What? No DVD Playback in Windows 8?

Has the leadership at Microsoft gone completely off its rocker? If and when you get a computer running Windows 8 in the future, just try and play a DVD. It won't work. There is no way to do it. Can you believe this new nonsensical move by the boys from Redmond? I can't. Why in the hell would anybody buy Windows 8 when some of the best features of Windows will be gone.

Now there is a caveat to this. You can still get get DVD playback if you buy Windows 8 Pro version for more money...then spend even more and buy the Windows Media Player add-on. But, there is no doubt enterprising folk will provide a DVD player app to work in Windows 8...just like someone will provide a Start Button to replace the one Microsoft removed.

I predict here and now that Windows 8 will be a flop. Businesses will not adopt it and folks running Windows 7 will not upgrade. There is no doubt in my mind that Microsoft has lost its way. New leadership with vision is needed from the top on down or they will continue to flounder. Just my opinion, folks. -JRC 

FBI Aims to Pry Open New Channels for Web Surveillance

The FBI is pushing for a change in 1994's CALEA law that would make social networking websites and online chat services more easily accessed by law enforcement surveillance teams. The bureau has asserted that a change in the way people communicate has lessened its wiretapping ability, a problem it refers to as "going dark."

Osama bin Laden didn't use encryption: 17 documents released

Osama bin Laden didn’t use encryption to protect the thousands of files stored in the Pakistani compound where he was killed. 17 of the 6,000 documents have now been publicly released.

The real story behind the big Microsoft and B&N deal

How could Microsoft and Barnes & Noble launch a historic joint venture when they were at each others' throats a few month ago? Read on

Microsoft goes green: data centers, offices to be carbon neutral come July

The program will begin in July, at the start of Microsoft's 2013 fiscal year, and includes a company-wide carbon fee, whereby various divisions will be held accountable for their own energy usage.

No Windows 8 DVD playback will mean increased costs, and consumer confusion

Windows 8 users who want out-of-the-box DVD playback capability will not only have to purchase the higher-priced Pro edition, but also the optional Media Center Pack. This is bad news for consumers because it means increased costs, more confusion, and the potential for more 'crapware' to be installed on new PCs.

 The iPad Has Killed The Netbook

While we can debate how much the iPad cannibalizes Apple’s MacBook sales, there’s no doubt that the device is continuing to kill of the entire netbook industry. While iPad sales are literally selling as fast as Apple can make them, netbook sales continue to plummet

New ZoneAlarm antivirus-firewall combo competes for free

For years, the firewall has been a feature restricted to paid upgrades in comprehensive security suites. ZoneAlarm just upended that paradigm with its new ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus+Firewall.

Manage multiple online storage accounts from one place with Otixo

Otixo is a free online service that will connect with multiple cloud storage accounts and present them to you in a single, easy to use dialog.

Versatile Free Program for Saving or Printing a List of Your Windows Files and Folders

One of the features lacking in Windows Explorer is a way to create a list of the files in a folder. A new program called Karen’s Directory Printer solves this problem and comes with a selection of features that are quite useful.

Is Google in Trouble Again?

Lots of news and features to report in this edition...so, without any further ado, lets get to it...JRC

Google's Wi-Fi spygate troubles have only just begun

 

Google probably thought it was tossing water on that smoldering Wi-Fi spying controversy by releasing the full version of that FCC report a few days ago -- turns out it was gasoline instead. Now Google is looking at a raging inferno that could engulf the company.

Organ donations spike after new addition to Facebook Timeline

 

Organ donations saw a spike after Facebook added a feature to Timeline Tuesday that allows users to register to become organ donors. Results from the launch are staggering. Within hours of Facebook's announcement, the registry Donate Life California reported donor signups increased by 800 percent compared with Monday.

Amazon tries to catch up in personal cloud storage and falls further behind

 

If you don't know the Amazon Cloud Drive, like the other personal cloud storage services, it offers you 5GBs of free storage for starters. You can also store any MP3 music files you buy from Amazon in it without those counting towards your limit.

MS Patch Tuesday heads-up: 7 bulletins, 23 vulnerabilities

 

All versions of Microsoft’s flagship Windows operating system are affected by this month’s releases, including the newest Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

 

Microsoft Is Killing the Windows Live Brand

 

Microsoft revealed today that it is killing the Windows Live brand though many of the current Windows Live applications and services will continue with different names or, in Windows 8, as new Metro-styled apps. This move was long anticipated and parallels a related move to kill the Zune media brand.

Google Privacy - Free Firefox Add-in

 

Google Privacy is a Firefox add-in that allows you to control which search result links are tracked by Google and other websites, including Bing, YouTube, Yahoo and Facebook. 

Best smartphones for under $100 (roundup)

 

When it comes to picking out a smartphone that'll cost you less than $100, there's plenty of good news to go around. Constant sales on older-model phones mean that carriers are giving away great handsets in exchange for your two-year contract commitment.

The Rise of Beautiful Apps

 

A noticeable trend this year is beautiful apps or websites. It's all part of a larger trend that I'm calling The Visual Web, meaning that images and video are becoming an increasingly important part of what we consume online. 

Stupid tech support tricks: IT calls of shame

 

Pronoun problems, IT ghosts, the runaway mouse -- when it comes to computers, the customer isn't always right. Some funny stuff here.

Microsoft and Barnes and Noble Cuddle Up

First, they are suing them...then they make them partners. How weird is that? Not really...at least not in the world of high tech. Windows 8 users will be able to access hundreds of thousands of books for downloading on to the B&N Nook tablet. Of course, this move is Microsoft's attempt to disrupt the stranglehold Apple and Amazon have on tablets. In fact, don't be surprised if sometime in the future Barnes and Noble put out their own tablet running Windows 8. More in our first story.

And speaking of tablets, I continue to use and love my own Apple iPad 3. My biggest worry was integrating my iPad with my Windows world. That turns out not to be an issue. They mesh together quite well. I can use most of my most favorite Windows applications quite easily on the iPad. And now with the addition of Skydrive to both my desktop computer and my iPad, all my files are now available to me everywhere. 

I downloaded two apps that let me use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on the iPad for free, plus there is a version of OneNote for the iPad. I've also integrated my mail, calendar, to-do lists, and contact lists directly from Outlook to the iPad via iCloud. And, of course, the retinal display on the iPad is the most gorgeous screen I have ever seen. So, if you are thinking about a tablet in your future, my recommendation is to get an iPad.

That's it for now...enjoy the rest of the show. -JRC   

Microsoft Partners with B&N in Nook Venture

The new partnership between Microsoft and Barnes & Noble gave a peek at one of the first fruits of their venture: a Nook application for Windows 8. The Nook app will extend the reach of Barnes & Noble's digital bookstore to hundreds of millions of Microsoft Windows users around the world, allowing access to Barnes & Noble's digital catalog. 

Report: Apple Legally Sidesteps Billions in Taxes

A published report says Apple Inc. uses subsidiaries in Ireland, the Netherlands and other low-tax nations as part of a strategy that enables the technology Relevant Products/Services giant to cut its global Relevant Products/Services tax bill by billions of dollars every year.

iTunes users griping about Apple's security questions

Apple recently ramped up stricter security measures for iTunes and iOS users in an attempt to prevent accounts from being abused or compromised. Beyond just entering a password, some users are now being asked to choose three security questions and a backup e-mail address when they try to download content.

Facebook's 'life-saving tool' -- an organ donor feature

The wide-reaching social network now offers the ability to share whether you are an organ donor, in the hopes that this will save more lives on a daily basis. 

Do I Really Need to Worry About Security When I’m Using Public Wi-Fi?

Is protecting yourself worth all of the fuss? We think so, and while we understand that VPNs and other security tools can slow down your system or be buggy and quirky at times, we have to fall back on the old adage, "Security through obscurity is no security at all."

Dropbox, SkyDrive, Google Drive: which one is right for you?

If you’re a Windows user looking for free online storage, three services stand out from the rest. Although Dropbox, SkyDrive, and Google Drive are superficially similar, there are some big differences. Here’s what to look for. 

How To Automatically Backup My Documents Folder To SkyDrive

I am sure many of you love to save your documents in the cloud so you can access it from anywhere and also for the backup purpose. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could automatically backup all documents and files in My Documents folder to your SkyDrive account? Well you can.

MySites for Chrome Transforms the New Tab Page into a Metro-Inspired Speed Dialer

If Chrome's built-in new tab page looks a little plain to you, or if you like the look of Microsoft's Metro UI, MySites is a Chrome extension that changes the new tab page into a start page decorated with a web search bar and colorful tiles that you can click to go straight to your most commonly accessed sites and favorites.

FotoSketcher - Free

Convert your photographs into high-quality, realistic artworks for free using FotoSketcher.

More on SkyDrive vs. Google Drive

I have pounded on Microsoft a lot lately. Well, today, I come not to bury Microsoft (again), but to praise them (thanks, Shakespeare).  Finally, the boys from Redmond changed SkyDrive into something very useful and free to folks like you and me.

Prior to Monday, using SkyDrive was absurdly ridiculous…now, its easy and very useful. It continually syncs the files on your computer (you choose which ones) up into the cloud. But it’s not only a backup system, but also useful if you use more than one computer. So, you can work on a file on your laptop and it will automatically sync it to the cloud and to your desktop computer. Your updated files are available to you everywhere.

You can also share those files you choose with other folks. It’s very good, although I would look for a few additional tweaks in the future. I can also set it up to deliver those files I want for my iPad and Android Phone. And, as I mentioned last time, if you were an existing user of SkyDrive, you can get 25GB of storage space for free (new users get 7GB free). I have been testing it for the last two days and it works just fine.

As for Google Drive, their terms of service has opened up a firestorm of criticism, right out of the gate. Here is what is says:

“When you upload or otherwise submit content to our Services, you give Google (and those we work with) a worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works (such as those resulting from translations, adaptations or other changes that we make so that your content works better with our Services), communicate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute such content.”

What? You are joking!! My stuff belongs to me and Google has no right to use it. So I won’t be using Google Drive any time soon. Besides, SkyDrive works so much better, at least for me. Google Drive is too much like DropBox, which I stopped using a few months ago. But, its time you discover all this for yourself. Read on…-JRC 

Cloudbusting: SkyDrive vs. Live Mesh vs. Google Drive vs. Dropbox

In the wake of this week’s surprisingly similar releases of the SkyDrive and Google Drive applications for Windows, it’s now clearer that both companies have the same service, Dropbox, in their sights. This wasn’t obvious at first since Microsoft already had a service, Windows Live Mesh, which was in many ways superior to Dropbox.

Who owns your files on Google Drive?

Dropbox and Microsoft's SkyDrive allow you to retain your copyright and IP rights to the work you upload to the service, but Google Drive takes everything you own.

5 Reasons Microsoft SkyDrive is Better Than Google Drive

If you're looking for a new service to sync and store files across multiple devices and the cloud, you should give SkyDrive a serious look. Not only do you get more free storage, but you'll also have an easier time managing online documents and you get free remote access to your home PC while you're on the go. Google Drive may be the current media darling, but for people just looking to get some work done here's why you should give SkyDrive a try.

Security firm claims Mac security is "10 years behind" Microsoft

Not content to dispel the "myth" that Macs are impervious to malware last week, Kaspersky Lab CEO Eugene Kaspersky is sounding the Mac malware alarm again this week. During the Info Security 2012 conference, he claimed that Apple is 10 years behind Microsoft on the security front.

In Win for Amazon, Judge Rules Against Online Sales Tax

A judge in Illinois has ruled against a law that would enable the state to collect tax on online sales from out-of-state companies. The ruling is seen as a promising victory for marketing affiliates as well as ecommerce giant Amazon, which has been lobbying against online sales tax in several states for years.

Taking stock of the Windows 8 versions

Microsoft just released details on the versions of Windows 8 it'll offer when the OS ships - most likely sometime in October. The easiest way to understand Win8′s new SKUs is to compare them with Windows 7. Here’s the breakdown.

Microsoft Security Essentials 4.0

After almost 6 months in Beta, Microsoft Security Essentials 4.0 is ready for download. This is the latest version of Microsoft’s free anti-virus/anti-malware utility and what I use to protect my own PCs.

Choose the best cheap tablet

There are some great tablets to be found under $300, but there's also plenty of garbage. To make sense of it all, here are some tips for choosing a great low-cost tablet for your needs.

Where to Find Windows 7 Gadgets

Microsoft discontinued Windows 7 Gadgets, probably because they conflict with their new Metro Interface. But if you like Gadgets, like I do, here is where you can still get them.

Visual Thesaurus Helps You Think Of Ideas

Graphwords (www.graphwords.com) is a visual thesaurus that produces output which is a cross between a mindmap and a tag cloud. Just enter a word and, a couple of seconds later, you have a scrollable, zoomable diagram full of words and phrases related to your original word.

Free Storage Solutions from Microsoft and Google.

Within 24 hours of each other, bitter rivals Microsoft and Google each released their own versions of cloud storage…or, more accurately, Microsoft upgraded their existing solution to be far more useful. Microsoft drastically updated their user interface on SkyDrive, making it much easier to use and giving every user 7 GB of free synchronized storage…and if you are an existing SkyDrive user, such as myself, you can upgrade your space to 25 GB…which of course, I did. That’s a pretty good deal.

FYI, in case you did not know, synchronized storage means files created on any computer you own are instantaneously added to the cloud so that all your computers are always in sync with your data whenever they come on line. It’s a great solution for backups and for being able to access data from anywhere. Microsoft’s solution adds smartphones, and other portable devices (like the iPad) to the mix.

Google’s new and highly anticipated Google Drive also came to market today, offering users 5 GB of free synchronized storage. Google’s methodology is much like DropBox in that you assign one location on each computer where all your syncable files are stored. With SkyDrive, they can be anywhere.

As I received 25GB of free storage from Microsoft, that is the solution I am going with for now. But, I will be testing out both. I suggest you read both articles below and decide for yourself. I will let you know in the near future how I feel about both of them.  So, let’s get started…-JRC

Microsoft takes on DropBox with major SkyDrive update

Microsoft has rolled out a set of new SkyDrive apps and new online capabilities to make SkyDrive the one-stop shop for file syncing and remote file access.

Free storage for you: Google Drive Arrives Today

The rumors were true. Google's personal cloud-based storage service, Google Drive, has been released today with 5GB of free storage. It includes both free and commercial versions.

Desktop File Syncing Faceoff: Dropbox vs. Google Drive

Google's new file syncing service, Google Drive, is finally available and it looking pretty great. But how does it stack up against the current king of file syncing, Dropbox? Here's where each app shines (and falls short).

Firefox 12 released - can now update itself

Mozilla has announced the official release of Firefox 12. In the latest release, Mozilla has included the previously announced update service for Windows that spares users the User Account Control (UAC) pop-up.

Android Is Suddenly In A Lot Of Trouble

The mobile story for 2011 was the rise of Android. It looks like the mobile story for 2012 is not going to be so good for Android. It appears as though the operating system is in choppy waters, and is suddenly facing a lot of trouble.

20% of Macs CarryWindows Malware; 2.7% Have OS X Infections

The security firm Sophos said that, while some Mac users are beginning to realize that their platform is increasingly being targeted, cyber-criminals look at Macs as a "soft target" for malware because many owners don't have anti-virus software and often have higher levels of disposable income than typical Windows users.

How to cope with the Gmail redesign

Reports are coming in from around the Internet that the Gmail redesign, which we were previously able to stave off with “revert to the old look temporarily”, is now forcing itself upon us. I too have succumbed to the new design, and have been forced to find ways to cope. Here’s what I did to make it semi-bearable:

100 Tips from a Professional Photographer

Here's a list of tips, advice, rules and just things to know about photography from Eric Kim, a street photographer who also holds photography workshop classes. I think the gist of it is to keep taking pictures always.

iTunes tips and tricks

In this installment, I answer questions about some of the little things in iTunes, tips and tricks that every iTunes user should know.

TweakNow PowerPack 2011 4.1

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.