wednesday, the company took the wraps off the iPad 2. Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who is taking a leave absence from the company, returned to unveil the new product, which is expected to be a hot seller. As expected, the new tablet has two front-facing cameras and is faster with dual-core processors, which just about double CPU performance and make the graphics speed 9 times faster, while using the same power as the processor from the first iPad. It's thinner than the older model. It went from 13.4mm for the old iPad to 8.8mm in thickness on the new one. And it works not only on AT&T's 3G network, but also Verizon Wireless's 3G network.

Google still working to restore Gmail service

Two days after tens of thousands of Google Gmail users discovered their email, chat histories, and contacts had disappeared from their accounts, the problem still is not fixed. Google announced Monday night that the Gmail issue, which struck some users on Sunday, was caused by a bug in a storage software update. While Google had said Monday afternoon that the issue would be resolved for all users within 12 hours, the company now says that the problem has not been fixed but hopes it will be "soon."

Data from CIA shows massive Internet Explorer gain, and largest Firefox loss ever

The CIA has released new figures for the number of Internet-connected users around the world. Developing countries like India, China and Brazil have gained hundreds of millions of new netizens, helping Internet Explorer post its first market share gain since July 2010. It now sits at 56.77% of the market, up 0.77%. Firefox, which has always relied on its stronghold of Europe, has seen its largest loss ever, losing over 1% of its market share in a single month.

Best Buy's Buy Back Program Is Unsurprisingly Not a Good Deal

Best Buy's Buy Back Program Is Unsurprisingly Not a Good DealIf for some reason you thought Best Buy Buy Back—a trade-in program in which you pay Best Buy up front for the guarantee that they'll buy back your gear for a pittance down the line—was a profitable way to get rid of your old gadgets, let Digital Trends disabuse you. They ran the numbers and found that you're potentially losing hundreds by selling your gadgets to the retailer instead of flipping them online.

Avast wants you playing in its sandbox

New security features designed to keep its more than 110 million users safe debut in Avast 6, released today exclusively from CNET Download.com. They also have the added benefit of raising the competitive bar in computer security by pushing more and better free options to users. Avast Free Antivirus 6, Avast Pro Antivirus 6, and Avast Internet Security 6 all feature the new AutoSandbox and the WebRep browser add-on.

Google to Lower Garbage Count in Searches

All eyes are posed on San Francisco this week…Apple is holding a large press conference to announce something new.  The rumor mill is in high gear with all kinds of speculation…is it the new iPhone 5, a new iPad, or yet something else? Frankly I think Apple starts most of these rumors to build up interest.  Whatever it is, we will have for you on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Google is on a mission to give you higher quality search results and less garbage. I applaud that, for sure. And were you aware the Internet will have to change from IPV4 to IPV6? What’s that you say? What is it? Actually its extremely important, so if you are curious, read the article below. - JRC

Google search to reward high-quality sites

With the latest changes to its search algorithm, Google is aiming to reward Web sites that offer original, in-depth content at the same time that it penalizes those that simply borrow content from others. Rolled out this week, the changes will help ensure that sites considered to be of "high quality" will rank higher in Google's search results, while those deemed of "low quality" will get dumped lower in the ranks. Google is clearly looking to crack down on "content farms," sites that purposely tailor their pages with content that often makes little to no sense but is loaded with keywords and other information designed solely to generate a huge number of hits.

Shoddy Web experiences driving users from the mobile Internet

According to the results of a recent survey by Antenna Software, poor experiences are deterring users from surfing the mobile Web via their Internet-enabled smartphones. Device makers, Web designers, and mobile service providers alike have their work cut out for them to make the mobile Internet experience more affordable and appealing.

The New Internet Protocols: What Users Should Know

IPv6 has been introduced, allowing a previously impossible variety of Internet addresses to be used now that the supply of useable addresses governed by the IPv4 standard has been exhausted. But what does this change mean for everyday surfers? Most computers will be able to process the new standard, but an IPv6-capable OS is needed.

So Many Online Coupon Sites, So Little Time

Groupon thrives on a simple concept: It posts one deal a day for local restaurants, bars and other businesses, and visitors have 24 hours to sign up for the deal. Now a flurry of copycat services have popped up, including LivingSocial, Scoutmob, DailyCandy Deals and Gilt City. How do the contenders stack up against the original daily-coupon king?

TweakNow PowerPack 2011 3.0.1 (Windows) - Free

TweakNow PowerPack is a fully-integrated suite of utilities that lets you fine-tune every aspect of your computer's operating system and Web browser. The Registry Cleaner module provides you with a safe and simple way to clean Windows Registry. To keep your computer always at top performance, we recommend to clean your registry at least once a month. For Windows tweaking lovers, the suite provides more than 100 hidden Windows settings in the Windows Secret section.

Apple Updates Pro Line with Sandy Bridge and Thunderbolt

I know most of my readers are Windows users. So why am I telling you about Apple products here? Well, a few of you might be thinking of moving over to Apple. But the most important part of this story is the inclusion of Intel’s new super high speed Thunderbolt data transfer technology. I hope we get these soon in the PC World.

The other important story here is Windows 7 SP1 release. You won’t see any new bells and whistles but you need to upgrade to it if you use Windows 7. Lots of fixes. I have installed it on all three of my active computers and be aware that it requires about an hour of time to complete its work. Just thought you should know. - JRC

Apple updates MacBook Pro line for 2011

After weeks of a growing chorus of rumors, leaks, and anecdotal evidence, Apple announced a series of updates to its popular MacBook Pro line of laptops. The biggest changes are all under the hood. The entire updated line now offers Intel's latest Sandy Bridge CPUs. Just as significantly, the new MacBook Pros are also the first products to feature Intel's new Thunderbolt technology (formerly known as Light Peak). The Thunderbolt tech is envisioned as a sort of unified successor to USB, FireWire, and DisplayPort, allowing peripherals to hypothetically carry data and video at 10Gbps.

What you need to know about Windows 7 SP1

With Windows 7 Service Pack 1 generally available, Win7 users need to know what SP1 brings — and doesn't bring — to the game. In short, this service pack adds surprisingly little to Windows 7. You'll want to install it — eventually.

Taxes 2010: Four tax prep solutions compared

We've all heard the famous quote before: Nothing is certain in life but death and taxes. And while you could try to avoid your taxes, Uncle Sam is probably going to make your life even more miserable if you do. Rather than suffer the consequences of illegal action, we suggest you get a jump on your taxes with one of the four tax prep solutions we have thoroughly tested out for you.

Searching for Torrents (Torrent Search Sites)

There is a great deal of content available in bittorrent.  There is over 10 PetaBytes of content available in over  10 million plus active torrents.  Finding the content you want within all that is what these torrent search sites are about. This article is also a great introduction for folks who have never used a torrent. 

Taxes 2010: Four tax prep solutions compared

We've all heard the famous quote before: Nothing is certain in life but death and taxes. And while you could try to avoid your taxes, Uncle Sam is probably going to make your life even more miserable if you do. Rather than suffer the consequences of illegal action, we suggest you get a jump on your taxes with one of the four tax prep solutions we have thoroughly tested out for you.

Big Events for Both Microsoft and Apple

For Microsoft, it’s the release of Service Pack One…for Apple, it looks like the new iPad 2 will be announced in early March. That will be interesting…and I wonder how it got leaked. Apple is very secretive and if the leak source is ever found, he or she will be fired.  Of course, the other big question is…will Steve Jobs be there to present it. He is currently on a medical leave of absence.

But two other heavy hitters in the tech world, Amazon and Google, both have interesting stories to tell, both listed below. You never know what is going to show up in this newsletter, so stay tuned… - JRC

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Now Available

Service Pack 1 combines a number of updates and improvements into a single download, so if you haven't been keeping your computer up to date thus far, this one download is a good way to catch up.

Apple to Unveil IPad 2 on March 2 in San Francisco

Apple will hold its much-anticipated event on March 2, where the tech giant seems poised to unveil a new version of its hugely successful iPad, according to multiple sources. Analysts expect the iPad 2 to be thinner than its predecessor and feature an improved display, as well as front-facing camera and Facetime video chat support. And some reports suggest it will be powered by one of Qualcomm’s multimode chips and will run on both GSM and CDMA-based networks around the world.

Amazon Launches Streaming Onslaught Against Netflix

Netflix faces some serious competition as Amazon.com added instant streaming of more than 5,000 movies and TV shows for Amazon Prime members. Amazon's Prime service already offers unlimited two-day shipping for $79 a year. That compares to about $100 a year for Netflix streaming.

Hidden Secrets of the Google Search Box

From math problems and package tracking to flight information and playing music, the humble Google search box is a gateway to knowledge. With a few tips and tricks, you can use Google as a full-fledged calculator, mine local information, get answers to specific questions, find a package or flight, translate foreign words, and much more.

10+ Chrome extensions and Web apps for new users

I've become a big fan of the Chrome Browser. In fact,I use Chrome 50% of the time (the other 50% on Firefox). It is a clean interface and it is fast. It is constantly being updated, but that happens in the background so you don't have to worry about it. Like Firefox, it can use extensions and it now has thousands available to make your browsing experience even better. If you want to give Chrome a spin, here is a list of important extensions you should consider adding to it.

More Apple Antics and Kindle E-book Piracy

Apple Smacks Readability In The Face With Subscription Rules

Readability, a service which takes text on the web and strips out ads and other distractions to make posts more readable, had been planning to bring an app to the iOS platform. In fact, they worked with Instapaper creator Marco Arment to build it. It seems like it would be been a pretty popular app. Except it was rejected on the grounds that it circumvents Apples in-app subscriptions today.

Kindle e-book piracy accelerates

A lot of people think moving away from paper is a good thing. Maybe it is. But what should also be alarming to publishers is that the number of people pirating books is growing along with the number of titles that are available for download. As I've written in the past, the rise of the iPad has spurred some of the pirating, but now the huge success of the Kindle is also leading to increased pirating.

What You Need To Know Upgrading To Windows 7 SP1

Windows 7 SP1 will be available tomorrow. Is there anything that the average PC user will have to do to get the service pack? Not really, it’s a fairly straightforward process for most. Microsoft will be making it available from the Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center. Microsoft recommend that single PC and home PC Users should be using Windows Update instead of the standalone installer from the Microsoft Download Center.

Unlock the power of the Quick Access Toolbar

In just minutes, you can transform Word 2010 and other Office apps from general-purpose tools to custom software with exactly the features and functions you need. Microsoft Word 2010, and all the Office 2010 and Office 2007 mainline applications, share a common interface that's amazingly configurable, once you know the tricks.

Best Free Microsoft Downloads

When people talk about freeware, a lot of times they think about free alternatives to Microsoft products – free office suites, free operating systems, even free alternatives to products that are already included with Windows like Paint, Notepad and Internet Explorer.  However, Microsoft does provide a collection of free software that is definitely worth checking out.  This article is designed to provide an overview of the best free Microsoft programs,

Special Report–Apple’s Puts a Noose on Content Providers

Last week, Apple published new rules about software running on iPads, iPods, and iPhones. While Apple has always controlled what programs will run on these devices, the new rules say that if you have a program that is already approved, such as an e-book reader or music player, you must pay Apple a 30% tax, even if the customer buys source materials directly from the manufacturer.

For example, Amazon has a Kindle Reader program that runs inside of both the iPad and iPod. If I buy an e-book through my Windows-based computer directly from Amazon, it will be available on all my Kindle equipped devices (such as other computers or my Android phone).  Under its new policy, Apple wants a 30% cut from Amazon if I try to read my new book on an iPad. This is just an example as Apple has not officially notified Amazon of this new policy. However, they did turn down an application from Sony for their e-reader software because the purchase of books did not go through Apple.

These new rules apply to music, magazines, newspapers, and books. Apple has always been accused of having a “walled garden” for applications, but now they have made that wall even higher. And they have put a noose around the neck of several music services in competition with Apple’s iTunes store.

As you will see from the last story here, this new policy has already peaked the interest of government anti-trust investigators. Personally, I hope Apple fails in this new policy and that companies boycott Apple for what they are trying to do. Your thoughts are always welcome. - JRC   

How Apple will crush its competition with iTunes Online

Rhapsody. Napster. MOG. Rdio. What do these four music subscription services have in common? Each company survives on monthly subscription revenues. Each one has an iPhone/iPad app that is prominently featured on its home page. Each one offers a free trial that they hope you’ll love and that you’ll convert to a paid subscription when the trial runs out. And under Apple’s new subscription rules, each one will soon be forced to start paying 30% of its revenue for each of those easy, one-click subscriptions it gets through an app on an Apple device. In short, each of those four services has just been torpedoed by Apple. Each one is taking on water.

Apple's subscription plan: Time for an app work stoppage

In a nutshell, Apple wants a 30 percent cut of in-app purchases. If you are a publisher of movies or music this could be a big issue. First, companies like Rhapsody and Netflix pay content owners and then pay Apple another cut for the privilege of being in the App Store.

Apple's luxury tax should spark a showdown with publishers

Just as all of the big content providers were starting to get chummy with Apple and its media savior - the mighty iPad - ol’ Steve Jobs went and pulled a fast one on his new publisher buddies. He changed the rules of the game and hit them with a new revenue-sharing structure that essentially forces publishers who charge subscriptions outside of the app to either cough up a 30 percent tax on subscriptions purchased from inside the app or do business elsewhere.

Report: Apple's subscription plan draws antitrust scrutiny

U.S. antitrust investigators are examining the terms Apple placed this week on publishers wishing to sell digital subscriptions through the App Store, according to a Wall Street Journal report that cited people familiar with the matter. The Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission are interested in whether Apple is violating antitrust laws by routing customers through Apple's App Store and taking a 30 percent cut of each subscription, sources told the newspaper.

Watch Out For Those Solar Flairs

Note: Look for a special edition of Rants and Raves this weekend…devoted entirely to how Apple is trying to throttle it’s competition by demanding money from competitors and even forcing retailers like Amazon to give Apple a 30% commission on books sold for use on the Apple iPad, even though the customer bought the books direct from Amazon. Looks like the government anti-trust folks are getting involved in this one.

Solar Flares Could Affect GPS, Satellites, Power

If your GPS Relevant Products/Services system's performance is a little spotty on Friday, don't call tech Relevant Products/Services support. Blame the sun. Three waves of charged particles that erupted from its corona Sunday, Monday and Tuesday will hit the Earth in the next few days in what scientists are calling the biggest solar event since December 2006.

How IBM's Watson hammered its 'Jeopardy' foes

In the big Jeopardy showdown, the IBM computer Watson, hammered two human Jeopardy champions. Here's how IBM's brainiac works its artificially intelligent magic

Piracy: Everybody Does It; Everything Should Be Free

Pirates are in it for the free stuff, and there are plenty of them: That’s the gist of a new PricewaterhouseCoopers study of consumer attitudes toward piracy. The study asked some 202 self-described pirates about their behavior and the reasons for it. At the top of the list was the fact that pirated content doesn’t actually cost anything. Duh!

250+ Places for Free Books Online

This is a listing of 260 sites that legally offer free books (eBooks) for download or for online viewing. Some time ago I went looking for some free eBooks and was surprised to find that there are many resources for this. I decided to put together this list of sites that offer free eBooks as a reference.

A complete guide to Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts

One of the best ways to increase your computing productivity doesn't cost a cent: learn the keyboard shortcuts for your most-used commands. To help you stop mousing around and become a keyboard maestro, I rounded up the best resources for finding, using, and creating shortcuts.

Mobile Computing Updates Galore…and Private Browsing

My interest in portable devices, ie: cell phone, has shot up recently as I am a brand new owner of a Droid X Phone. I’m still exploring all it can do, and quite frankly, I am totally amazed. In short, I love it. By the way, if you use an Android phone of any type, you might be interested in this list of the best free applications for Android Devices.

The big news for all cell phones and other mobile devices is pouring out of the Mobil World Congress now going on in Barcelona. It’s the most important show for these kinds of devices Be sure and check out the first story. 

Latest Updates from the Mobile World Congress 2011

Want to know the latest info on new cellphones, touch pads, and other wireless devices? The Mobile World Congress is underway in Barcelona...and lots of new products and services announcements are coming down the pike every minute! Check this out to see what might be in your mobile future.

InPrivate Browsing made easy with Internet Explorer 9 pinned sites

InPrivate Browsing is Internet Explorer's answer to Chrome's Incognito and Firefox's Private Browsing. In essence, it gives you a very quick way to surf the Internet without leaving traces of activity on your computer

Dual Boot Your Pre-Installed Windows 7 Computer with XP

So you got your shiny new pre-installed Windows 7 computer over the holidays, but you want to have trusty XP standing by in a dual boot setup. Today we’ll walk through creating a new partition in

How to Develop Your Photography Skills: 11 steps (with pictures)

If you've mastered the basics of framing, shooting, and taking a photograph, try taking it further. Make it a hobby, or maybe even a career, rather than taking the usual holiday, pet, and kid snapshots. It is time to start making stunning, rather than simply passable, photographs.

A Windows Troubleshooting Tool - Free For Non-Commercial Use

While the concept of logging all errors and unexpected events is a good one, Microsoft doesn't make it terribly easy to examine those logs. So if you want something a bit more flexible and powerful, there's a program called Event Log Inspector. You can get it from www.snmpsoft.com. Prices start at $4.99 per PC, for commercial use, but for non-commercial use it's free.

IE9 Protects Your Privacy, Offers Tracking Protection

IE9 and Tracking Protection: Microsoft disrupts the online ad business

Microsoft has just launched a remarkably effective tool to protect your privacy on the web. Using the IE9 RC, it takes exactly two clicks to begin blocking cookies, web beacons, and other third-party tools that track your movements and activities on the web.

Obama pushes for national 4G-speed wireless

President Obama said today he wanted 98 percent of Americans to have 4G-speed wireless Internet connections within five years, calling it necessary for the United States to remain internationally competitive and "win the future." In a speech at Northern Michigan University in snowy Marquette, Mich., Obama offered details on his administration's proposal to promote high-speed wireless Internet connections in rural areas, elaborating on a point he made in his State of the Union speech last month.

Facebook Pages redesign available, takes effect for everyone March 10

Facebook has overhauled Facebook Pages for 2011, so you should be noticing a new look and some new features. If you're a Facebook page admin, you've also got some work to do. On March 10, everyone will be upgraded to the new version of Facebook Pages, but page admins can preview the new layout now, and opt in early.

Should Amazon change how Kindle pages are numbered?

People are passionate about page numbers. Just ask the hundreds of posters in Amazon's Kindle forums who've debated the issue of how Amazon numbers its pages with "locations" on the Kindle and in its Kindle e-book-reading apps. And just ask the readers who've e-mailed me over the years complaining about Amazon's numbering scheme.

LibreOffice 3.3 Now Available - Free

Created as a result of the recent split between Oracle and the OpenOffice.org community, LibreOffice is a brand-new spin on OpenOffice.org that was just released by the Document Foundation. The software includes Writer, its word processor; Calc, a spreadsheet module; Impress, for presentations; Draw, for sketching and diagrams; Base, a database front end; and Math, a simple equation editor.

Guess What Google Calendar Chrome Extension Does?

If you're a Google Calendar user who's also a fan of Chrome, you'll want this excellent, free extension from Google itself: Google Calendar Chrome extension. With it, you'll be able to access your Google Calendar wherever you are on the Web, without having to visit the calendar itself.

Microsoft’s Big Week

It’s been a busy week for tech news…especially for Microsoft. First, they announced the release date for Windows 7 SP1; then they released IE9 RC (pretty much the final version); and finally they announced a partnership with Nokia to include Windows Phone 7 operating system in future Nokia phones.

In other phone news, Verizon officially started selling the iPhone, AT&T announced free calling to all cell phones in the US, HP announced its first cell phones (and tablet) using the WebOS system that they acquired when they bought out Palm…and I switched from T-Mobile to Verizon and purchased a Droid X phone. So far, I love it. By the way, it’s available at Costco for $10.

Just this morning, I downloaded the IE9 RC. Will let you know if I like it.  Most tech journalists have given it rave reviews.  Enjoy your weekend - JRC

Get ready for Windows 7 SP1 - Hits Windows Update on February 22nd | ZDNet

Microsoft has finished work on Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and will begin pushing the update to systems on February 22nd via Windows Update. If you are a TechNet or MSDN subscriber you will be able to get your hands on the code from February 16th.

Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) Release Candidate Review & Rating

The release candidate of IE9 is even faster than the beta, adds more HTML5 support, and it sticks with that software's trimmed down UI, giving the most space to the webpage of any browser. Microsoft has also built in the unique new Tracking Protection feature for added privacy. Finally, it tweaks tabs, search, and its unique pinned site capability that places site icons in the taskbar. Sadly, it only works on Vista and Windows 7 machines. It is especially powerful on Windows 7.

IE9 review: will Microsoft's big browser bet pay off?

With Internet Explorer 9, Microsoft gets to show off some of its best work to an audience that is increasingly indifferent and hard to please, and in some cases downright hostile and dismissive. It is not an enviable task. By any objective standard, Microsoft has succeeded at the task it set out to do: build a fast, standards-compliant browser with a clean, modern design that integrates well with Windows 7.

HP unveils TouchPad tablet, WebOS headed to PCs

Hewlett-Packard today took the wraps off its long-anticipated tablet, a 9.7-inch device it's calling the TouchPad, along with the bombshell that its WebOS is headed to PCs. The TouchPad will run the company's WebOS, which it acquired along with Palm as part of a $1.2 billion deal in April. Among its list of features are: a 1024x768 pixel display, a weight of 1.5 pounds, 13mm thickness, front-facing cameras for video chat, 16GB or 32GB of built-in memory, support for Adobe's Flash, Beats by Dre speakers, and a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor.

Report: iPad 2 in Production

The iPad 2 is coming soon, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal that said the next-generation device is currently in production. Citing "people familiar with the matter" the new slimmer, lighter iPad will include a faster processor, a camera, and more memory. The resolution of the display, however, won't get much of an upgrade from the existing model, the report said.

Evernote helps you get organized

Download it and you can sync notes, lists, voice memos, Web clips, pictures and more between computers, phones, tablets and other gadgets. The app is free and comes with 60 MB of Web space a month. Install it on all of your favorite devices and suddenly you have access to your thoughts via computer, Web browser and mobile device. It works especially well on Android-based phones. And it is free!!

Trade in Your Old Cell Phone for a New One

Lots of news happening in the cell phone world these days…or should I say Smart Phone World. Verizon is now taking orders for the iPhone; two companies are offering trade-in programs (see below); all the major carriers will soon have 4G systems (or something they call 4G anyway); AT&T is launching its free calling to any cell phone in the US'; and, of course, new cell phones are constantly being released.

I have not covered wireless phone service much in this blog, but maybe I need to expand that coverage as that is the fastest rising market in technology today…as these smart phones are really portable computers. I will say, in the fairness of full disclosure, that my cell phone contract is up and am looking around to see what I want to do next. Regardless, I think the world of smart phones are worth covering more than I have in the past. Let me know if you have any thoughts on that matter. - JRC

AT&T, Verizon Wireless trade-in programs may change smartphone buying process

Verizon Wireless launched a trade-in program ahead of the launch of the iPhone and AT&T quickly followed. These efforts may just change the smartphone buying process and minimize the reliance on two-year contracts.

Microsoft gives Hotmail users instant access to chuckaway email accounts

The chuckaway email addresses are generally used by people who sign up for free coupons and newsletters that they would otherwise not want delivered to their real account. Microsoft currently permits users to add up to 15 aliases per email account, so they can read all messages from alternative emails within one inbox.

Learn the Sounds of a Failing Hard Drive to Avoid Lost Data

Most hard drives make certain sounds when they start failing, but every drive and brand of drive is different. Data recovery company Data Cent has put together a database of sounds that let you know what's going wrong with your drive.

Windows 7 and SSDs: Cutting your system drive down to size

Solid-state drives are wicked fast. They can breathe new life into a PC whose performance is being dragged down by a slow conventional hard drive. They’re also expensive and (at least for now) limited in total capacity. So how do you get the performance benefits of an SSD upgrade without breaking the bank?

Create Your Own DVD Menus for Free With DVDStyler

DVDStyler accepts any unprotected video file format under the sun. Simply drag and drop or browse for your AVI, MP4, WMV (or whatever) unprotected videos, and put them where you want on the DVD. I liked how straightforward DVDStyler is to use. Set each video file as its own Title (like an episode on a TV on DVD disc), or set each one up as a Chapter within a single Title (like how a movie on DVD is divided into chapters).

Will IBM’s Watson Defeat Humans on Jeopardy?

I’ve been following the unfolding story of IBM’s Super Computer named Watson and its ability to play the Jeopardy game. IBM ran several commercials on their “Intelligent” new computer system recently and the media has picked up on the story.

On the 14th, you can watch the broadcast of the match between the computer and two Jeopardy champions (it will run over three nights). The computer has no advantage over humans in the way the questions are presented. It will read the board and hear the questions the same as humans do. The show’s writers were not told that one of the contestants is a computer so there would be no bias in creating the questions. I think it will be a fascinating show to watch.  Also look for a special PBS Nova program on building this supercomputer.

The story I‘ve included here on Watson also has links to the story on a practice round complete with video.  Highly recommended. And you will be surprised at the quality of the computer’s voice. - JRC

Report: Hackers penetrated Nasdaq computers

Federal authorities are investigating repeated intrusions into the computer network that runs the Nasdaq stock exchange, according to a Wall Street Journal report that cited people familiar with the matter. The intrusions did not compromise the tech-heavy exchange's trading platform, which executes investors' trades, but it was unknown which other sections of the network were accessed, according to the report.

Takeaways from Egypt: Kill the kill switch and decentralize the Internet

The five-day Internet outage in Egypt has two big takeaways. It’s time to shoot down the Internet “kill switch” and we need a new way to decentralize the Internet.

Patch Tuesday heads-up: Critical flaws in Windows, Internet Explorer

As part of this month’s Patch Tuesday schedule, Microsoft plans to ship a dozen bulletins with fixes for 22 vulnerabilities, some serious enough to allow hackers complete access to a vulnerable Windows machine.

Why IBM’s Watson experiment is important for artificial intelligence

Will artificial intelligence capture the public’s imagination? By now, you have no doubt heard about IBM’s daring experiment to pit its latest supercomputer — dubbed “Watson” — against Jeopardy champions Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter on Feb. 14. (In fact, we covered the practice round)

Chrome 9 goes stable with WebGL and Chrome Instant

In a statement on the official Google Chrome Blog, the browser's developers have announced the availability of a new version in the stable channel. It brings some performance improvements and a handful of new features. Google's development efforts on Chrome have been moving forward at an impressive pace.

Some Info on TV’s That Might be of Help

Consumers Don't Want 3-D TVs, Survey Reveals

The push to make everything in 3-D seems to be getting stronger and stronger, but it seems that consumers may not be the ones who want it. A survey by Nielsen revealed that the majority of consumers had no plans to get a 3-D TV any time soon.

TV Refresh Rate Explained: 60Hz vs. 120Hz, 240Hz, and Beyond

If you're in the market for an HDTV, you've probably heard a lot about "speed." When ads and reviews talk about how fast an HDTV is, they're referring to the display's refresh rate, or how often it changes the picture. Television and movies don't show actual motion so much as dozens and hundreds of frames per second, like a reel of film or a huge flipbook. The faster the HDTV, the more frames it displays per second. So the faster the refresh rate, the better the HDTV, right? More frames look smoother, right? In theory: yes. In marketing: very yes. In practice: not so much.

Facebook 'Instant personalization' launches: How to disable it, and why

Facebook’s ‘instant personalization’ feature is to be switched on today, allowing the walls between the social network and the world to be broken through for a seamless experience for all. It is turned on by default so many will be entirely unaware the feature even exists. However, this raises serious privacy concerns amongst the 500 million and growing population of the social network, with the potential for better targeted adverts and more of your data handed out to other websites.

Watch out for 'Microsoft Tech Support' scams

"I'm from Microsoft and I'm here to help." At least, that's what reader MP thought he heard when he answered the phone. It wasn't. Con artists all over the world are bilking big bucks out of unsuspecting Microsoft customers — including savvy Windows users.

Microsoft Mathematics

Microsoft used to sell a program called Mathematics, which was aimed at students. It was a very capable product, able to solve equations, draw graphs, do calculus, and much more. Ideal for anyone involved with mathematics, science, engineering, physics, and so on. So why do I say "used to sell"? Have they stopped producing it? No. They've merely stopped selling it, and are now giving it away! There's even a brand new version, 4,0, which was launched only last week

Egypt, China, AT&T, and Google Are Today’s Stars in Tech News

Events in Egypt occupy the news these days. Well, the good news is that Egypt has restore the Net to its citizens. But Internet access on the Egyptian revolution has been blocked in China…raising the question is Internet access is a human right? A very interesting question, since there is a bill in Congress now to set up an Internet Kill Switch in the USA.

Are you an AT&T customer? If you are, you may have been overcharged on a regular basis. I have heard these accusations before, but now a major lawsuit has been filed against the giant communications company. We will see how that shakes out. And now Google claims that Microsoft’s Bing is copying its search results. Wow, that could get messy, if true. Hope it is warm where you are. - JRC

Lawsuit: AT&T "systematically overstates" data usage on iPhone bills

One of the biggest problems that consumers have faced with mobile phone billing in recent years is that there's really no way of independently measuring the amount of data that's being consumed by a mobile Web session. Consumers are at the mercy of the wireless carriers and have put their trust in these providers to accurately bill them. Now, AT&T finds itself at the center of a class action lawsuit that alleges that the provider's bills "systematically overstate the amount of data used on each data transaction."

#Egypt Blocked in China: Is Internet Access A Human Right?

China has blocked searches for #Egypt on its State-approved, State-controlled version of Twitter. Searches for #Egypt on Sina (with over 50 million users) returns the message, “According to relevant laws, regulations and policies, the search results are not shown.”

Egypt gets its Internet back

Egyptian authorities have restored Internet service to the country after anti-government protests last week led to a five-day Net blackout. "Egyptian Internet providers returned to the Internet at 09:29:31 UTC (11:29 a.m. Cairo time)," said a blog post by Net monitoring firm Renesys today. Indeed, a variety of Egyptian Web sites, including the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, the Central Bank of Egypt, and the Egyptian Sock Exchange are available. And Twitter activity relating to Egypt is surging.

Google claims Bing copies its search results

The story began with Google's team for correcting typographical errors in search terms, which monitors its own and rivals' performance closely. Typos that Google could correct would lead to search results based on the correction, but the team noticed Bing would also lead to those search results without saying it had corrected the typo.

A Quick Way To Install Dozens Of Free Apps

If you're setting up a new PC, or you simply feel like a major download-fest, then www.ninite.com could save you a lot of time. The home page contains a list of around 80 of the best-known free applications for Windows, including web browsers, messaging apps like Skype, media players like Spotify and Songbird, image viewers, security tools, and more. Just tick the boxes for as many apps as you want, then download the custom installer that will be prepared for you.

Egypt Turns Off its Internet–How? And Why?

Normally I stay away from headline news, just because I don’t have to keep up with it anymore want to. But, this Egyptian Revolution has caught my eye…mainly because the government shut down the Internet. How could they do what Iran could not do almost two years ago. And could it happen here or anywhere else for that matter?

The Internet has changed all our lives with its ability to communicate news and common people’s views instantaneously. It’s scary when any government has the ability to turn off the flow of information. I read this morning that China may censor all news coming out of Egypt so their people won’t get any ideas.  The good news is that any government that does things like this will eventually lose the battle and the people who want changes will eventually get them. I hope the change coming in Egypt is for the better and not like Iran in 1979. - JRC

Egypt cuts Internet links

The internet and mobile-phone data service appeared to be cut across Egypt on Monday as authorities braced themselves for demonstrations backed by both the country's biggest opposition group and newly returned Nobel Peace laureate Mohamed ElBaradei.

How Egypt did (and your government could) shut down the Internet

How hard is it, exactly, to kill the Internet? Egypt seems to have been able to do it. But Egypt's situation isn't exactly the same as that in the Western world. And even though Egypt only has four big ISPs, the fact that everything went down after midnight local time suggests that it took considerable effort to accomplish the 'Net shut-off. After all, it seems unlikely that President Hosni Mubarak ordered the Internet to be shut down as he went to bed; such a decision must have been made earlier in the day, and then taken hours to execute.

IE9 To Be Released on February 10?

According to Microsoft invitations to an event in San Francisco on February 10 were sent out today: "Members from the Internet Explorer team (and some special guests) will be visiting San Francisco in two weeks to share some important news. I know it's an extremely busy news week already, but we're hoping you can join us."

Thomas Edison's (Mostly Correct) Predictions of 2011 Tech

In June of 1911, The Miami Metropolis published an article describing what technological marvels await humanity in the amazing year two-thousand-plus-eleven as predicted by one of that era's greatest minds, Thomas Edison. As it turns out, Edison hit the mark on many of his tech forecasts. Though most of his predictions are less in the far-out sci-fi realm than they were following the existent engineering trends of the day to inevitable conclusions. A fun read.

System Optimize Expert 3.1.3.8 For Free

System Optimize Expert is the real expert in scanning, cleaning, and optimizing your system for free. It keeps you away from the hassle of continuous system crash and sluggish performance.

Facebook Changes You Should Know About

If you are a Facebook user, be sure and read the two included articles as they should be of interest to you. One is good, one is…well…perhaps not so good. But, in any case you need to be aware of them.

And, check out the free software from Ashampoo.  Some good software here for free (I used their DVD/CD burning software. Excellent)…but hurry. The offer won’t last much longer. In fact, it will expire any day now. - JRC

Facebook to let advertisers use your posts in Sponsored Stories

Can't stop gushing about your favorite new gadget or your latest album purchase? If you're posting about it on Facebook, there's a chance your words could wind up used by advertisers without your knowledge. Facebook has begun allowing companies to re-post endorsements from users as "Sponsored Stories," and there's no way for you to opt out at the moment.

Facebook offers HTTPS browsing, but not yet by default

Facing a wave of criticism for not offering a secured browsing option, Facebook has finally added a new feature to browse the popular social network on a secure connection (https). However, the https:// browsing is not turned on by default and must be manually activated from an “Account Settings” page on Facebook.

The State of Windows 8

Only Microsoft knows how the next version of its Windows operating system will look and what it will be called, but big changes could be ahead for the OS that observers refer to as "Windows 8." At this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Microsoft announced that Windows 8 will support system-on-a-chip architectures using ARM processors. In other words, Windows won't be just for laptops and desktops anymore.

138,000 Holocaust-related photos now online, powered by Google

Because the collection seems to be based on Picasa galleries, all of the usual social functionality is built-in. You can comment on photos, and you're encouraged to share stories if you find the photo of someone you know.

Get $130 Of Ashampoo Apps For Free

If you're a fan of Ashampoo's apps for Windows, the company's Christmas giveaway is still running. This brings up up to 5 of their apps for free, including Burning Studio, Home Designer, Snap (screen capture), WinOptimizer and Photo Commander.

Hate Web Ads? We Might Have Some Answers For You

If you are like me, you hate to have your Web browsing interrupted by stupid advertisements. Well some possible answers to that conundrum may just be at hand.  Check out the two stories below.

Also, advance study on the Stuxnet Worm reveals that both Israel and the U.S. collaborated on this attack of the Iranian nuclear program.  Is this the start of a new kind of warfare?  Stay tuned…JRC

Stuxnet: Cyber attack on Iran 'was carried out by Western powers and Israel'

The Stuxnet computer virus, created to sabotage Iran's nuclear program, was the result of collaboration between at least one Western power and the Israeli secret service, a British cyber security expert has found. Tom Parker, a US-based security researcher who specializes in tracing cyber attacks, has spent months analyzing the Stuxnet code and has found evidence that the virus was created by two separate organizations.

Windows 7 and SSDs: just how fast are they?

Does a solid-state drive make a difference in the performance of Windows 7? In a word: Yes. Conventional hard disks are typically the biggest bottleneck in any computing environment. If you can speed up disk activity, especially reads, the effects on system startup and application launch times can be breathtaking.

Top 10 inkjet multifunction printers

These printers start at around $100 and combine a printer, scanner, copier and (sometimes) a fax machine.

Mozilla offers do-not-track tool to thwart ads

Mozilla, acting on a U.S. Federal Trade Commission proposal, has offered a detailed mechanism by which Firefox and other Web browsers could prevent Web pages from tracking people's online behavior for advertising

Google's Chrome browser gets do-not-track feature

Google just released a new extension for its Chrome browser that will make it easier to avoid ads on the Web.

Windows 7 SP1 Around the Corner

Microsoft releasing Windows 7 SP1 soon

If you’ve been holding off upgrading to Windows 7 until Service Pack 1 arrives then your wait may finally be coming to an end. That’s right folks, Windows 7 SP1 is on its way, likely within days.

Mozilla blocks Skype's Firefox-crashing add-on

Mozilla has barred a Skype extension for Firefox, accusing it of causing 40,000 browser crashes a week and of dramatically slowing page-load times.

Wireless Providers Target Final Frontier: Seniors

A slew of cell phones and wireless options are cropping up geared to the last untapped wireless horizon: senior citizens. Though senior-friendly phones aren't new, their lower prices and variety are. A recent price skirmish among wireless companies means that seniors can get an easy-to-use cell phone along with cheap service to go with it.

For tablets, does size matter?

Are 10 inches better than 7? Or are they just too much to handle? Conversely, are 7 inches too few to do the job well? The debate rages on as the world prepares for an onslaught of Android tablets and the RIM PlayBook tablet this spring, a year after the iPad shipped and created a whole new category of computing.

Free Calorie Counter, Diet & Exercise Journal

This is a free web service and application called My Fitness Pal to help with your weight-loss goals. Don't let the lame name fool you; this is a really great tool. If you tend to be a little obsessive-compulsive like me, you'll love being able to keep all the details about your food intake and exercise program organized and at your fingertips. You can create an account and join up for free.

Intel’s and AMD’s Newest Chips Compared

Intel's Sandy Bridge vs. AMD's Fusion: A Comparison

The two biggest processor manufacturers released their next-generation designs last week, and for once the news is more about how they're alike than how they're different. Both Intel's second-generation Core (aka, Sandy Bridge) CPUs and AMD's Fusion Accelerated Processing Units (APUs) combine formerly disparate systems within the same processing die, promising capabilities and communication beyond what we've seen before. So you might be wondering how the two compare.

What Would Apple Be Like If It Loses Steve Jobs?

The latest medical leave for Apple CEO Steve Jobs has observers wondering if he will return. And if Jobs doesn't return, could COO Tim Cook fill his influential shoes? The stock market isn't sure, and an analyst said Jobs "wouldn't leave if it wasn't serious." Without Jobs to strike fear in Apple employees, some will want to do things differently.

Netflix downgrades app experience by dumping DVD option

A small change to the Netflix service over the weekend generated some negative feedback from customers - something that shouldn’t come as a surprise, given how consumers tend to resist any change to products or services that they already like. But this time around, the company deserves the criticism, mostly because the change downgrades the user experience instead of making it better.

Confessions of a Windows 7 pirate

In the interest of research, I've been digging into message boards and forums run by unabashed Windows enthusiasts who are intent on breaking Microsoft's activation technology. I've had these forums bookmarked for years and stop in every once in a while just to see what's new. This time I decided to drop by and actually try some of tools and utilities to see if I could become a pirate, too. Unfortunately, I succeeded.

Send to Kindle Pushes Web Articles from Chrome to Your Kindle

Chrome: If you prefer spending more time reading on your Kindle than in your browser, you can quickly push content from your browser to your Kindle with Chrome extension Send to Kindle. Instead of relying on Instapaper as the middle-man to sync articles, Send to Kindle syncs the article of your choice immediately.

More Good Info on Smartphones

I keep hearing how the focus of today’s technology has moved from the desktop to the portable world…i.e. Cell phones, iPads, tablets, laptops, and netbooks. While I still believe most of us do our work on desktop computers (or portable computers), I will cover this new world in this blog, perhaps a bit more than I have in the past.

Cell phones have turned into portable computers. That is good for many of us. Frankly, I have a smartphone (a Blackberry), but don’t use the Internet portion of it very much. Of course, I am retired and don’t feel the need to be on the Internet 24-7. But many of you make more use of the smartphones than me.  So, I will keep that in mind when I put together this blog. - JRC

How AT&T and T-Mobile conjured 4G networks out of thin air

What AT&T and T-Mobile did was to re-brand their enhanced 3G networks (sometimes called 3.5G) by simply renaming them “4G” networks. Voila! In other words, this is mostly a marketing ploy.

Five Reasons Not to Buy a Verizon iPhone 4

For those suffering with an iPhone tied to an AT&T contract, switching to Verizon on February 10th seems like a no-brainer, but here's why you should look before you leap.

Mozilla Firefox 4 Expected by Late February

The faster, leaner, HTML 5-ready Firefox 4 web browser is inching closer to release. Mozilla official say they're just down to bug fixes. Learn more about what you'll see in February in this report.

How to Use Excel More Effectively: 10 Great Excel Tips & Tricks

I'm not a numbers guy, but I use Microsoft Excel all the time. I use it for story calendars, budgets, analysis and more. It's a great app, even for people who, like me, don't enjoy working in spreadsheets. One of the ways I make Excel work for me is by using as many shortcuts as possible. That's why I love these tips. By the way, they're not designed for experts. Instead they're built for people just like you and me. Enjoy.

Two great security tools get free updates

Two outstanding security apps, Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0 and Secunia Personal Software Inspector 2.0, are now available. The original versions of these programs were great, but the new versions are even better; they're must-have software — and they're still free!

The iPhones Finally Arrives at Verizon

Verizon's iPhone news: Is it a dealbreaker without 4G?

The iPhone is finally coming to Verizon Wireless - and just days after Verizon Wireless made a huge splash at CES over the wonders of a blazing fast LTE 4G network, it appears that the world’s most popular smartphone won’t be running on it.

FAQ: What you need to know about the Verizon iPhone 4

The Apple smartphone has some variations for its new U.S. network compared to what's available for AT&T

Microsoft to fix Windows holes, but not ones in IE

Microsoft said today that it will release two security bulletins next week fixing three holes in Windows, but it is still investigating or working on fixing holes in Internet Explorer that have been reportedly exploited in attack.

Office 2010: a deeper dive

In every sense of the word, Microsoft Office is huge. Hundreds of millions of people use at least one of the programs in the Office family every day—in enterprises, small and medium-size businesses, homes, and schools. When Microsoft released Office 2010 to manufacturing on April 15, it kicked off an upgrade cycle that will last for several years.

Desert Moon is an impressive tower defense Time Waster

One genre I almost never cover is tower defense games. I guess I normally don't enjoy them all that much – it's purely subjective. But this is one thing that makes Desert Moon all the more remarkable: It's a tower defense game, but I actually had fun playing it.

Consumer Electronic Show Recap

The annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas wrapped up yesterday…and thank God it did as I am going to Las Vegas in a couple of days. Regardless of that, it was an interesting show, perhaps more so than usual. So, I present to you the best articles I could find to help you sort through all the happened.

I’ve also included an article on the tragedy that occurred here in Tucson on Saturday and the part that social media played it it. Very interesting reading. I will have more to say about it in my “Postcard” blog, later today. - JRC

Best of CES Awards

Here are the products that won the best products awards at this year's Consumer Electronics Show

CES 2011: Five Essential Trends

What a difference a year makes. Last year's CES was remarkable mostly for its complete lack of remarkableness. I have trouble remembering a single product I saw and everyone seemed depressed. The mood at CES 2011 was akin to the vibe in a locker room on game day or backstage at a big performance: Excited, energized and maybe a bit edgy.

CES 2011: The biggest winners and losers

The Consumer Electronics Show is the Super Bowl of the technology industry. As much as industry analysts and the tech press whine about CES being too big and being a relic of a bygone era, there's no better place for tech companies to make a big splash that will be remembered throughout the year, and in some cases for years to come.

The Giffords Tragedy and Social Media

Most everyone in the wake of the Giffords shooting wants to “do the right thing” in their online behavior. But in this instance, social media and tragedy reveal monstrous behavior.

Google Picasa 3.8 Review & Rating

There are lots of apps that help you edit and organize you photos, but nothing matches the features and functionality of Picasa. When you want to serious photo management or just want a place to dump photos when you take them off your camera, Picasa delivers. And best of all, it is 100% free. Read our full review for more info.

CES Rolls On Plus Angry Birds

The latest and greatest at CES

Here is a very long list of new products now being shown at CES in Las Vegas. Click on a product that sounds interesting to you and read more about it.. You may notice that it's raining tablets at CES. Fans of the slate-style computer have much to drink in from the likes of Dell, Samsung, Sharp, and many others. This Web page is continually updated so check in frequently.

The key mobile trends emerging from CES 2011

At this year's Consumer Electronics Show, it's all about mobile -- and mostly about Android. Srictly speaking, that's not true; there were also plenty of HDTVs, stereo speakers, and other home entertainment wares on display, but the main events have all been about mobile.

Hackers find new way to cheat on Wall Street -- to everyone's peril

'Side-channel' attack on high-frequency trading networks could net a hacker millions of dollars in just seconds -- and leave everyone else that much poorer

Four free programs to help control Windows 7

Windows 7, like all powerful operating systems, can seem a bit overwhelming and give you the feeling you've lost control. Fortunately, there are some great utilities for taming Windows 7.

Download Angry Birds For Windows XP / 7

I'm not sure how a game that involves using a slingshot to launch birds at pigs became the hit of the year, but it seems everyone I know who has an iPad is addicted to Angry Birds. Millions of copies have been sold through Apple's App Store, and Rovio Mobile, the Finnish company that developed it, also released Android and Symbian versions last year and started the new year with a version for the Playstation 3. Now you can play it on your Intel-powered Windows XP or Windows 7 netbook, too - if you're willing to spend five bucks.

CES Opens Tomorrow–What to Expect

The annual Consumer Electronics Show open tomorrow for a 4-day run in Las Vegas. It is now the biggest electronics show of the year, featuring computers, TV’s, smartphones, tablets, e-readers, and much, much more. This is where the majority of all new products are introduced for the first time. I will do my best to keep you informed of all the great products coming out of this 2011 show. Stay tuned….JRC

CES 2011: What to Expect

CES 2011 begins tomorrow. Tablets, smart appliances, 3D, robots, candy tech and more will mark 2011's massive Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas.

Demand Net neutrality as a basic right

All free speech is converging on the Internet. Can speech still be called 'free' if access to it is controlled by a profiteering few?

Consumer Reports — AT&T Is The Worst Wireless Carrier In United States… By Far

Consumer Reports has released findings from a member survey which, as we’ve been saying for years, ranks AT&T as the worst wireless provider in the country when it comes to voice, value, and data performance. AT&T scored the lowest possible score in 8 of 9 total categories, only scoring the second to the worst score in texting.

10 great 'Do these first' tweaks for Windows 7

It's that time of year when many PC users are buying new machines and — ready or not — making the leap to Windows 7. Get off on the right foot: save time, trouble, and frustration by performing these 10 simple Win7 tweaks.

WinMP3Packer Decreases the Size of Your Music Library with No Quality Loss

If your music's starting to take up an uncomfortable amount of space on your hard drive (or small MP3 player), you can decrease the size of it by converting all your songs to Variable Bit Rate with WinMp3Packer (free).

Net Neutrality and Intel’s New Chips in the News

Happy new year to all of you. After the Christmas/New Year’s holidays, I am back bringing you all the computer news that’s fit to print, or something like that.

Maybe with the start of the new year, I should re-explain my goals for this newsletter. I write this blog/newsletter mainly for computer non-nerds…in other words, most of us that just want to get the most out of our computers without going into all the heavy-duty tech stuff. We just want it to work! But sometimes having a little background on what is happening now in technology keeps your computing knowledge current enough to make informed decisions about the computers you buy and the best software to use to be productive.

I recommend interesting Web sites, and software (usually free) that you may find handy. And, I also report important stories that affect all of us, like the Net Neutrality stories today. Again, I hope you find this blog/newsletter to be interesting and of some use.

So, without further ado, here is this year’s first blog: - JRC    

What Do the FCC's Net Neutrality Rules Mean for You?

Net neutrality is in the headlines again, but what does it mean for you? Is this just some wonky, inside-the-Beltway chatter that won't have an impact on our daily lives or an issue that will affect how we access the Web in the future? The short answer is: both.

Most don't want the FCC to regulate the Internet

Among the 1,000 "likely U.S. voters" questioned, only 21 percent said they'd be in favor of the Federal Communication Commission regulating the Internet. A majority 54 percent said they're opposed to government control of the Net, while 25 percent were left undecided.

Intel Officially Introduces Sandy Bridge Microarchitecture

Intel’s latest design in chips is released for sale today. In Sandy Bridge, the memory controller, the PCI Express (PCIe) controller, and video functions are all located within the processor die and can share data and power much more easily than before. And the microarchitecture has been designed in such a way that it will scale all the way from the smallest netbooks to the biggest servers.

Hulu adds playlists and streamlines navigation

If you're a fan of streaming TV and movie site Hulu, you just got a little holiday present: a playlist feature and a new navigation bar. The plus symbol near each video brings up the option to add that video to your queue or add it to a playlist, and the playlist option will prompt you to create a new list or pick an existing one. At long last, watching episodes or movies back-to-back on Hulu is a relatively frictionless experience.

Disk Investigator 1.5 (Windows)

Disk Investigator helps you to discover all that is hidden on your computer hard disk. It can also help you to recover lost data. Display the true drive contents by bypassing the operating system and directly reading the raw drive sectors.