More on the iCloud

We are continuing to cover the iCloud and what it means to users…especially in the area of music storage. I currently have 20GB of storage in the Amazon Cloud, but that is misleading as I bought an album from them and they bumped me to 20GB free for a year. While I have music stored there, my main backup for music are several local hard drives, one of which is off-site. I know… am a back-up freak. So while cloud storage might not mean as much to me as you, it is still worth knowing more. 

Another good article worth reading is on passwords…how many do you have? And if you have a Kindle, you might want to take a look at some inexpensive book deals from Amazon. But hurry, they go away on 6/15. Hope you find these articles useful. - JRC 

Apple iCloud vs. Amazon Cloud Player vs. Google Music Beta

We've already seen Amazon and Google's attempts at a Web-based music service, with the former's Cloud Player and the latter's Google Music Beta, but with iTunes' dominance in digital music, Apple's iCloud could eclipse both of them. Apple's offering differs from those of Amazon and Google in some big ways, though. Here's a rundown of the three services' differences and similarities.

Does iCloud Solve the Music Piracy Problem?

The iTunes Match feature of the newly unveiled iCloud system will scan users' devices and hard drives for music acquired in ways other than iTunes, store it on distant computer servers and allow them to access it anywhere. Industry observers said the new service could translate into big bucks for both Apple and the recording companies.

You Have Exactly Three Passwords, Don't You?

Too many of us reuse passwords, and the recent Sony hacks should serve as a call to action to change not only the passwords themselves, but the methods we use to create and remember them.

Amazon Rolls Out ‘Sunshine Deals’ For Publishers To Test E-Book Pricing

Are publishers taking the plunge into experimenting with e-book pricing? Today Amazon (NSDQ: AMZN) quietly launched Kindle Sunshine Deals, a two-week promotion pricing about 650 Kindle books “from numerous bestselling and award-winning authors” at $0.99, $1.99, and $2.99. While individual authors have seen success putting their e-books on sale, this promotion is unique because of its scale and because it is being run by Amazon and appears to be in collaboration with book publishers.

MyDailyJournal - Free

A secure personal journal for everyday inspirational living. Write your daily thoughts, opinions, and life views in your own journal. It also includes a password login dialog box for keeping prying eyes out of your personal business. Insert special characters, emotional icons, pictures, and images into your writing for a more colorful display of your thoughts and ideas.

Apple’s Big Announcements

It was another big day for Apple, this time as the lead event for the week-long Apple Worldwide Developer’s Conference. Steve Jobs again took the stage to announce new features for the forthcoming “Lion” upgrade for the MacOS, new features for an upgrade to iOS (for the iPhone and iPad), and finally, the big announcement: Apples new iCloud storage service. Lot of interesting new features here, many of which have already been done by Android, Amazon, and Microsoft. The features of iCloud are covered in the first story.

On the darker side of Apple, new viruses continue to plague the Mac operating system.  Even though Apple issued a fix for the last malware attack, the bad guys bypassed it in just a few hours. So if you are an Apple user, be careful…very very careful. You are now being targeted. Apple is a neophyte in the anti-virus game

Also check out the story on cell phone radiation. I am sure you will find it very enlightening. Read on….JRC.

Jobs announces Apple's iCloud storage service

Apple CEO Steve Jobs today announced an online cloud storage service called iCloud, designed to make it simple to wirelessly share music, e-mail, photos, calendars, and other data between handheld gadgets and desktop computers. The new Apple service, which has been the subject of intense speculation for more than a year, attempts to harness the power and flexibility of cloud computing for home users. It uses techniques that have already proved popular with businesses to make it easier to move data stored on Apple's servers back and forth between multiple devices and applications.

New Apple antivirus signatures bypassed within hours by malware authors

The bad guys have wasted no time. Hours after Apple released this update and the initial set of definitions, a new variation of Mac Defender is in the wild. This one has a new name, Mdinstall.pkg, and it has been specifically formulated to skate past Apple’s malware-blocking code.

Cell phone radiation: A self-defense guide (FAQ)

To help readers figure out their best options for reducing exposure to cell phone radiation and to answer other questions related to protecting oneself, CNET has put together this FAQ. Note: this is the third of three articles on cell phone radiation. Links to the first two stories are included.

Google's Eric Schmidt 'screwed up' over social network FAIL

Google's Eric Schmidt has shouldered the blame for the company's lack of effort in nailing a successful social networking strategy to compete with rival Facebook.

Angry Birds Comes to Windows--No Browser Required

Well, it appears the Birds have migrated to Windows PCs too, and no browser is necessary. Rovio is selling two flavors of Angry Birds--the original and Rio versions--for Windows. Each is $4.95, or you can download a free demo version to check it out.

The First Real Look at Windows 8

After months of speculation, we finally get our first look at Windows 8, coming next year…and what a look it is! First, there is a Microsoft-produced video showing off the new operating system.  Then, there are two articles, both by Windows expert Paul Thurrott, analyzing in-depth what the new system contains. As more videos are released by Microsoft, I will have them here.

There is also an interesting article on how cell phone carriers are killing off the hottest market going with their unbridled greed. An interesting analysis, to say the least.  Finally, Microsoft has released a new tool for analyzing your computer if you think you might be infected with malware or you just want to see if you might have a dangerous rootkit. It is designed to be a self-booting operating system on a CD, or USB stick so it can’t be fooled by some kinds of malware that prevent you from seeing you are infected. It takes a few hours to run, so will run it overnight while sleeping. 

Hope you have a great weekend. Cheers! - JRC

YouTube - Building "Windows 8" - Video #1

This is the first of several videos produced by Microsoft showing off Windows 8. It looks very interesting. Don't be fooled that it is a touch-screen only operating system...it will run on a desktop with a mouse just like you are doing now.

Windows 8 Preview: An Analysis of the First Public Unveiling

Watch the above video first, then read this. On June 1, 2011, Microsoft unveiled some of its plans for Windows 8, its next Windows client release, for the first time. This unveiling included a public appearance from president Steven Sinofsky, the man most directly responsible for Windows, but also a video in which Microsoft Director of Program Management Jensen Harris directly manipulates what appears to be a touch-screen-based PC running Windows 8, and running through various new features.

Windows 8 Preview: An 2nd Analysis of the Computex Announcements

(Read and view the first 2 stories first before reading this.) In addition to the Steven Sinofsky and Jensen Harris demos of Windows 8 this week, Microsoft's Michael Angiulo also showed off the next Windows for the company's hardware partners at the Computex trade show. And not surprisingly, his talk included some details the others didn't mention. Here's another ton of new Windows 8 information! ...

Will the carriers kill the mobile revolution?

If the telecommunications industry were competitive, the market would keep the carriers from raising prices even faster. But it isn't competitive now; in most cities there are few choices for serious business users. If AT&T succeeds in swallowing T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless advances in its plan to smash the smaller, regional carriers, the market will be even less competitive and the mobile revolution will slow to dial-up speeds.

New Microsoft Malware Cleaner

Microsoft has just released a product called the Standalone System Sweeper (Beta), which can be launched from CD or USB stick. According to Microsoft "it is meant to be used in situations where you cannot start your PC due to a virus or other malware infection." You can also run it to see if you might have a hidden rootkit.

Lots of Interesting News Today

Lots of news today with new things being added by some of techs most important players. Twitter has a new photo sharing service, Gmail has updated its contacts information, and Apple has finally decided they need to do something about all the new viruses and worms attacking their users.

Also, an informative look at non-iPad tablets and a comparison of Web sites that buy back your old devices. Definitely worth a read.  Enjoy - JRC

Twitter launches own photo-sharing service

Twitter is getting its own photo-sharing service, CEO Dick Costolo announced at the D9 conference today. It will roll out over the next few weeks to all users. In addition to making photo uploading easier for all users, this move is intended to harmonize content ownership: "Users will own their photos," he said, which may not be the case on other sharing services. Photobucket will host the photos on the back end, but Twitter will own the user interface and provide it to users through its site and apps.

Apple updates antivirus software, adds daily definition check

After a month-long Mac Defender/Mac Guard malware attack, Apple has finally released the security update it promised last week. The update takes Apple one step closer to turning an obscure security feature into something very close to full-fledged antivirus software.

Gmail Will Display Information About Contacts

Contextual information about friends, family members, and colleagues will be available in Google's Gmail. The new Gmail feature is called people widget, and it can be blocked by IT administrators. Smaller rival Xobni already offers an e-mail plug-in similar to the Gmail people widget. Google will also soon release a new Gmail Offline feature.

Apple iPad Alternatives: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

With more than 80 percent of the market and an even greater degree of mindshare, there is no doubt the Apple iPad dominates the tablet market. And for good reason: Apple has done a brilliant job of leveraging the iTunes ecosystems and the App Store to deliver a seamless and enjoyable tablet experience. For more than a year, no tablet could touch the iPad, but that's finally changing. RIM, with its BlackBerry PlayBook, and Google along with hardware partners like Samsung, Motorola, LG, and others, are all offering legitimate iPad alternatives.

Selling old gadgets: Buy back services compared

If you don't have an endless budget for tech purchases and would rather not just dump the old one in the trash, or are looking to raise some funds, one way to recoup some of what you paid for old tech is through buyback services. They're popping up all over, on the Web, in-store recycling kiosks, and even at major electronics retailers.

Tips, Tips, and More Tips

Because it’s a holiday weekend, there is not much in the way of exciting news in the tech world. So I’ve decided to serve up some articles that offer tips and ideas for making your computing even better. You will also find some free software offerings and Web sites that just might be helpful. Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend! - JRC 

7 ways to work faster in Windows 7

In Windows 7, Microsoft added a variety of features that make users more efficient and productive than with previous versions of Windows, but there can be a small learning curve for some of them.

Build a complete Windows 7 safety net

Every copy of Windows 7 includes a complete suite of backup tools. The suite contains everything you need to back up (and restore) your entire system. What’s more, after you’ve set up your initial backup, future backups happen automatically. In fact, Windows 7 makes it so easy to set up fully automated backups, it’s almost nutty not to do it.

Killer tips for mastering Google Chrome

We have a new batch of tricks to help you get the most out of Google's browser. We've split our advice this time around into three categories: using Incognito, powering up with the "about:" commands, and keeping your hands on the keyboard with a list of 30 hot keys.

The 10 Best Free Hard Drive Utilities

Here are our ten favorite free utilities for partitioning, monitoring, and optimizing hard drives (as well as a few inexpensive for-pay alternatives). Despite offering some high-end features, these downloadable programs won't bust your budget.

Free Computer & Internet Books Online

This is a listing of sites that legally offer free computer and internet related books, for reading and listening (audio). All of these sites listed have content that is legal for them to distribute and for you to download and/or read.

Apple Tells Users to Stick it When it Comes to Viruses

Yes, you read that correctly…if your Mac is infected with a virus, Apple says it is not their problem and they will not help you. Realize that thousands of Macs have been infected because so many Apple computer users believe their operating system in invulnerable to malware. So when they get a message from the so-called Apple Security Center saying they are infected, they blithely clicked on the message, download the so-called cure with a credit card, and are immediately infected with a real virus. Not only that, the bad guys get their credit card info.

I find Apple’s response despicable. For years, they have let people believe that they are immune to viruses and many people bought Macs because Windows machines were under constant bombardment for viruses. Apple never said it was, but they never denied it either. Sorry, those days are over and Mac attacks are only going to get worse.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is also under fire. A leading stock market analyst has said he needs to be replaced as CEO and that Microsoft is basically stuck in the mud under his leadership. I actually agree with him, but who would replace Ballmer? I have no idea. But some major management overhauls are definitely overdue.

Regardless of all the bad news, have a great Memorial Day Weekend. - JRC

Apple continues to tell support reps: do not help with Mac malware

How is Apple responding to the flood of customer calls about installations of the Mac Defender malware? According to multiple tech support insiders, the company has doubled down on its policy of denying any help to affected customers.

Ballmer Must Step Down, Influential Hedge Fund Manager Says

Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer on Wednesday was asked to step down by an influential hedge fund manager, an investor in Microsoft and an early critic of Lehman Bros. before the bank's collapse.

Mobile privacy: lots of Big Brothers, little clarity

What do you call software that collects and sends information about you to its developers, advertisers, and others? On a desktop, we’re likely to name it spyware. But on a cell phone, tablet, or other mobile device we call it an app — never realizing that it might be operating much like spyware.

IE Flaw Could Allow Hackers Access to your Facebook, Gmail, Twitter Accounts

A security researcher discovered a 'cookie jacking' flaw in all IE versions that could allow an attacker to steal your session cookies and then log onto your password-protected sites such as Gmail, Facebook or Twitter.

Office Tab Free

Wouldn't it be nice if you could see the all your Microsoft Office documents as separate tabs, in the same way you can see different Web sites in a browser? With Office Tab Free, you can do exactly that. I am using it and loving it. If you use Office, get this one!

Windows 8 and Some Hands on Reports

Steve Ballmer shocked everyone, including other Microsoft execs, by announcing the Windows 8 will be released next year. That mean the beta will be out later this year.  That is a surprise for sure.

Plus we have some other news and some “hands-on” reports for different products you might be interested in using. It’s a good edition, if I do say so myself. Enjoy - JRC

Ballmer: Windows 8 Is Coming in 2012

Ballmer made the announcement in Tokyo, speaking to an audience of software developers. Observers had been expecting the next version of Windows next year, but this is the first time that the company has officially confirmed the 2012 date.

Yahoo rolls out new e-mail service

The Web giant, which introduced the beta offering of its online e-mail service in October, begins rolling out the latest version of Yahoo Mail to its 284 million users worldwide today. The service is available in 43 markets and 26 languages around the world.

Hands-on with new Nook: Better than the Kindle?

The day after Kobo served up a new $129.99 touch-screen e-reader, Barnes & Noble, as expected, unveiled its own touch-screen e-ink Nook, which it's branding as "The Simple eReader." Is it better than a Kindle? Read for yourself and compare.

Hands On With Google's Music Beta Service

Earlier this month during Google I/O 2011, the search engine giant launched its long-awaited "Music Beta," a cloud-based digital locker that allows Googlers to store and stream their favorite music to the PC or mobile Android device. The company boasted a capacity of up to 20,000 songs that users can max out for free until the beta tag is finally dropped at an undisclosed date.

A Roundup of Free Online Backup Services

Online backup services allow end users to manage their data online, by having the ability to transfer and store files between a backup server and computer. Online backup has become increasingly common over the years, and is set to rise as we grow to depend more on the cloud. Online backup is more than just backup; it’s a data management tool in its own right allowing you to synchronize data on all your devices, allowing you to start a project on one computer and then resume on another without having to copy files across manually.

More Bad News for Apple Users

Hello World…I am back from my 2 week vacation in Yosemite and other places in Northern California.  Had a great time in spite of the weather, but am back in Tucson now with my shorts on again. Took lots of photos in Yosemite, most destined to become HDR photos. I will be sharing some shortly on my other blog, “Postcards.” Look for them shortly.

Not a lot of earthshaking events happened while I was away.  But security is back in the new again as Apple computers are being targeted more and more with malware. The bad guys have largely ignored Apple…until now. Sadly, the majority of Apple users think it is bulletproof against viruses and worms. It never has been. The bad guys just chose to target Windows because most of world uses it. 

Be sure and check out the last article on the best free software of 2011. You might find some useful goodies for your computer. I will be back in two days, not two weeks. - JRC

An AppleCare support rep talks: Mac malware is "getting worse"

Over the weekend, I got an e-mail from an AppleCare support rep, who was responding to my recent reports of Mac malware being found in the wild. At least one prominent voice in the Mac community dismisses these reports as "crying wolf." The view from inside an Apple call center says it's for real.

One in fourteen Internet downloads is Windows malware

Microsoft, not some third-party anti-virus company trying to drum up business, has just admitted that based on analysis gained from IE 9 use, “1out of every 14 programs downloaded is later confirmed as malware.” 

Report: Windows 7 almost five times more secure than XP

Those are the findings of Microsoft's latest Security Intelligence Report (PDF), which detailed in depth the state of software vulnerabilities, exploits, security breaches, and malware in 2010. Overall, the study found that infection rates for newer Microsoft operating systems with the latest service packs are consistently lower than those for older OSes, giving Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 the highest marks for security.

Google scraps newspaper-scanning project

Google might have near-boundless ambition, but every now and then it throws in the towel. The most recent example: a project to scan newspapers for publication online.

Amazon Sells More E-Books Than Printed Versions

Book readers are buying more electronic versions than print editions on Amazon.com. That includes both paper and hardcover printed books as Amazon's $114 Kindle with Special Offers e-reader has become a best seller. Amazon said it sells 105 Kindle e-books for every 100 print versions. But printed books are likely to stick around for some time.

The Best Free Software of 2011

Every year at this time, PCMag takes a look at what is worth installing on your PC— software that's totally free that does the job as well as, if not better, than the big boys. That's not to say programs from Microsoft, Adobe, and hundreds of other developers aren't worthwhile, but you should always be aware of your options, especially when they're free.

Watch Out Apple Fans…Bad Things are Coming Your Way

One of the big reasons people buy Apple computers is they are promoted as being safe from malware. It’s not that the operating system code is so great that malware can’t get into Apple products. Oh no, far from it. Its just that since 95% of the world uses a Microsoft operating system, Windows presents are far more lucrative target. That is about to change.  If you are a Mac user, please read story #1 so you can be prepared.

Our second story compares Microsoft Office 2010 to all the other would-be copycats, many of which are free.  A very interesting review. If you use a copycat, you might find a better one. If you spent the money for Office, read this and you will feel better.

Note: This is my last blog for 2-3 weeks. I am heading up to the SF Bay Area to visit family and friends…and a photo expedition to Yosemite. Will start back up again when I get back. If any really big stories break in the meantime, I will publish a special edition. I may not be writing when on vacation, but I still keep up. Thanks again for being a reader. - JRC

Macs users targeted by do-it-yourself crimeware kit

Watch out Mac users. You thought you were safe from malware. Not anymore. The world's first easy-to-use crimeware kit signals cyber criminals' growing interest in targeting Apple with malware

Microsoft Office 2010 takes on all comers

Ask most people to name a productivity suite and chances are they'll say Microsoft Office, but they might also name one of the numerous competitors that have sprung up. None have completely displaced the Microsoft monolith, but they've made inroads. How well do the alternatives shape up? And how practical is it to switch to them when you have an existing array of documents created in Microsoft Office? Those are the questions I had in mind when I sat down with both the new version of Microsoft Office and several other programs (and one cloud service) that have been positioned as low- or no-cost replacements.

IE users can now delete Flash cookies

Users of Internet Explorer can now get rid of those persistent "Flash cookies" thanks to the latest version of Adobe Flash and support from within Microsoft's IE. Cookies are files created on your PC and used by sites to keep track of certain data, such as site settings and usernames. All the major Web browsers let you remove cookies. But one flavor of cookie, known as a Flash cookie, doesn't get thrown out when you delete your traditional Web cookies. That limitation has triggered privacy concerns.

Free Computer & Internet Books Online

This is a listing of sites that legally offer free computer and internet related books, for reading and listening (audio). All of these sites listed have content that is legal for them to distribute and for you to download and/or read.

The 10 Best Free Hard Drive Utilities

Here are our ten favorite free utilities for partitioning, monitoring, and optimizing hard drives (as well as a few inexpensive for-pay alternatives). Despite offering some high-end features, these downloadable programs won't bust your budget.

Was Twitter the First to Report Bin Laden’s Death?

What a great way to end Sunday night, hearing the news that Osama Bin Laden was killed by U.S. black ops forces. And there he was, living the whole time in a big, specially built house in Pakistan, near a police station and military training school. And the Pakistanis claim they new nothing about it. Are they liars, or idiots, or both?

Whatever…the Internet was alive with all the news, getting even more play than the royal wedding. I heard a rumor that Apple got him because they track everybody all the time with their iPhones, but I don’t think it is true. Whatever the case, I’m glad that chapter is over, but I am sure we have not heard the last from the Al Qaida nut jobs.

Besides Bin Laden, there are some other informative stories that you might find useful.  Enjoy. - JRC

Twitter delivers news of bin Laden's death first

The news that American special forces had killed Osama bin Laden, perhaps the most wanted man in the world, first began to trickle out when the White House communications director posted on Twitter that President Obama planned to address the nation at 10:30 p.m.

Bin Laden's Death Reverberates in Media and Economy

Social media and other news outlets raced to report the demise of terrorist Osama bin Laden, and the impact was even felt in the stock market and oil prices. As TV newsmen floundered waiting for President Barack Obama to announce bin Laden's death, Twitter reported record tweet volumes. Hackers are expected to take advantage.

Speeding Up PCs with an SSD Drive

Need to speed up your PC? A solid state disk might be the answer. SSDs are next-gen hard drives that use non-volatile memory modules to store data rather than rotating magnetic platters. Another benefit: SSD drives are shock- and jar-proof. SSD is still an emerging technology, though, so firmware updates are often issued on a regular basis.

Top Menu Launchers to Look At

Sometimes the Windows 7 Start menu does not do the kinds of things that you want it to do. So here are some programs that will help you modify your tray menu system, and make it do more of what you want.

Microsoft Launches Free On-Demand Virus/Malware Scanner

Microsoft has launched a new, free virus/malware scanner, that's designed to be used if you think your computer might be infected. The program is called the Microsoft Safety Scanner. To use it, download the file, then run it on your PC. The app is portable, so doesn't need an installer. When you run it, it will analyze your computer and detect, and remove, many of the most prevalent viruses. It is not a replacement for Microsoft Security Essentials or any other anti-virus program.

It’s the Friday Follies–Enjoy!

While I fight a bit of a cold, you all have a good weekend. - JRC

Office 365 offers value, but it's not Office

The first thing you have to understand about Office 365 (info page) is that it isn't Office. In spite of the name, Office 365 isn't a new version of Office at all. It's a rebranding of server services Microsoft has offered for years, with a bit more sizzle and a different marketing slant (and presumably a much larger marketing budget).

Battle of the Web browsers

Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, and Safari square off on speed, features, and HTML5 compatibility

Adobe and Skype top my Foistware Hall of Shame

I'm in the process of rebuilding a PC here-blowing out dust, upgrading some hardware, restoring the OS to factory-new condition, and installing fresh copies of apps I use regularly. Along the way, I keep running into a sleazy trick that some software vendors play, and I've finally reached the breaking point. I am sick and tired of companies that try to make a quick buck by tricking their customers into installing software they don't need.

The 3D scam: Reject and repeat

The 3D gimmick has sadly infiltrated movies and television and is now threatening to infect video games and smartphones as well. There’s only one reason why the entertainment industry keeps relentlessly pushing this at consumers — it’s a transparent attempt to bleed more money out of people. And, while a lot of consumers have caught on to the scam, not everyone is doing enough to stop it.

NASA's wondrous views of Earth (photos)

To celebrate Earth Day, NASA released some of its most beautiful and surprising images of our planet. Although the entire collection features dozens of images and photographs of a wide variety of subjects--from hurricanes to volcano eruptions to data visualizations of things like average rainfalls and terrain height, these 20 images to represent the best of Earth, as seen from high above.

Are We Being Tracked by Our Phones? Of Course We Are!

Its not the fact that most modern cell phones now have GPS built-in, it’s the fact that Google, Apple, and Microsoft are keeping the data that tells exactly where you have been and when. Am I surprised? No? But, that is the troubling part of this story. Will they do anything about it? Time will tell.

In other news, I have signed up to be a Beta tester for Microsoft’s Office 365…if for nothing else to have Exchange services for my Outlook. Will let you know what I think. In the last edition, I told you about a new way to send articles you read directly to your Kindle.  Over the last few day’s I have tried it and much prefer it to Instapaper, which I’ve mentioned here before. If you own a Kindle, give it a try. – JRC.

Big Apple, Big Google, Big Brother

In some ways, all the uproar about Apple saving location data on its iOS device users is old news. Guess what? Big Brother, or Big Google, also collects geo-location information from its mobile, Android-powered devices. It’s like anything else in computing: geo-location can provide great services and resources, but it can also be abused.

Microsoft collects locations of Windows phone users

Like Apple and Google, Microsoft collects records of the physical locations of customers who use its mobile operating system. Windows Phone 7, supported by manufacturers including Dell, HTC, LG, Nokia, and Samsung, transmits to Microsoft a miniature data dump including a unique device ID, details about nearby Wi-Fi networks, and the phone's GPS-derived exact latitude and longitude.

13 cool features of Office 365

Take a look at some of the highlights from the official beta of Microsoft's cloud service, including smartphone access, Exchange services for Outlook and document sharing. I’ve personally signed up for this one.

PC Slowdown: Time for a Spring Cleaning?

When garbage data collects on your once whiz-bang fast PC, slowdowns may occur, indicating that it's time for a spring computer cleaning. The primary culprit for PC slowdowns is software that is installed and then removed again, leaving behind digital traces. The most common junk-data collection spot is the Windows Registry file.

How to clean up your Facebook feed

With just a few tweaks to your Facebook News Feed settings, you can view more activities from friends whom you care about, and hide annoying posts from friends whom you don't.

It’s a Day for Tips and Good Ideas

For the average computer user like you and me, it’s a slow news day. So with the exception of one interesting editorial on 3D TV, I have put together some good ideas and tips on how to make your computer better. I hope you can find something interesting and useful here. - JRC

The 3D scam: Reject and repeat

The 3D gimmick has sadly infiltrated movies and television and is now threatening to infect video games and smartphones as well. There’s only one reason why the entertainment industry keeps relentlessly pushing this at consumers — it’s a transparent attempt to bleed more money out of people. And, while a lot of consumers have caught on to the scam, not everyone is doing enough to stop it.

PC Slowdown: Time for a Spring Cleaning?

When garbage data collects on your once whiz-bang fast PC, slowdowns may occur, indicating that it's time for a spring computer cleaning. The primary culprit for PC slowdowns is software that is installed and then removed again, leaving behind digital traces. The most common junk-data collection spot is the Windows Registry file.

How to clean up your Facebook feed

With just a few tweaks to your Facebook News Feed settings, you can view more activities from friends whom you care about, and hide annoying posts from friends whom you don't.

Top Menu Launchers to Look At

Sometimes the Windows 7 Start menu does not do the kinds of things that you want it to do. So here are some programs that will help you modify your tray menu system, and make it do more of what you want.

Kindlebility sends Web pages from your computer to your Kindle

Kindlebility is a bookmarklet that can send any Web page you're viewing to your Kindle. Kindlebility will format the websites so that viewing them on the Kindle isn't a pain. Once you've set it up (more on that in a moment), Kindlebility only requires one click to use -- and the pages arrive on your Kindle in seconds.

Amazon Fails While Apple Spies

Enjoy your weekend, everybody. JRC

Amazon failure takes down sites across Internet

Major websites including Foursquare and Reddit crashed or suffered slowdowns Thursday after technical problems rattled Amazon.com's widely used Web servers, frustrating millions of people who couldn't access their favorite sites.

Amazon Failure Feeds Worries About Cloud Services

Bulletproof cloud services may be a dream, as shown by the failure of Amazon's Elastic Compute Cloud, which in turn crippled major web sites. While Amazon rushed to fix the EC2 problems, the fact that the major service provider went down is feeding fears about cloud computing. The lesson from EC2 and Google failures is: Have a fall-back plan.

iPhone revealed to track, log users' locations

The iPhone and the 3G iPad keep logs of where users have been along with timestamps to show when they were at certain locations

How to Recycle Your Technology

We love our computers and electronics. That is, until they stop working. Then these computers and their peripherals, from printers to monitors, not to mention your handhelds, batteries, and accessories, often become digital garbage.

Top Menu Launchers to Look At

Sometimes the Windows 7 Start menu does not do the kinds of things that you want it to do. So here are some programs that will help you modify your tray menu system, and make it do more of what you want.

My Family Tree Software - Free

My Family Tree is a genealogy software to create your own family tree or import existing GEDCOM files for editing. It offers a modern interface that does not require you to be a historian in order to use it, and makes it easy to get started.

Windows 7 Choices…and Windows 8

One of few minor cons of buying a Kindle e-book reader is about to be eliminated. Kindle books have never been available to borrow from your local library.That is going to change. Amazon will make Kindle books available to borrow through libraries later this year.

And there is an interesting comparison for those of you thinking of upgrading to Windows 7…should you get the 32 bit or the 64 bit version? Well worth a read if you are going to be doing that.  And speaking of Windows, story #3 will look at the future of Windows 8, the next version coming on ???????. Enjoy this edition. - JRC

11, 000 Local Libraries in Kindle Lending Library - Amazon did it quietly.

Customers will be able to borrow Kindle books from over 11,000 local libraries to read on Kindle and free Kindle reading apps. Whispersyncing of notes, highlights and last page read to work for Kindle library books

Finally upgrading to Windows 7 - should I go 32- or 64-bit?

In practice, the only advantage of using 64-bit Windows is that you can install more physical memory. 32-bit versions of desktop Windows are limited to 4GiB of physical memory, and thanks to dubious compatibility restrictions, they can't even offer that much.

Windows 8: What's in Store for the OS of the Future?

Online communities, alleged insiders, and the blogosphere are bristling with details about Windows 8, the follow-up to the wildly popular Windows 7. Potential features generating the most excitement include ARM processor compatibility, faster startup time, interface enhancements, and new security features integrated into the system.

China set to surpass U.S. in PC purchases

When it comes to IT, China likes to build big, whether it's the world's largest supercomputer or city-size complexes dedicated to cloud computing. Now, China is near to adding something else to its list of big tech things: the world's largest market for PCs.

Media Jukebox - Free

Media Jukebox is a music player and organizer that offers many options for playing, managing, or creating digital music on your PC. It offers file organization, helping you find, store and play music and video, as well as CD ripping, CD burning, visual displays, CD-quality encoding

e-Books Rule and Good Info About Your Camera Phone

Summer seems to have attacked us in force here in Tucson. The last few days have been in the low 90’s, but absolutely wonderful in the early mornings and evenings. But the midday heat does keep me inside…working on blogs.

I found the first story fascinating since I am a big e-book reader. I keep a database of my e-books (Calibre) and it amazes me how many books I’ve read since receiving it as a Christmas gift in 2009. Of course, I am retired and spend a good amount of time reading at the pool. So I really rip through books these days. I still have a fair amount of paper books (AKA “Dead Tree Editions) and I always try to keep one of them going at all times…but there is no doubt that most of my reading is done on my Kindle.

I was also interested personally in story #4 as I now have a Droid X phone with a good quality 8MB camera built in. I like it but I really don’t have a handle on it yet. So story #4, was one that caught my attention. Obviously it won’t replace my Nikon, but it is still fun to do for the occasional snapshot. Anyway, I hope you find all the stories here of interest. Enjoy - JRC

eBooks overtake US paperbacks

e-books have become the single bestselling format in American publishing for the first time, according to new figures released yesterday.

Why the Flip Failed

The Flip was never my favorite pocket camcorder. That's partly because it was the darling of everyone else and also because I found more powerful options elsewhere, like the Kodak Zi6 (and then Zi8). Both offer HD video capture, a microphone-in jack and removable media. Flip didn't offer any of that; the Flip team always told me that those features would likely confuse consumers who just wanted to capture video. Now I realize they were right. In fact more right than any of us had imagined.

Top-rated netbooks

Netbooks are perfect travel companions and meet basic computing needs, including e-mailing, Web surfing, and simple document creation. Best of all, these low-powered machines cost less than the standard-issue laptop

How to Take Better Pictures with Your Smartphone's Camera

Camera phones have come a long way in the past few years, but they don't always take point-and-shoot quality pictures on the first try. Here's how to squeeze the best quality photos out of your smartphone's camera.

Top Free Picture Management Tools To Look At

Today's computers have access to numerous pictures, videos, and graphics. Keeping track of them can be a chore, so here are some Graphics Management Tools that will help you manage your pictures.

Pads and Daily Deals

Yesterday, I did my monthly trip to Costco to stock up on mostly food items (being single, I don’t need most of the huge quantities for sale at Costco). I noticed a large stack of the extremely popular Flip video cameras on display…a bit of surprise as Cisco just announced they are killing it off, after acquiring the company less than two years ago…and after selling millions of them! Why would they do such a thing? Still don’t understand it.

If you there is a tablet computer in you future, you may find the first two stories of interest. One of these days, I may get one myself, but am waiting for the product line to mature a little more. Just my opinion, folks.

Anyway, I hope your weekend is a good one. Our temps for the weekend here in Tucson will be in the low 90’s. Pool time, for sure. Enjoy. – JRC

Five Tablet Computer Myths, Busted Open

Google offshoot AdMob has been busy looking into what people use tablets for. It questioned around 1500 people, with the majority likely to be iPad users, bearing in mind Apple's current dominant position. The results make interesting reading and challenge popular assumptions.

Android tablets undercutting iPad prices

In an effort to attract buyers away from Apple's iPad, device makers are setting starting prices of Android tablets to undercut iPad's $499 entry-level price. The starting prices for tablets with 10.1-inch screens from ViewSonic, Asustek and Acer range from $279 to $449. The tablets run different versions of Google's Android OS, include 10.1-inch displays, run on dual-core ARM processors and are Flash-capable, something the iPad are not capable of.

Toshiba to launch self-erasing hard drives

Toshiba will soon debut a series of hard drives that can automatically erase or prevent access to their own data should the drives end up in the wrong hands. The company's new self-encrypting drive family will include a new feature that detects if the drive is connected to an unknown and undefined computer or other system. If so, the drive can either securely wipe all of its data or just deny access to that data.

The 5 best cloud storage services compared

Backup your files and access them from anywhere with the 5 best cloud storage services compared, including Dropbox, Amazon Cloud Drive, and Windows Live SkyDrive.

Five Best Daily Deals Sites

Daily deals sites offer some amazing, "ending soon" discounts on choice items and experiences. Here's a look at the five most popular daily deals sites.

A Cheaper Kindle and a Look at Windows 8

Discounted $114 Amazon Kindle to Come With Ads

Amazon is slashing $25 off the price of its popular Kindle e-book reader, but there's a catch: it will feature ads. The new $114 e-reader is a 6-inch Wi-Fi Kindle (normally $139) but it will include advertisements on the home screen and in screensavers. The move hopes to make Amazon's Kindle e-reader more accessible. Amazon says it has no plans to display ads in more expensive Kindle models.

Starbucks Pumps Digital Content in Stores

Starbucks has quietly amassed a fairly huge array of publications and resources, including the New York Times (via its special eReader edition), WSJ.com, USA Today, and Rodale fitness and health titles, all free to in-store Starbucks customers.

Stop Paying Too Much for Wireless Service

Have you ever actually studied your wireless service bill? A recent report suggests that a majority of users wildly over-estimate their needs and end up overpaying for service. There is a pretty good chance that you are giving too much money to your wireless provider one way or another.

Windows 8 Secrets Revealed

When we set out to divulge some of the secret new features in Windows 8, we knew that we had information no one else was going to get. We also knew that doing so was risky, and that Microsoft might ask us to stop or, worse, shut us out of future, legitimate briefings and reviewer workshops. Indeed, the original plan was to silently collect this information in advance of our next book, but with builds leaking publicly and various enthusiast blogs trumpeting their finds, we felt we had to act.

Best Free Genealogy / Family Tree Software

Genealogy software provides a method for recording the subjects of our research, e.g. their names, relationships, and events of their lives. Evidence (citations and sources) should be recorded to support the conclusions reached. They also print the reports and charts to show off the results of our labor. I looked at several free genealogy programs which will do a reasonable job for the novice or advanced genealogist.

Firefox 5 and All About Android

I could not believe my eyes when I read our first story. An all new Firefox coming in June? Wow. I just installed version 4 (and love it, by the way). Not long ago I published an article saying Mozilla was going to be more aggressive with their updates.  I guess they were serious.

Our number three story is about all things Android. Many of us have Android phones, including me, but there is much more to Android than that. So, if you have an Android product now or may get one in the future, be sure to read this story. By the way, researchers say the Android phones will blow past iPhones and be the #1 Smartphone in the very near future…I believe them. 

Enjoy - JRC

Watch for Firefox 5 Release in June

Mozilla has set an aggressive schedule for the next version of Firefox, slating the release of Firefox 5 for June 21. If it meets that schedule, Mozilla could crank out Firefox 6 just two months later. Mozilla has shifted to a faster-paced development cycle where it adds new features as it goes to a series of versions -- dubbed nightly, aurora, beta and Firefox -- each of which feeds into the next-most-stable build until a polished edition is released.

Windows 7 Overtakes Windows XP in USA

We’ve been wondering when this day will finally come for a while. It didn’t take Windows 7 too long to overtake Windows Vista in terms of market share, but we all agreed that the biggest test for Windows 7 would be to see if it could take down the mighty Windows XP. And it would appear that it has just done that.

The Android How To Guide: Tutorials, Tips, and Updates

Want to know more about Android for your phone or other devices? How about the Android operating system? Tons and tons of good information here including the best Android apps. This story is about all things Android.

Mozilla Publishes List of the 50 Slowest Firefox Add-Ons

Mozilla has released a Hall of Fame that software developers definitely don’t want to be on. To promote the fact that not all Firefox add-ons are created equal, the browser-builder has named and shamed sluggish extensions in a rouges gallery of poor-performing add-ons.

QuickSync Is a Simple Drag and Drop Folder Synchronization Tool for Windows

Windows: QuickSync is a minimal synchronization tool that lives in your system tray, allowing you to quickly bring it up and start syncing your data. To get started, all you have to do is drag and drop a folder onto its main window.

Government Shutdown and the Web

Well, the morons that run this country are at it again…getting ready to shut down the US Government for their own political agendas. Hundreds of thousands of people will be out of work, just adding to the misery of our current recession/depression. They seem like they just don’t give a damn about us…but why should they? We just keep electing the same old clowns over and over again.

OK, I am off my soap box. The first article here talks about government Web sites that may shut down tonight or tomorrow. But sorry kids, even if the IRS goes dark, you still have to file your taxes on time. And if you are worried about gas prices (and all prices for that matter) going up, don’t worry they will. But, what can you expect from a government that worries more about protecting the entertainment industry from piracy and preventing abortions than they do about the lives of the common man.

Oops…got back on my soap box again…sorry. - JRC

Federal Web sites may go dark in shutdown

Many federal Web sites will go dark if the government shuts down tonight, the White House indicated this afternoon. A 16-page memo (PDF) to federal agencies says their Web sites may stay online only in a small number of situations, including tax collection and handling "exempted" activities such as payments and other functions that are paid for by previous annual budgets.

Microsoft releases 64 fixes on April's bumper Patch Tuesday

Microsoft's patching is going from one extreme to the other. While March had just three bulletins fixing four vulnerabilities, next week 17 bulletins are being issued, fixing 64 different vulnerabilties. This ties with December 2010 as the most bulletins, and takes the clear lead for number of flaws fixed.

Chrome tips users to dangerous Windows downloads

Google on Tuesday said it will add malware download warnings to its Chrome browser. The move has Google following the lead of rival Microsoft, whose Internet Explorer 9 also alerts users about questionable software downloads.

Technology News: Malware: Online Security: Very Bad and Getting Worse

For many businesses and consumers, Symantec's news that cyberattacks are occurring with far greater frequency these days cannot be greeted with detachment, because they're striking so close to home. "At one point in time, hack attacks may have seemed theoretical to many people -- something that happened to someone else," observed SystemExperts consultant Philip Cox. The situation will only get worse -- the mobile onslaught hasn't even begun.

Free PDF to Word Doc Converter

Free PDF to Word Doc Converter enables you to convert PDF documents to Windows Word format (.doc). You can choose to convert the entire document or only selected pages, retain shapes and images from the original and also set a default font to use.

Dish Buys Blockbuster in Bankruptcy

Dish Network Buys Blockbuster, Plots a 2nd Act for the Video Rental Chain

Antiquated brick-and-mortar video rental stores and bulky satellite dishes have united with the auction for bankrupt Blockbuster. On Wednesday Dish Network secured the winning bid, purchasing Blockbuster for $320 million. But what will become of Blockbuster? First, the deal needs U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Burton Lifland's stamp of approval, according to Bloomberg, but then Dish can go ahead with its plans to reorganize the once-proud movie-rental chain, which once minted a fortune renting VHS tapes and charging late fees. Then came Netflix, on-demand movies from your cable provider, and a host of Internet-based streaming video services.

Study: More TV viewers in U.S. 'cutting the cord'

A growing number of people are willing to ditch their cable or satellite subscriptions in favor of online, over-the-air, and streaming television options, a new study from the Convergence Consulting Group has found. According to the researchers, 2.07 million U.S. television subscribers will have "cut the cord" between 2008 and the end of 2011. Between 2008 and 2009 alone, the firm said that 550,000 households cut the cord. Last year, it estimates 1 million households did the same.

Lawmakers tell Google to do more on antipiracy

The tone of a congressional hearing being held today on antipiracy was set early when Rep. Bob Goodlatte suggested that Google was falling down on its antipiracy efforts. The government of the US is about to shut down and the whores of Congress continue to do the bidding of their entertainment masters.

Evernote gets a real Web app

The previous version of the Web client for the note-taking and memory-keeping app was a workable fail-safe if you needed to get to your notes and didn't have access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone with the real client on it, but it was cumbersome and stylistically out of sync with the Evernote apps on other platforms.

The Best Free Software of 2011

Every year at this time, PCMag takes a look at what is worth installing on your PC— software that's totally free that does the job as well as, if not better, than the big boys. That's not to say programs from Microsoft, Adobe, and hundreds of other developers aren't worthwhile, but you should always be aware of your options, especially when they're free.

Focus on Cloud Storage

The term “The Cloud” has received a lot of play lately. I read about it almost daily in reviewing tech stories. Basically, the cloud is the Internet. Today’s top three articles focus on only one use of the cloud…as an external storage medium for your data. To me, that is presently its highest and best use.

Data should always be backed up to more than one kind of media…and at least one copy of your data should always be held off-site…in case of fire, flood, theft or other disasters. Many of you do your backups on to external drives…and that is just great. Better some backup than none. But in the event of a disaster such as those just mentioned, you could lose all your original data and the backups at the same time.

Here is where cloud storage comes in. It is a different kind of media than any other you have…and it is off-site. I recommend you read more about storing your most valuable data in the cloud and think about the possibilities. It just may save your bacon one day. - JRC

Cloud fight! Amazon Cloud Drive vs. Google Docs vs. Microsoft Skydrive - PCWorld

Analysis: The competition is getting more heated, and now the Box.net is entering the mix.

Use Multiple Online Cloud Storage Services for Free and Organized Backup

We recently reviewed a few popular cloud storage services in an attempt to help you choose the best one, but why should you necessarily have to choose just one? Instead, use them all to create an organized online backup system that's completely free. The concept is pretty simple: sign up for as many free cloud storage accounts as you need and utilize each one to back up different kinds of files.

Amazon Cloud Drive and Cloud Music Player - Review

Quietly, but relentlessly, online retailing giant Amazon has moved to establish itself as the cloud-based platform and ecosystem with the most value, and as astonishing as this sounds, this company may in fact be the most powerful competition that Apple, Google, and Microsoft will face in the coming years.

Malware E-mail Poses As Windows Security Update

E-mails posing as critical Microsoft Windows security updates are actually deploying corrupted files that can infect computers with a dangerous strand of malware. The security firm Sophos is warning users to be on the lookout for e-mails titled “Update your Windows,” which contain a letter purporting to be from Steve Lipner, Microsoft’s director of security assurance. The message informs recipients that Microsoft has issued a “high priority” security update for several versions of Windows, and instructs them to download the .zip file attached to the e-mail.

How to Fix Your Wireless Internet Connection Problems

Without question, your router is one of the most useful and convenient tech devices you own. But many of you probably view it as one of the biggest sources of frustration, anxiety, and downright anger. The fact is, setting up a home router—and keeping it running—is still more complicated and demanding of tech knowledge than the average user would like it to be.

It’s April Fools Day, But No Pranks Here

Oh yes, its April 1, the day when the tech industry and those who write about it play pranks on unsuspecting readers like you and me. In fact, one got me earlier today, but only for a couple of minutes.  I was just up, barely having attacked my first cup of coffee, but awake enough to browse the latest stories. Lo and behold, I find a story that says Microsoft is leaving the home computer market after the release of Windows 8.

With my brain a little foggy, I bought it for a few minutes, until a glance at my calendar told me it was April 1st. Then it hit. Duh! they got me, but only briefly.  Just in case, I checked the other major news outlets and discovered no one else was carrying the story. Then I knew. What got me is that there was some credence to this being a real story.

For a look at some of the great April Fools jokes running around the Internet today, check out story #1. But, rest assured, all the stories here have been vetted for any possible pranks. Enjoy your weekend. - JRC

April Fools' Day 2011--who's gonna get you, sucka?

For years now, the tech industry has been a sucker for the "gotcha" moment every April 1. Teams at companies large and small cook up clever gadgets and widgets and such that sound ever so almost plausible. Or not. In case you hadn't already noticed, April Fools' Day is here again. A flurry of pranks has descended upon us via the Web. Some of them are quite smart and might just elicit a few chuckles from even the most cynical of us. Others are just plain goofy.

How Amazon has outsmarted the music industry (and Apple)

What Apple took away, Amazon has restored.  I’m talking, of course, about Lala, the pioneering digital music service that Apple purchased in December 2009 and shut down more than a year ago. The first thing Apple did, almost immediately after purchasing the company, was to disable its Music Mover feature, which allowed Lala members to upload their personal music collections to a cloud-based locker where they could play it from any web browser.

Browser Wars

When it comes to choosing a Web browser today, you're spoiled for choice. Major new releases Internet Explorer 9 and Firefox 4 have brought these two big name browsers to near parity with upstart Google Chrome and longtime innovator Opera. The current crop of surfing software all include plenty of speed, minimized interfaces for a better look at that site you're browsing, and support for the emerging HTML5 standard markup language.

How to Buy the Best Tablet

Android tablets like the Motorola Xoom and upcoming second-generation Samsung Galaxy Tabs taking aim at the iPad. Upon first glance, the upcoming RIM BlackBerry PlayBook also looks to be quite the competitor, with its own operating system and the ability to run some Android apps. So which of the plethora of deceivingly similar-looking tablets is worth your sizable investment? Let's look at the key factors you need to consider:

Best Free BitTorrent Client

Since its inauspicious public appearance 8 years ago Bittorrent has become one of the major download formats. With good reason too: it's fast, equitable and efficient. If you haven't yet installed a Bittorrent client on your PC, you should as there are some great freeware clients available.   In Bittorrent the best clients are free.  (In fact, if a client costs money, it is most likely a scam).

Amazon First to Get Music Storage on the Web

Amazon launches digital music locker

Amazon got the jump on Apple and Google this evening with the launch of a much-anticipated digital music locker service that allows users to store their music on the Web and then listen to their collections on computers with a Web browser or on Android devices. Amazon Cloud Drive allows users to upload their digital music files--either AAC or MP3 formats--at their original bit rate to Amazon servers for storage and playback on any Web-connected PC, Mac, or Android device, wherever they are.

OMG! LOL: Internet Slang Added to Oxford English Dictionary

Time-saving online abbreviations like LOL, OMG, and IMHO are now part of the official English language. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) announced the addition of several acronyms to its dictionary, adding some interesting trivia behind the origins of these Internet-associated expressions.

Facebook Lets Users Put Questions in a Bottle

Facebook has opened up its new Questions feature, allowing curious questioners to query their friends and friends' friends on anything, any topic, any time. Facebook filters the answers to bring up those from members' direct circles of friends first. The addition has already caught the eyes of marketers, who see new potential in direct interactions with customers via social media.

10 gadgets you should actually get rid of (or not)

A recent New York Times article outlines several consumer electronics that you may or may not need, from digital cameras to books. But in reading it, I found myself disagreeing with several of his suggestions, which are meant for a broad (but fairly educated) audience — after all, the Times is among the most popular news outlets in the world.

WinHotKey - Free

Freeware application WinHotKey is a great first step toward the world of one-button automation, because it builds a ton of customizations into a program that's pretty simple to use--at least, in comparison to the relatively script-heavy hotkey applications

No News Today…Only Good Info and Tips

Some days are filled with exciting tech news, other days are so quiet you can hear a pin drop. That is what is happening today. But I always can find good information and some useful tips to make your computing more productive and useful.  I hope you find today’s stories to be helpful. - JRC

New Western Digital Drives Store Up To 6TB of Content

Content creators and Mac fans have been targeted with Western Digital's new My Book Studio Edition II hard drives. With storage up to 6TB, the Western Digital drives are compatible with Apple's Time Machine and can be reformatted for Windows PCs. The My Book Studio Edition II line offers dual drives and a five-year limited warranty.

How E-Books Are Coming Full Circle Thanks to Tablets

As tablet sales, led primarily by Apple’s iPad, gain momentum, it seems everyone wants in on the market. Not only are traditional computing and smartphone companies launching or announcing new slates, but e-reader makers look ready to do the same. The Barnes & Noble Nook Color, built to run on Google’s Android platform, will reportedly gain an app store next month, while Amazon just launched its own app store for Android devices earlier this week; possibly in advance of launching its own tablet. Standalone e-book readers have their benefits, but the shift to reading on multipurpose tablets is on.

Top 10 Clever Uses for Spare Thumb Drives

Chances are you've accumulated a few spare thumb drives over the years, choosing new ones thanks to better form factors and increased capacities. But what do you do with the old ones that are just lying around? Here are our top 10 clever, fun, and practical uses for your spare thumb drives.

Wikipedia Beautifier makes the encyclopedia more readable, removes clutter

Wikipedia Beautifier is an extension for Google Chrome that removes all the clutter from Wikipedia and lets you focus on the most important aspect of the online encyclopedia: its content. Wikipedia Beautifier has been inspired by Readability, and aims to provide the same amount of article-centered beauty, while also keeping the familiar navigation menus within reach.

Free Cleanup Utility SlimComputer Removes Unneeded Apps

This program from Slimware Utilities (maker of SlimDrivers) looks through your system for toolbars, trialware, and other unneeded programs and files, shows you what it finds, and will delete them for you if you want them gone.

How to Protect Your Privacy On-Line

I have always hated the idea that companies can stick tracking cookies on my computer without my knowledge…then use them to try and sell me products I don’t want.  It’s my computer, dammit, so keep your grubby little cookies all to yourself. In that vain, story #3 here is an excellent article that everyone who has a browser should read. Learn how to protect your privacy.

Along the same line, story #4 explains how to turn on the “Do Not Track” mode that will help you understand how to further protect yourself. All my browsers now have that protection turned on.

I found the article on the dangers now facing our public libraries fascinating, especially the what sanctions and limitations book publishers are forcing on them. And finally, if you use CCleaner like me, you may be interested in a free new add-on to this great program. So let’s get started. - JRC

AT&T deal won't mean iPhones for T-Mobile users yet

Giddy T-Mobile users hoping to get their hands on an iPhone shouldn't hold their breath. Even though AT&T announced its intention to acquire T-Mobile this week in a $39 billion blockbuster merger, T-Mobile says that it has no plans to support the Apple iPhone on its network in the near future. The reason, the company says, is that the AT&T deal isn't expected to be finished for at least another year and T-Mobile thus "remains an independent company."

Can libraries survive in a digital world?

Publishers stand accused of "nonsensical" policies on e-book lending to libraries. So, with nearly $1bn spent on e-books last year in the US alone, what does this mean for the institutions already at risk of closure?

Protect Your Privacy: Browse the Web Safely

When you browse the Web, it's like you've allowed a bunch of companies to implant a tracking device in your arm and a small camera in your head, recording where you go and what you look at. Thanks to ad networks, search engines, ISPs, and social networks, your online activities are tracked, analyzed, and sold. But there are a few things you can do to maintain some degree of privacy.

Understanding Do Not Track - Universal Web Tracking Opt-Out

Do Not Track is a technology that enables users to opt out of third-party web tracking, including behavioral advertising.

CCleaner Gets Even Better With CCEnhancer

If you're a fan of CCleaner, the best free clean-up tool you can find anywhere, you'll be a fan of free CCEnhancer as well. As the name says, it enhances CCleaner's already considerable capabilities

Get Your Red Hot Firefox4 Now

Firefox 4 hit the market yesterday and is a major success already. 4.7 million folks downloaded the new browser in less than 24 hours after it’s release….me included. Just to compare, when IE9 hit the market one week ago, it had only 2.35 million downloads in the first 24 hours. But comparing those numbers comes with a caveat…IE9 only works with Windows 7 and Vista, whereas Firefox works with all operating systems.

And what do I think of the the new Firefox 4? I like it. It seems faster and its interface is sleeker. There were a few things I didn’t like…a couple of my favorite add-on’s don’t work yet, but I am sure they will shortly…and some other changes to the toolbar irritated me. But, I was able to fix those, thanks to story #3 below.

And while this blog mainly covers Firefox, the last two stories here are about both IE9 and Chrome 10. Don’t want to leave anyone out (sorry Opera fans). So, it has been a big week for all the major browsers. So, which one will you use? - JRC

Firefox 4 launches into a tougher, faster world

Three years ago, Firefox 3 set the record for most downloads in a 24-hour period, cracking 8 million and positioning itself as a viable alternative to Internet Explorer. Firefox 4, released today to the public at large after 12 public betas, two release candidates, and nearly a year of development, faces a hugely different landscape. Microsoft's Internet Explorer remains the dominant browser. And in less than three years, a significant chunk of the browser market has taken a shine to relative newcomer Google Chrome.

What's New and Awesome in Firefox 4

Windows/Mac/Linux: Firefox 4 is officially out, and it's got a lot going for it, including a more minimalistic interface, synchronization, and a serious speed increase. Here are the major changes in Firefox 4:

How to Fix Annoyances with Firefox 4's New Look

Firefox 4 has a lot going for it, but many of you (and us) mentioned that its UI has a few quirks that are a little annoying. Here's how to fix some of the worst offenders.

Internet Explorer 9: A Getting Started Guide

The new Web browser features a lot of interesting new tools such as taskbar shortcuts and dynamic jumplists, extensive HTML 5 support, hardware acceleration for improved graphics performance, and has a streamlined interface that puts more focus on the Web page and less on the browser window. Before you get started, here are a few quick tips to get you up and running with the best features IE9 has to offer.

Google Chrome 10 Review and Features

The major new feature in Chrome 10 is the ability to run web applications in the background. There is a useful improvement in the preferences user interface, but the touted JavaScript performance improvements – a 66 per cent boost – achieved through Google’s own benchmarks, are not reflected in our benchmarks, which showed a four to nine per cent increase recorded on our Windows systems. A good update, adding significantly to one of the top two browsers.

Special Edition–The AT&T/T-Mobil Acquisition

Is the AT&T acquisition of T-Mobile a good thing a bad thing.  This special edition gives you the story plus the pro and cons on both sides. What do you think? - JRC

AT&T to acquire T-Mobile USA for $39 billion

In a blockbuster mobile deal, AT&T announced today it had agreed to acquire T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom for $39 billion. The acquisition will bolster AT&T's dominance in the U.S. with the addition of more than 33 million subscribers to its 95.5 million customer user base, giving it a new total of more than 129 million subscribers. Glad I left T-Mobil recently for Verizon.

5 Pros and Cons for AT&T's T-Mobile Buyout

some see a better future for American wireless consumers as a result of the deal. Independent analyst Jeffrey Kagan told Computerworld the deal will not drive up pricing since three major carriers will still compete against each other. Is Kagan looking at the world through rose-colored glasses or is Free Press far too worried about monopoly control over the U.S. wireless market? Here's a look at five pros and cons for the AT&T and T-Mobile deal.

AT&T and T-Mobile: Good for whom?

A rumored acquisition of T-Mobile has long been percolating for a few months--up until today Sprint was listed as the likely buyer--but the news of AT&T swooping nonetheless is shocking. And as I see it, it's not very good for T-Mobile customers.

AT&T-Mobile Is a Win for T-Mobile’s Customers

Consensus: Sunday's announcement of the AT&T and T-Mobile merger is a bad situation for everyone involved except for maybe T-Mobile customers.

Google Blames China for Blocking e-Mail

Of course the big story over the weekend was the acquisition of T-Mobile by AT&T. Later today, we will have a special edition of this newsletter that covers this subject, both pro and con. Look for it.

But there are more good stories that mean might more for the majority of my readers. I like the idea of the White House pushing for an Internet users so-called “Bill of Rights”…and the on-going saga of Google vs. China.  I have also included a story on how to make old software work in the newer versions of Windows…and a link to a nice piece of software for photographers, pro, amateur, and casual shooters. Enjoy. - JRC 

AT&T Wireless to Buy T-Mobile for $39 Billion

AT&T announced Sunday that it will purchase T-Mobile for $39 billion in a blockbuster deal that will create the largest wireless carrier in the United States. The combined company will have more than 129 million subscribers—AT&T Wireless currently has 95.5 million, and T-Mobile has 33.7 million—compared with more than 101 million subscribers for current market leader Verizon Wireless.

Google says China blocking its email services

Google said Monday the Chinese government is interfering with its email services in China, making it difficult for users to gain access to its Gmail program, amid an intensified Internet crackdown following widespread unrest in the Middle East.
Google Inc. said its engineers have determined there are no technical problems with the email service or its main website.

White House pushes for online privacy bill of rights

The White House is urging Congress to enact a new "privacy bill of rights" that would provide clearer guidelines to online users and businesses about the collecting of personal information over the Internet.

How to Make Old Programs Work in Windows Vista and 7

Many good programs and games that were written for Windows XP have problems in Windows Vista or Windows 7. There are two approaches to getting older applications to work in the more recent operating systems and they are the subject of this tip.

An Excellent Free Tool to Shrink Your Digital Images

Sometimes you might need to create a version of a picture file that's not quite as large as the original. Most often this will be because you want to upload it to a picture sharing web site that imposes a file size limit, or you need to email a batch of pictures to someone and the email system you're using has a limit on attachment sizes. No problem.

Battle of the Browsers

So which Web browser do you use? Or do you, like me, use more than one. Which is the best? Maybe this first article will help you pick the right one or two. Which do I use? Well, you may ask. Look for an upcoming article very shortly on my browsers of choice, and just as important, which plug-ins I use.

Here is more browser news. The final version of Firefox 4 will be released in 4 days, on the 22nd. And now it seems that Mozilla is adopting Chrome’s fast version release.  Also due out this year will be versions 5, 6, and 7. Wow, stay tuned for the important news on browsers so you don’t get left in the dust. - JRC

Help - Chrome 10, Firefox 4.0, or IE9? The Browser Choice

The three browsers all sport a minimal interface, are nearly equally fast, and offer good support for HTML5. How do you choose? I'll outline how the three new big-time browsers stack up in the major categories you should care about: Interface, Speed, Security and Privacy, Standards Support, and Extra features. Note that this piece considers only the three new browsers, as Chrome 10 has already beaten out Opera 11 and Safari 5 in our lab testing.

Quake May Affect Tech Industry for Six Months

World technology hardware supplies will take as long as six months to resume normal flows following disruptions from last week's massive earthquake in Japan, a lead Bank of America Merrill Lynch researcher said on Wednesday. The magnitude 9.0 quake and deadly tsunami on Friday will prompt manufacturers to reexamine supplies in Japan, then look for outside suppliers if needed and finally sort out component mismatches resulting from deals with new vendors.

How to Avoid Japan Donation Scams

The devastation and suffering in Japan after a powerful earthquake and tsunami is unimaginable. Everyone wants to (and
should) help. Unfortunately, there are some dastardly people out there who prey on people's sympathies and try to trick you into helping the wrong people. This article helps you avoid scams.

How to Prevent Time Zone Mess-Ups While Traveling

For the most part, cell phones and laptops pick up automatically when changing time zones. But it seems like something always goes wrong, either in planning or on the spot, and you can miss something important. What can a person do to prevent future time zone mix-ups?

Eight free Windows 7 tools you gotta try

The smartphone marketing phrase "there's an app for that" got me thinking -- isn't there an application for pretty much anything and everything I need on my PC? And aren't those apps typically free? Yes, pretty much. Here are eight of my recent Windows tools discoveries.

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.