Little Tech News Today…But Loads of Good Info and Tips.

Reports: Tea Party leader arrested on piracy charges

A leader of a South Carolina Tea Party group has been arrested for allegedly selling pirated software, according to reports. Anthony Trinca, 61, is accused of selling versions of Microsoft Office, Windows, Adobe Photoshop, and Rosetta Stone language programs that were counterfeit

Wal-Mart adds streaming video to its website

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has added streaming movies to its website as the world's largest retailer attempts to grab a bigger share of the online movie market from rival service Netflix Inc. The decision to offer movie sales and rentals through Walmart.com comes just two weeks after Netflix raised prices for the majority of its customers. The price hike provoked howls of protest from consumers and disappointing subscriber growth projections, leading to a significant drop in Netflix's stock price.

What works for you: Hotmail versus Gmail

The newest version of Hotmail might not have Gmail’s cool factor, but it does have some new features worth a second look. Find out how Windows Live Hotmail stands up to Gmail in terms of spam filtering, security features, and social-networking integration.

What are Netflix and Hulu users watching, and how?

What are all those Netflix and Hulu viewers watching, and how are they accessing that content? A new study out yesterday from Nielsen offers some answers. Among Netflix subscribers, 53 percent watch movies, 11 percent tune into TV shows, and 36 percent catch a mixture of both. But among Hulu viewers, only 9 percent are streaming movies, 73 percent are watching TV episodes, and 18 percent grab both equally.

Cleaning Up Windows 7

In general, I’ve never really had to do any maintenance work on Windows 7. I’ve never had to go through my hard drive and see what’s taking up space and slowing things down. I’ve never manually had to perform a disk defragment, or even used the disk clean up tool. Windows 7 just seems to take care of itself. It pretty much does all these things automatically without you ever knowing. But inevitably, your desktop will start to become cluttered, things get messy. You’ve new folders everywhere, shortcuts going nowhere and a bunch of old useless programs wasting unnecessary space.

The advanced system-recover toolkit

If you want to build an advanced system-cleaning and -recovery toolkit, here are my recommendations. Some of these tools have been around for a while, and some are in beta. Test them out and see what you find — you might be surprised.

Mac vs. PC via McDonald's Wi-Fi guide

A picture paints a thousand words--especially if that picture shows Vista and XP dialog boxes sprinkled with references to "DNS servers" and Internet protocols.

Free Image Converter

It should perhaps more accurately be called Free Image Resizer, because that--and not file conversion--is what it actually does. Still, as long as you're looking to resize images and not actually change their formats, it works fine.

Netflix Losing, Chrome Gaining

I mentioned last time that I still had not received an invitation to join Google+, the social media rage that has taken the tech world by storm…well sort of.  With 20 million users now, it isn’t close to Facebook yet, but most users seem to like it. Thanks to my favorite Kindle blogger, Andrys Basten, who sent me an invitation to join, I now have a Google+account.

Sadly my schedule has not allowed me to play with it very much, but I will be doing so and will let you know soon what I think. Am looking forward to giving it a spin.

Some interesting stories below, so why don’t I just shut up and let you read… - JRC

Raising Prices Could Cost Netflix 2.5M Subscribers

Price hikes are unpopular, and Netflix's could cost 2.5 million of its more than 25 million subscribers, a survey by The Diffusion Group says. Netflix noted in its earnings report that video streaming has been popular with nearly 75 percent of new subscribers. However, the Netflix price hikes may be accepted because there are few other options.

Google Chrome continues its rapid rise, IE and Firefox fall

If you’re looking for a tech success story, look no further than Google’s Chrome browser. Introduced less than three years ago, it has soared in popularity among techies and civilians worldwide. And its gains are coming at the direct expense of Microsoft and Mozilla.

Windows Live Photo Gallery Gains Raw Format Support

Microsoft announced today that its free (and excellent) photo editing and management solution, Windows Live Photo Gallery, can be updated with a free codec pack to support many popular RAW file formats. These formats are used by high-end (and even consumer-grade) cameras to provide superior, uncompressed files when compared to the more widely used (but compressed) JPEG formatted files.

Why I switched from Dropbox to Windows Live Mesh

I cannot imagine personal computing without a reliable, robust, full-featured sync solution. Over the past year or so, I’ve been using both Dropbox and Windows Live Mesh to keep my work files, pictures, Office settings, bookmarks, and other files in sync across multiple devices. I’ve used each service extensively, on the web, on every PC I own, and on the Mac that shares my desktop with a Windows PC.

Google+: The right service at the right time

Many of the arguments against social networking that apply to Facebook don't carry over to Google+. It looks like Google has another home run on its hands

CNET's favorite Android apps (CNET 100)

Do you own an Android Phone? I do and I love it. If you also have one, here is a list of the top 100 applications for it, as compiled by several CNET editors. Definitely worth a look if you are into Android.

The Best Alternative File Browser for Windows

Windows Explorer is hardly the perfect tool for advanced file management, and Windows users have a ton of alternatives available. The decision is a difficult one, but if we had to recommend one file browser, we'd pick Xplorer2 for Windows.

Todays News, Views and Downright Good Info

Have kept myself quite busy during these hot and sultry Tucson summer days…most of it inside, of course. While I still have not received a Google+ invite, I did get one from the Spotify, the music sharing service that just became available in the US. So far, I like it.

I have the free account. There are paid accounts available for $5 and $10 a month. It is similar to Pandora…except that instead of choosing the genre, with Spotify, you choose the actual songs. It works well and I’ve had fun choosing songs, both jazz, ambient, and classical, to see how good their collection is. Supposedly there are 18 million songs to choses from and I have been able to find most everything I have searched.  Feel free to go to the Spotify Web Site and request an invite

So, don’t let me interrupt you anymore. Just take a look below and see what might be of interest. - JRC

Anonymous releases restricted NATO document

The hacking collective Anonymous released a document on Thursday marked "restricted" from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). They did it to show that they have hacked into the NATO computer system. They also said they will not publicly release most of the files they stole.

Google adds malware warning to search results

A new warning system alerts users to the possibility their system is infected with malware. Google announced today it is instituting a malware warning system on its search results page to alert users to the possibility that their computer is infected. The Internet giant said it took the action after discovering unusual patterns of activity on the Web that it identified as a strain of malware that causes infected computers to send traffic to Google through proxy servers.

Is the internet making journalism better or worse?

For the past several days, The Economist has been hosting a debate between journalism professor Jay Rosen and digital skeptic and author Nicholas Carr, as part of an ongoing series about the future of media. The proposition tabled by the magazine was that the internet is making journalism better rather than worse. It is a thought provoking debate, for sure.

Read All About You

How technology is writing your memoir—and what you can do to gain back some control.

How to download and save streaming videos

How many times have you wanted to download and store an online streaming video so you could play it back at a different time or on a different machine? While the basics of downloading YouTube and other videos have been around for a long time, there are tricks to getting the video you want into a format you can use.

How to Select Multiple Files in Windows Explorer with the Mouse

This is a quick and simple tip for Windows users who feel less comfortable memorizing keyboard shortcuts and prefer using the mouse as much as possible.

10 Google+ Tips for Beginners

You just got your hands on a Google+ invite -- but what next? Check out these 10 tips to get you started on Google's new social network. PS: I am still waiting for mine.

Best Free Portable Applications

Portable freeware is an amazing development and is forcing software vendors to adjust their wasteful ways. They reduce problems with uninstalling software (you just delete them and don't have to worry about failed installs or incomplete uninstalls), they allow for extra flexibility in copying or moving software to different locations on a portable device or on a PC, and they help improve your privacy and security by running from portable devices like flash drives.

Anonymous Hackers get Busted

Last week I told you I was going to try the Windows 7′s no-reformat, nondestructive reinstall. Well, I did it…and it worked just fine. I have a new installation of Windows 7 with all my programs and data in place. The downside was that it took about 9 hours from start to finish…most of it spent waiting for the computer to do its thing.

Starting at the beginning, I got rid of lots of temp files and other useless data on the computer using CCleaner. Then, I did an image backup of the entire system (just in case), using Windows 7 Backup. That took a couple of hours. Then, I uninstalled Service Pack 1, as instructed, which took perhaps 45 minutes. Then came the reinstall of Windows. I don’t recall how long that took…perhaps and hour. Then finally, updating the new install with all the fixes and security patches that have been issued since day 1. That also took quite a while.

There were only the tiniest of glitches, all of which were easily solved. So, if you think nine hours is a long time, the last time I installed a system and all my programs, it took four days. And I kept busy during this reinstall doing other things. So I am a happy camper. Everything is working just fine.

Lots of news today, so without further ado….JRC

FBI arrests more than a dozen in Anonymous hacking investigation

Authorities have arrested more than a dozen people today in the United States in connection with hacking attacks by the Anonymous group of online activists, sources said. The arrests follow raids earlier in the day on homes in New York, California, New Jersey, and Florida. Fourteen arrests were listed in one indictment, including arrests out of San Francisco, and two other separate arrests were made in New Jersey and Florida, following raids related to between 30 to 40 search warrants.

DoD: 24,000 files swiped in March from military contractor systems

Department of Defense Deputy Secretary William Lynn said that 24,000 files were taken in March from military contractor systems. That data leakage is increasingly common in the military complex. The good news? The DoD has a plan to fix its defenses.

Mac OS X Lion goes on sale Wednesday

Code-named "Lion," some of the most important features include: support for full-screen applications, more multitouch gestures, system resume, auto save for app data, AirDrop file transfer, and a feature called "Launchpad" that mimics the icon-based app launcher in iOS.

What was Hollywood's role in Netflix price hike?

Some of those searching for clues about why Netflix unexpectedly raised prices last week appear to be convinced that the trail leads to Hollywood, the home of the top six film studios. After Netflix announced Tuesday that prices would rise by 60 percent, a popular theory was that CEO Reed Hastings sought to build up his war chest. Acquisition costs for streaming content are soaring.

Hands on with Spotify

Using Spotify is pretty straightforward in many ways. Once you're signed up and have downloaded the desktop app, Spotify will pull music into itself from the rest of your computer, including from your iTunes folder. If you connect your account to Facebook, Spotify creates a public profile for you that also automatically publishes all of your playlists that it can find.

Windows 8 to spawn new breed of low-cost laptops

The pairing of Microsoft's upcoming Windows 8 with processors from companies like Qualcomm and Nvidia is expected to spawn a new kind of low-cost laptop, according to IHS-iSuppli, possibly threatening Intel's overwhelming dominance in laptops.

A Useful Key on the Windows Keyboard That You May Have Overlooked

It is typically found on the right side of the keyboard between the right Ctrl key and Windows key or between the right Ctrl and Alt keys. It goes by the name of “application key” or sometimes “menu key” but I suspect that many PC users have paid it little attention.

7 free Windows tune-up tools and tips

You don't need to spend money to keep a Windows computer running in top form. Here's how to fix, clean and maintain Windows using programs you can download now for free.

Netflix Raises Prices 60%–Customers Burn

The biggest story so far this week is Netflix’s notification to users that they are raising their fees…big time. The backlash on their Web site and on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook is a major P.R. disaster for the company. Basically, Netflix is putting together separate tiers of service…one for streaming and one for DVD rental. My own costs will be going from $9.95 to $15.95. That is a big jump. I plan to discontinue the DVD service and just use streaming for now (Price is $7.99). And from what I read, that is what Netflix really wants to happen. And according to other sources, Netflix is willing to take the heat and stick to its guns. We shall see.

If your computers use Windows 7, you most definitely want to read the 4th story here: Its all about how to do a clean reinstall Windows without wiping out your hard drive. Everything stays in place, except that you now have a fresh version of Windows. Pretty cool. I will be doing that myself this weekend and will let you know how it goes.

The other big story is that Spotify, the music on-line service that took Europe by storm is now here in the US. Will be giving that a try also when I get my invite. But, for this point on, you have to read these and the other stories without my help. Enjoy. - JRC

Netflix price hike creates social media firestorm

It seems that people are unhappy with Netflix and its decision to change the pricing plans and effectively raise the price of the DVD rental plan by 60%. Very, very, very unhappy.

Netflix's pricing backlash: Follow the money, churn rates

Netflix swapped out its pricing plans, angered customers and effectively separated its streaming movie and DVD rental businesses. Why? Netflix is betting that it has pricing power since it will have to pay higher content costs going forward.

Spotify Hits the U.S. Market: Is It Worth the Hype?

The much-hyped online music service Spotify has come to the U.S. after much success in Europe. Started as a way to create a "legal alternative to music piracy," Spotify is now the second-largest source of revenue from digital music for labels in Europe. But it's unlikely that Apple is shaking in its boots about the competition with iTunes. Spotify has a database of 15 million songs and a 3-tiered plan runs from free to $9.99.

Win7′s no-reformat, nondestructive reinstall

Microsoft won’t tell you this, but you can do a fast, nondestructive, in-place, total reinstall of Windows 7 without damaging your user accounts, data, installed programs, or system drivers. That means you may never have to do a full, from-scratch reinstall again, even when your system is misbehaving so badly that a full reformat-and-reinstall seems the only answer!

Google Chromebook Lacks Luster and Purpose

The Chromebook is lightweight and inexpensive, and it offers a full-featured Web browsing experience. But its low-end hardware, lack of versatility, and primitive support for commonplace computing tasks such as printing, file management, networking, and media playback make it a poor choice for everyday use, particularly in a business setting. Read on for the details.

Windows 8 will run on all Windows 7 PCs (and Vista PCs too)

Worried that you’ll have to buy a new PC in order to be able to run Windows 8? Don’t! Microsoft has said that the Windows 8 system requirements will be the same, or perhaps even lower, than those of Windows 7.

Microsoft offers keyboard with 128-bit encryption

Microsoft has unveiled the new Wireless Desktop 2000, a keyboard and mouse combo for $40. You can buy it now from Microsoft.com, though you should note that it requires either Windows XP (excluding Windows XP 64-bit), Windows Vista, or Windows 7. The Wireless Desktop 2000 includes Microsoft's first keyboard that features Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 128-bit encryption - the same technology trusted by the US government to secure their wireless connections and which industry leaders consider to be one of the most secure encryption standards.

The Best Free Web Apps of 2011

Not only are they free, you can run these apps on any computer over the Web—no installation needed. Maybe it's time to do your work in the cloud.

Hey Everybody…It’s Patch Tuesday!!

It’s the 2nd Tuesday of the month (if you didn’t know that already). That means Microsoft will be patching your Windows computer sometime in the next 24-36 hours…assuming you have your computer set for automatic updates. I sure do…and so should you. I’ve seen worse patch Tuesdays that this one, so maybe Microsoft is close to getting it right. 

If you are a MAC user, you should be notified very shortly that an update to your computer’s OS is available (code-named “Lion”). I believe the update cost is $30.

Also wanted to let you know that I have stopped using Google’s Chrome browser. I’ve noticed it is a sieve for spyware. I stopped using it a while ago, but tried it again a couple of days ago just to test it one more time. I ran a spyware catcher program and it found 27 pieces of spyware on my system…25 of them came through Chrome. Conversely, I’ve also found that using the “Do Not Track” feature of Firefox has stopped almost all spyware that tries to come through. So I am sticking strictly to Firefox as my browser-of-choice.

Lots of good stories today including some new free games from Microsoft.  Hopefully you will find something useful. - JRC

Microsoft Patch Tuesday To Fix 22 Vulnerabilities

Software giant Microsoft is preparing to release four security updates today for patching 22 vulnerabilities affecting its Windows and Visio 2003 platforms. Out of the four security updates, only one is rated critical, the highest severity rating that Microsoft has to offer, while the other three have been marked as ‘important’. The critical rated update fixes flaws in Windows 7 and Windows Vista only.

Anonymous, LulzSec spawn 'one of worst' quarters

Cyberattacks from Anonymous and LulzSec and breaches against everyone from Sony to Lockheed Martin turned the second quarter into "one of the worst on record," according to a new report from Panda Security. Released this week, Panda's second-quarter report (PDF) examined the security landscape from April to June and highlighted a string of alarming incidents.

Stay safe online: 5 secrets every PC (and Mac) owner should know

Many people think that security begins and ends with antivirus software. I disagree. Should you run antivirus software? As I've said before, if you don't know the answer to that question, then the answer is yes.

4 Amazing Technology Waves That Will Change Your Life

Four coming waves of innovation mean technology will be used to truly digitize our social experience, make us part of the security solution and not just victims, allow us to create and share more widely and often, and have the power we need where we need it to make this all work. In 10 years, we'll look back at now and wonder how we got by.

Iriver and Google Partner on New E-reader

Not satisfied to compete with Facebook alone, Google has now set its sights on Amazon's digital empire. On July 17, Google and iriver will debut an e-book reader to compete with the Kindle, the Nook and other emerging devices. Dubbed the iriver Story HD e-reader, the new device Relevant Products/Services is the first integrated with the open Google eBooks platform.

Big Storage: 5 Great 1TB and Larger Hard Drives

If you have a lifetime of digital pics, videos, and documents, a spacious external hard drive is a must. With hard drive capacities growing and prices dropping, it's time for you to switch to a 1TB or larger hard drive.

The history of digital photography

Believe it or not, non-chemical cameras have only existed for 30 years — and true digital cameras that store files as JPEGs and MPEGs have been around for just 20 years.

Download 6 Free Windows 7 Games

Many games have the same theme, attack and destroy, fight aliens, save the universe or the human race. Well that’s a little long winded but they’re games after all. You can tell your wife, girl friend, or significant other that you are a hero for spending Saturday afternoon saving the world.

Video Chatting via Skype on Facebook

Last week, Facebook’s CEO  and founder Mark Zuckerberg, told us all to expect a huge announcement that would rock out world. Because of Facebook’s special relationship with Microsoft, many experts predicted video conferencing via Skype would come to Facebook….and they were right!

At nearly the same time, Microsoft it was revealed that Microsoft had applied in 2009, way before their acquisition of Skype, for a patent on technology that could be used to spy on Skype calls without the user’s knowledge. The patent is still pending. What an odd coincidence. 

There is lots of interesting information and tips here, so read on and be informed. –JRC-

Facebook unveils video chatting, thanks to Skype

Facebook and Skype have inked a deal that will bring video chatting to the world's largest social network. Video calling has been built into Facebook's chat platform. Users need only to click the video call button at the top of their chat window in order to start communicating over video--once the call recipient accepts the video request. According to Facebook, video chatting is just "two clicks away" on the service.

Microsoft Wants to Patent High-Tech Snoop Software

A recently surfaced Microsoft patent focuses on technology that could be used to spy on VoIP users' conversations without the detection of participants. Redmond originally applied for the patent in 2009, well before its move to buy up VoIP provider Skype. This technology may have been developed with an eye to selling it to government agencies.

Top ISPs agree to become copyright cops

Some of the top ISPs, including Comcast, Cablevision, Verizon, and Time Warner Cable, have officially agreed to step up efforts to protect the rights of copyright owners. This agreement hands the music and film sectors a big new stick with which to fight online illegal downloading of copyrighted works.

Don’t pay for software you don’t need — Part 3

In the first two installments of this series, I stepped you through a boatload of software that you don’t need if you have Windows 7. Many of you wrote to me in disbelief — some of you disagreed in very strong terms. But from what I’ve seen, most of the add-on software that people buy for Windows is just a waste of money. (Note: this article includes a summary of the first two articles).

What's New in the World of Digital Cameras?

New features have arrived, making today's digital cameras easier than ever thanks to innovative technologies that allow you to do more with your digital camera than you probably ever imagined. Now, even affordable digital cameras feature lenses that work well in low light and produce images that rival those taken by high-end digital SLRs.

Reduce, reuse, recycle -- just not your password

In the real world, choosing weak passwords is much less dangerous than reusing the same password at multiple sites. In a recent paper, researchers from Florida State University, Cisco, and security firm Redjack found that passwords not guessed by cracking dictionaries can survive brute-force attempts quite well.

Amazon offers unlimited Cloud music storage

Amazon today announced a number of enhancements to its Amazon Cloud Drive and Cloud Player, including an unlimited music storage option and a Cloud Player for iPad. For a limited time, Amazon customers who purchase a $20 annual Cloud Drive storage plan will receive unlimited storage space for their MP3 and AAC (.m4a) music files.

PDF to Word Converter Is Free For 2 Days Only

For the next couple of days only, AnyBizSoft is giving away copies of its Windows program to convert PDF files to Word documents. Just head to http://www.anypdftools.com/giveaway-pdf-to-word.html to download the software. Then enter your name and email address in the boxes at the top of the screen. You'll be sent a free licence code by return.

Google+…the New Social Media You Can’t Have…Yet

After a season of rumors, Google has finally come up with their answer to the extremely popular Facebook. Called “Google+,” it is supposedly a new vehicle for social interactions among friends, acquaintances, and relatives. I say supposedly because not many people have seen it. Unless you received a Google invite, you cannot play with it. It is in beta testing and Google is being cautious with the service to avoid a firestorm of negative opinion like they caused with the full release of “Buzz” a year ago.

Still, it is still important enough to bring to your attention for future reference when they release it to the general public. From what I have heard from those lucky few who have it, Google+ could be something special for a lot of folks. So read the stories I have gathered here and make up your own mind.

If social media is not your cup of tea, there are a few other stories here that might be of interest. So read on…JRC  

Google resets social agenda with Google+

Google+ is designed around "Circles" that allow users to group people within their social sphere into different categories. Google says that the people you tend to meet up with on Saturday nights, for example, can be grouped into their own category, while parents can be placed into another. You can then decide to share only certain information with different Circles.

6 Things Google+ Can Do That Facebook Can't

Google's new social network Google+ is going head-to-head with the biggest social network of them all, Facebook. But for Google's new platform to succeed in gaining social marketshare, it has to also entice users by letting them do new things, too, stuff they can't do in Facebook.

Google+ Doesn't Quite Add Up to a Social Powerhouse

With Google+, the search giant takes another stab at social networking, and the result is decidedly more Facebook-like than last year's Google Buzz. Google+ has a few standout features, such as Circles, Sparks and Hangouts. Aside from Circles, though, few of Google+'s unique attributes seem compelling enough to drive a mass migration of users toward yet another social networking site.

Gmail Goes Under the Knife, Other G Products Next in Line

Google's various online services are going through changes lately, including its Gmail system. Users can preview a new interface design, and changes are also in store for other personalized Google products like Calendar. Meanwhile, Google's search interface has already received a facelift, though not all agree it's for the better.

Cellphone, cancer link dismissed in new study

The evidence is "increasingly against" linking cellphones to cancer, the experts concluded after examining research from around the globe. Brain tumors have not increased in step with cellphone use, and animal experiments have come up empty. There may not even be a biological mechanism that creates cancer from radio frequency fields.

How to live with malware infections

Get used to it: Malware can't be completely blocked or eliminated. But you can manage your PCs, mobile devices, and networks to function despite being infected

Fox News reports Twitter hack to Secret Service

Fox News has alerted the U.S. Secret Service that the cable news show's Twitter feed was used today to publish false reports that President Obama had been killed.

6 Free Software Programs To Manage Your Files

Are you annoyed at the disordered files of your computer? Are you driven mad by searching files without any results? Do you feel like you are at your breaking point when your files are missing? Can you bear that your secret files may be seen by others?

Governor Moonbeams at it Again

You would think that Californians would have learned their lesson after having Jerry Brown as their governor in the 70’s and 80’s. Nope. They elected him again. And now, he is trying to do and end run around federal tax law by forcing sales tax on Amazon…even though Amazon has no physical presence in his state. All he has done is put several small California businesses on the verge of bankruptcy.

He claims that California businesses who advertise their wares on Amazon constitute a presence on the part of Amazon in his state…therefore taxable on everything sold in their state. As a result, Amazon was forced to terminate all their California affiliates. Real smart move, Jerry. You were an idiot in the 1970’s and you are still an idiot today. This was strictly a public relations move to make him look good…and many small business owners are made to suffer. It is not the first time Amazon has had to terminate affiliates because of state government squeeze plays…so Moonbeams knew this was going to happen.

But, I do have some good news and information to pass along, so read on…JRC

Amazon to shut down California affiliates over new sales tax law

California's new law, signed by Governor Jerry Brown on Wednesday, requires online retailers to collect sales tax even if they have no physical presence in the state. How does that work when federal law states they have to have a brick-and-mortar store to qualify? Like the many other states before it, California counts Amazon affiliates who reside in California as a "physical presence."

Google+ Project: It’s Social, It’s Bold, It’s Fun — Now For The Hard Part

What is Google+? It’s the super top-secret social project that Google has been working on for the past year. You know, the one being led by General Patton (Vic Gundotra) and General MacArthur (Bradley Horowitz). Yes, the one Google has tried to downplay as much as humanly possible — even as we got leak after leak after leak of what they were working on. Yes, the one they weren’t going to make a big deal about with pomp and circumstance. It’s real. And it’s here.

Google Calendar Gets Prettier

I woke up this morning to catch up on email and get started on the day, and discovered that Google Calendar had gotten a nice-looking facelift with a flatter UI, a cleaner layout, and some other niceties. Google reports that the changes are just cosmetic, so the underlying Calendar functionality hasn't changed.

Reviewed: Office 365

Office 365 gives professionals and small businesses a subscription service that lets them work from anywhere using familiar-feeling Web-enabled applications. Combined with hosted versions of Exchange, SharePoint, and Lync, Office 365 is designed to enable users to share, collaborate, and communicate in the cloud. In our testing during the beta, we found that the tools worked well across the board (with some hiccups), and expect that many people who use Office on desktop Macs and PCs will appreciate the familiar look and feel, which should help them get up and running quickly.

How to Destroy Your Data

We've shown you how to hide your data, as well as ways to encrypt it. But what about data that you're done with —those files and folders that you don't want anyone to ever, ever see? You have to destroy them. And if you think that's as simple as dragging items to the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop, think again.

Don't blame users for dumb passwords

The Sony breach, among others, revealed the unsurprising fact that users choose weak passwords. So why do providers allow them?

Best Free Android Apps

Do you have an Android-based phone? Then, this may be of interest to you. Android apps (short for applications) are mobile software designed for running on the Android operating system, which is one of the most popular platforms used in cellphones, tablets and other mobile devices.

Free Nitro PDF Reader Speeds Up, Works in Browsers

It's leaner, it's meaner, it's Nitro PDF Reader. Available in 32-bit and 64-bit editions, new version 2 of the PDF viewer/creator/editor whose interface mimics Microsoft Office's to a great extent (2007 and now 2010--a good thing in my book), is now noticeably faster both opening and saving PDFs. This is no mean feat, as it was very fast before. Its new browser integration is nice as well.

Office 2010 Service Pack is Here

Office 2010 Service Pack 1 is Now Available

Microsoft today released the first service pack for Office 2010, Service Pack 1 (SP1), coincidentally alongside the launch of Office 365. In addition to aggregating previous fixes, this service pack includes a number of small changes and fixes.

Supreme Court nixes violent video game law

In a ringing endorsement of free speech and new technology, the U.S. Supreme Court this morning struck down a California law that restricts the sale or rental of violent video games to minors. The Supreme Court's ruling (7-2) unambiguously reaffirms that video games, which have become increasingly complex and in some cases more expensive to produce than movies, also qualify for full First Amendment protection.

Mozilla retires Firefox 4 from security support

Unnoticed in the Tuesday release of Firefox 5 was Mozilla's decision to retire Firefox 4, the browser it shipped just three months ago. As part of Tuesday's Firefox 5 release, Mozilla spelled out vulnerabilities it had patched in that edition and in 2010's Firefox 3.6, but it made no mention of any bugs fixed in Firefox 4. That's because Firefox 4 has reached what Mozilla calls EOL, for "end of life," for vulnerability patches. The bottom line for all of us...get Firefox 5!

10 must-have Firefox extensions

Make Firefox the browser you want it to be, with extensions that offer faster, safer, more efficient browsing

Firefox 5 review: Tab perfection

The Firefox developers have been busy working on a couple of new features that are real game-changers for power users. Read on as Jack Wallen explains why he is on the cusp of jumping ship from Chrome to Firefox.

How the Lytro No-Focus Light Field Camera Changes Photography

Fundamentally, a Lytro camera — a light field camera — does away with the single most important and limiting factor of conventional photography: the lens. Instead of focusing, distorting, and cajoling light onto a 2D digital or film plane, light field cameras capture everything that it sees. With conventional lenses, a specific focal point must be chosen — with Lytro, you simply capture every last grain of light data, and then use software to define a focal point.

10 Hidden Features in Facebook

Facebook is the category-killing social network, makes up a quarter of the earth's Web traffic, and can claim nearly three-quarters of a billion users. But many of them don't dig beneath the skin of what the social network can do. There's a ton of hidden Facebook functionality, most of which the average user will never find.

Need a Really Good Read? Byliner Has 30,000 Suggestions

Byliner wants to give you, the intelligent reader interested in magazine-quality articles, a few good reads. This startup is already a publisher of high quality, long-form journalism, and Tuesday, it is launching its community-focused website to find readers something good to peruse.

Hot News and Tips from the Hottest Place on the Planet

Please remind me why I moved to Tucson? It’s hot, hot, hot! Yesterday hit 110…maybe only 106 today.  And no end in site. Actually I love this city for 8 out of 12 months a year. Unfortunately we are in that 4 month period now. With the UofA shutdown till September, I don’t have much to do except look for interesting articles for my blog. I hope I have succeeded today. There are some really good things here. (Actually, I have lots to do this time of year, all inside of course).

If you do nothing else, check out the new How-To Tips now on C-Net Web site. Learn some neat tricks on how to make your software and hardware perform even better. And along the same venue, be sure and get a free copy of Ashampoo Win Optimizer (see last story).

Anyway, enjoy today’s news and tips. I am sure there is something here for everybody. Until next time…JRC

International Team Shuts Down PC Scareware Network

The computers and bank accounts of supposedly "safe" cybercriminals have been seized by an international law-enforcement team. The FBI, the U.S. Department of Justice, and law-enforcement partners in Europe said the cybercriminals were responsible for PC scareware attacks worldwide. Symantec said crooks are preying on social networks.

How To-Tips for your phone, tablet, computer, home theater and the Web

Introducing CNET How To. We just upped our game considerably. Launching with more than 700 hacks, tips, and tricks, CNET's new How To section is the Web's premier destination for learning how to tweak your tech to make life more fun. (Bookmark this site as it is extremely useful)

How to Use Some New Google Search Features

Google recently announced some intriguing new search features that it is rolling out. They are still in the process of being implemented and may not yet be available in your area but here is a description of two of the new technologies

Lytro's New Camera: Shoot First, Focus Later

Poor focus often ruins otherwise great snapshots, but a new kind of camera from a startup called Lytro could change that. Its light field camera is able to take photographs, save them as data, then allow the user to change the image's focus long after the photo was taken. The same technology also allows the production of sharp photos in low-light conditions without a flash, Lytro says.

Trojans, viruses, worms: How does malware get on PCs and Macs?

What’s the best way to deal with malicious software on PCs and Macs? You can’t answer that question—you can’t even start talking about it—until you know how malware gets installed in the first place. And there’s where the disconnect begins.

When WiFi doesn't work: a guide to home networking alternatives

If you live an old home or building, you already know the limits of WiFi. Despite the improved range of 802.11n coupled with improved throughput at greater distances‚ WiFi doesn't work magic. Buildings with brick or stucco-over-chicken-wire walls resist the charms of wireless networks, as do houses with thick wooden beams, cement elements, or with rooms spread out over many levels or floors. Here are some options.

RPV: Win7′s least-known data-protection system

You deleted a file yesterday; now you really need it back. Your Windows recycle bin is empty — what now? Your next-best option is the Restore Previous Versions tool — a truly great, automatic data-protection feature buried in Win7.

Ashampoo WinOptimizer 2010 Advanced - Free

With the reliability of 11 years of experience, Ashampoo's WinOptimizer series makes Windows maintenance fast and easy - and it works for Windows XP, Vista (32/64bit) just as well as it does for the new Windows 7 (32/64bit). The One-click Optimizer does what it says and you can run it automatically so that you don't need to think about it at all. It keeps your Windows computer running as fast and smoothly as on the first day you bought it.

Firefox 5…It’s Here…Now!

I just got used to Firefox 4…and now Version 5 is here.  What the heck? Well, Mozilla did promise faster release times for new versions of their great browser…and they apparently were not kidding.  From what I hear, we can look forward to Version 6 at the end of summer. WOW!

And if you are a Verizon customer, check out our story on their upcoming changes to their data plans.  Open your wallets, guys, ‘cause it ain’t going to be cheap. If you have a contract with them now, like I do, you are safe…until you renew.

Finally, I’ve added a couple of stories about BitTorrent. If you still don’t know what it is, these two articles will help you figure it out.  Lot’s of interesting stories here…so, until next time…enjoy! - JRC

Firefox 5.0 is live!

Three months following the release of Firefox 4.0, Mozilla has released the next incarnation of the browser in line with its new rapid development cycle. It is important to note that Mozilla sees this release as a minor update for those already running Firefox 4.0.

RIP unlimited data: Tiered data plans coming to Verizon July 7th

The unlimited data plan continues its death march as Verizon prepares to introduce a set of tiered data plans. Heavy data users should run for the hills now. The greed of wireless phone providers knows no bounds.

Android is a malware cesspool -- and users don't care

Android smartphones (and tablets) are also among the least secure ones available, thanks mainly to the Android Market being full of Trojan horses and other malware masquerading as legitimate apps. Just this week, Google was revealed to have removed another dozen or so of such malware apps, months after they entered the uncurated Android Market.

Whatever you do, don't buy a Chromebook

Simply put, I don't believe Chrome OS will ever get as good as a world of real apps that tap into the Internet but don't depend on it. The Web apps that run on Chromebooks' Chrome OS -- and they're the only apps that can -- are still primitive and not that capable. Google itself still doesn't have its Google Apps -- the key apps it expects every Chrome OS user to rely on -- yet working in offline mode. That was promised for March, and still it's MIA. Remember, this is Google: a company that has no trouble shipping apps before they're ready.

A beginner's guide to BitTorrent

Despite the fact that BitTorrent has been around for a good 6 years now, the lightning fast file sharing protocol hasn't completely taken off in the mainstream. Since we post a decent amount about BitTorrent around here, we figured it was just time we put out a beginner's guide to BitTorrent. This is the guide you can send to your friend next time he gets that glassy look in his eyes when you mention BitTorrent and how quick and easy it makes downloading albums educational, public domain videos and other large files.

Five Best BitTorrent Applications

We're big fans of BitTorrent. It's the fastest way to download files quickly without lining up for an HTTP download or opening an FTP client, and it's a great way to host large files without having to provide all of the bandwidth on your own. Here's a look at five of the most popular BitTorrent applications.

How to turn Wallpapers into Windows 7 Themes

With so many wallpapers appearing on many different subjects, users will find that they would like to place the wallpapers on the desktop, but they would also like to change the wallpaper periodically. A theme format can do that and here is a step by step approach to accomplishing that.

Some Top Desktop Managers to Look At

Managing your desktop can be an adventure that you may prefer to avoid in part because no matter what you do, your desktop will go back to the same condition that it was in…messy. But some of the Desktop Managers here can help you avoid that problem.

Get Ghostery for your Browser - Thank Me Later

Ever heard of a browser add-on called “Ghostery”? I hadn’t heard of it either until Steve Gibson, one of the Internet’s foremost security experts talk about it on his podcast. Ghostery allow you to see and block all the tracking software that Web sites put on your computer. It works on all the major browsers…and it may be the most important add-on I’ve recommended for you in a long time.

Finally you are able to see (in a small window) what trackers are being added to your computer by which Web Site. For instance, MSNBC.com puts six pieces of spyware on your computer when you visit the site…Weather Underground puts on nine…IMDB puts on three. Now, with Ghostery, none of them go on my computer. To be truthful, Firefox’s new feature, “Do Not Track,” has stopped most of them.

But, Google’s Chrome browser does not have that feature…so I stopped using it some time ago. Now, I can use it safely again with Ghostery.  You need this one, no matter which browser(s) you use. And the really good news…IT’S FREE!!

Have a great weekend, everybody. - JRC

Scammers turning to phone calls to gain PC access

Forget e-mail. Criminals are making old-fashioned phone calls and offering free security scans in order to gain access to people's computers, according to Microsoft. To run the con, criminals pretend to be PC security experts from legitimate companies. They call their intended victims, warning of a risky security threat and offering to run a free security checkup. If the victims take the bait, the scammers gain access to their PCs and often capture passwords or financial information.

Twitter gaffe sinks Congressman Weiner

The congressman initially claimed that his Twitter account was hacked, but after more images and reports of Weiner engaging in explicit chats with women emerged, the congressman admitted during a press conference last week that he did, in fact, mistakenly tweet the photo.

RPV: Win7′s least-known data-protection system

You deleted a file yesterday; now you really need it back. Your Windows recycle bin is empty — what now? Your next-best option is the Restore Previous Versions tool — a truly great, automatic data-protection feature buried in Win7.

100 Essential Tips for Microsoft Office 2010

We've shaken down the programs and pinpointed 100 tips and tricks to help put you back in command.These tips cover not only the basics, like deleting that infuriating line that appears when you type one too many hyphens in Word, to more advanced tricks, such as connecting your email to social websites and services.

Ghostery - Free for your Browser

Ghostery sees the "invisible" web, detecting trackers, web bugs, pixels, and beacons placed on web pages by Facebook, Google Analytics, and over 400 other ad networks, behavioral data providers, web publishers - all companies interested in your activity. After showing you who operates behind the scenes, Ghostery also gives you the opportunity to learn more about each company it identifies, including links to their privacy policy and opt-out options. Then Ghostery allows you to block scripts from companies that you don't trust, delete local shared objects, and even block images and iframes.

Summer Heat Brings Boring Tech News

I’ve always noticed that when things get hot outside, interesting news from the tech world slows down. Well, its 106 here in Tucson with no end in site, so it stands to reason that it is a slow news day…and it is. I have some interesting tidbits here but nothing that will knock you socks off.

Who knows, though. You may find something of use. I sure hope so. I had to work hard just to get this much. - JRC

Microsoft Hints at Windows 8 Release Date

And as I’ve been saying all along, the past (i.e. Windows 7 and its schedule) is a great indicator of what will happen this time.

Who are we kidding? Of course it’s Netflix vs. cable

Cable and Netflix are competing for the same eyeballs, the same money and the same TV real estate, and the fight is getting tougher by the day.

Re-examining Dropbox and its alternatives

Recent revelations about privacy concerns with Dropbox have led many people to think about changing my practices regarding online file-storage and -synchronization providers. If you use Dropbox or some other cloud storage and sync program, let me explain what you do — and don’t — need to be concerned about. And what you can do to sleep better at night.

Top 10 inkjet all-in-one printers

Combining color printing with scan, copy, and sometimes fax, models start at around $100

Compare Folders - Free Utility

Compare Folders allows the user to compare the contents of two folders against each other. This can be done with or without extensions.

No Hot News Today, But Good Info and Tips

5 Facebook privacy settings to check now

Facebook is the most popular place for connecting with friends and family online. You share photos, opinions and personal details from your daily life. You don't want this data to fall into the wrong hands. But if you don't set your privacy settings correctly, that's exactly what will happen.

8 Twitter Facts You May Not Know

Twitter is an enigma. It's a relatively simple publishing service built initially on the SMS backbone that has grown into something of a world-wide phenomenon. Over 300 million people around the world use it, and many millions of them live their lives out loud on the service. I'm a dedicated member and somewhat obsessive Tweeter. As such, I thought I knew and understood the service.

How a Computer Restarts

I really didn't know the exact process behind my system start-up. All I do know is that I get impatient waiting for it to happen. Now, however, I have a better idea of exactly what's going on when I hit the power-on button. The first thing I learned? My computer was never really truly off in the first place.

Your Digital Debris Is Haunting You

Poor Representative Anthony Weiner. He just learned a very tough lesson: Your online activities remain truly your own for only as long as they are still in your head and not in a digital form. What you do online counts. What you say in private matters, what you shared with others can be found. Every single action we take online leaves a trail of debris that could eventually pile up and then topple over on top of us.

This DTP Program for Windows Is Free

For those times when layout and presentation is more important than the text, you need a desktop publishing program (DTP) rather than a word processor. For example, when producing business cards, advertising flyers, brochures, letterheads and so on. All of which are well within the remit of a great Windows DTP suite called Spring Publisher.

It’s Friday,Thank God! No More Bad News Till Monday

Thank God for the weekend. I get tired of writing bad news sometimes.  I may not even look at any tech news till next week.

I keep forgetting to mention my experiences with Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper. I wrote about it a week ago and promised to tell you how it works. I ran it over the weekend on all three of my computer systems, including external drives. It found no rootkits, which is what I worried about the most. And two computers had no problems at all. But one computer’s external hard drive had some bad guys on it…two in fact. They were quickly crushed into oblivion. Thankfully, they were part of some software that I never had used, but had backed up.

I heartily recommend everyone download this great new software from Microsoft. After downloading, it will automatically create a bootable CD or USB thumb drive. To run it, you just tell your computer to boot from it, rather than your hard drive.  It will independently scan your computers and all attached drives so that if you have malware or rootkits, they cannot hide and will be detected and eliminated. A marvelous idea from Microsoft. It can take a few hours to scan, so perhaps run it overnight.

Here’s hoping you have a great weekend. - JRC

Attacks on Sony, others show it's open hacking season

There seems to be a groundswell of hacking activity recently. From the Epsilon breach that touched dozens of major U.S. companies and their millions of customers, and RSA replacing its customers' SecurID tokens after attacks on several defense contractors to Sony sites getting pummeled by hackers on a regular basis--all within the last few months. What's going on?

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

This months’ batch of security patches from Microsoft will be a huge one: 16 bulletins covering a wide range of security holes in the Windows operating system. Nine of the 16 bulletins are rated “critical” because of the risk of remote code execution attack. So make sure your system is set up to get these important updates.

What you need to know now about Windows 8

One thing’s for sure: Windows 8, as we know it now, represents a huge departure for Microsoft — a rethinking of the way people interact with their machines. Some of it’s familiar; some of it’s scary. A whole lot of it is very new. Like it or not, Win8 will likely change the way we work through our PCs.

Google Releases Chrome 12, Adds Security and 3D

Google has released an update for its Chrome browser, bringing security and 3D improvements. As with previous updates to Chrome, the biggest boasts of version 12 relate to security. The Safe Browsing behind-the-scenes protection has been extended to warn users against downloading dangerous files, although right now this only applies to Windows .exe files. Mac and Linux users will have to wait a little longer, which might be galling for Mac users hit by the recent MacDefender drive-by download attack.

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.

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.