Amazon Changes the Game for Tablets

As I mentioned last time, Wednesday was all about the new products from Amazon. And believe me, the products they introduced are game changers…especially their new “Fire” Tablet. Interestingly they brought their new tablet in at an even lower price than was predicted…$199. Now that is a game changer! As one writer predicted, there is the Apple iPad at $449 and the Amazon Fire at $199. All tablets priced in between are dead. Not sure I agree with that, but it could very possibly be the case.

But the Fire was not all they introduced. They showed three new Kindles, with prices now starting at $79. This is the first e-reader priced below the $100 mark. But not only that, they will be offering a touch screen Kindle for $99. As a long-time Kindle user, trust me when I say Kindles are the best e-readers on the market today…and now they better and more affordable. Bravo Amazon.

There are a ton of new features in both the Kindle and the Fire. And for that reason, our first story is actually a roundup of several stories and videos about the new Amazon products. Make sure you read about the new Web browser included with the Fire…it is a mind blower.

So without further ado, let’s get to it. – JRC

Kindle Fire leads Amazon onslaught (roundup)

Here is a roundup of several stories about what Amazon released on the world yesterday. It included the new Fire 7" tablet and three new Kindle e-readers, starting at $79.

BlackBerry PlayBooks get $200 price cut in wake of Kindle Fire

The BlackBerry PlayBook price cuts have arrived in the US, without any messing around with gift cards: the tablets now start at $299.99 for 16GB at Best Buy, a $200 discount. The question is whether anyone will care, with the imminent arrival of the new Kindle Fire.

Google Chrome Web Browser to get a makeover

Chrome 14 is great, but the forthcoming Chrome 15 looks like it will be even better. This release, which is now in beta, boasts three new tab pages. These will make it easier to get to your Chrome apps, most visited sites, and bookmarks.

Cable providers aim to offer channels ‘a la carte’

Finally: Cable providers have reversed their position on 'a la carte' channel offerings, and hope to eventually allow customers to pick and choose which channels they want to pay for, and which ones they don't.

Facebook Users Beware: Facebook's New Feature Could Embarrass You

If you didn't watch Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook announcements last week - and of course the vast majority of Facebook users did not - you may be in for a surprise. Aside from the dramatically redesigned Facebook Timeline profile pages, which roll out in the coming weeks (and which I've grown to love), Facebook's new system to auto-share what you do around the web may catch many Facebook addicts off guard. In fact, even those people who know exactly how this new feature works may need to be on guard against sharing some seriously embarrassing updates.

Using Windows 7′s XP Mode — step by step

Looking for a sure-fire way to keep your oldest Windows applications alive while living in a Windows 7 world? You’ll find it with Win7′s XP Mode, a free and fully functional version of XP Professional SP3 that runs entirely inside Windows 7. And even if you don’t have ancient apps to support, you gotta admit: keeping XP around for those times you want to indulge in a bit of nostalgia is pretty cool.

The 25 Best Android Apps

Smartphone owners running Google's OS need more than just a top ten list to stock their devices with the best programs for entertainment, productivity, reference, and more.

Email This!

Use this Firefox add-on to send Web links via email when you're viewing a Web page.

And the Hits Just Keep on Coming!

Grab your ankles boys and girls! There are lots of new things about to flood the market. Today, Firefox released Version 7…and it is built for speed! I have already upgraded and I believe it is faster.

Tomorrow, Amazon holds its big press conference…more than likely to announce its newest product, the Amazon Tablet. The word is that it will be called “Fire” and will retail for $250…far less than Apple’s iPad. I’ve included two stories here to bring you up to speed. On Thursday, I will bring you the official story.

And finally, next Tuesday, October 4, Apple will make another big announcement…almost certainly the newest iPhone. I’ve also included other interesting stories to keep you up to date, so have a good time. – JRC 

Red alert: HTTPS has been hacked

Only a handful of exploits per decade reveal a vulnerability that is truly significant. Thai Duong and Juliano Rizzo's BEAST (Browser Exploit Against SSL/TLS) attack will rank among them because it compromises the SSL and TLS browser connections hundreds of millions of people rely on every day.

Is Amazon Unveiling Kindle Tablet Wednesday?

Invitations to the event were sent out Friday, simply asking the recipient to "please join us for an Amazon.com press conference." Rumors of the tablet have been flying for several months, but the key competitive angle may be the pricing. The tablet is expected to retail for about $250, compared with a starting price of $499 for Apple's iPad

Kindle Tablet is coming, what it means to consumers

The tech world is understandably buzzing about how this tablet from Amazon will compete with the top selling iPad, but the reality is Amazon doesn’t care about competing with any tablet on the market.

Seven Good Reasons to Upgrade to Firefox 7

There are plenty of reasons to make the switch to this newest version, which is now available as a free download. Many of them, in fact, boil down to one key thing: faster speed.

Facebook Is Tracking Your Every Move on the Web; Here's How to Stop It

Two different bloggers discovered that Facebook can still track where you are, even if you log out. Facebook, for its part, has denied the claims. Regardless of who you believe, here's how to protect yourself, and keep your browsing history to yourself.

Google+ users up 30 percent since going public

After opening its doors to the public last Tuesday, Google+ may now have more than as 43 million users. So says Ancestry.com co-founder and Google+ unofficial statistician Paul Allen, who's been keeping a running tally of how big the social network is growing.

Ancient Dead Sea Scrolls Go Online

Google and Israel's national museum have put the Dead Sea Scrolls online, part of a broader attempt to make them available to anyone with a computer. The scrolls include the biblical Book of Isaiah, the manuscript known as the Temple Scroll, and three others. Surfers can search high-resolution images of the scrolls for specific passages.

Best Free Microsoft Downloads

When people set out to look for freeware, a lot of times they specifically look for free alternatives to Microsoft products – free office suites, free alternatives to built-in programs like Paint, Notepad, Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer... even free alternatives to Windows itself. However, Microsoft does provide a collection of free software that is definitely worth checking out. This article is designed to provide an overview of the best free Microsoft programs, some of which are featured in other articles on this website.

New Innovations from Facebook

Looking to the Future, Facebook Digs Into Your Past

A day after shaking up the way its News Feed is presented, Facebook has introduced yet another new feature: Timeline. It collects posts, photos and information from the past to assemble a virtual timeline of a user's life. Perhaps anticipating another round of privacy shock, CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasized that users "have complete control over everything" in their Timelines.

A closer look at the Facebook Timeline and the Open Graph

Facebook today announced a new Timeline feature and a new type of social app under its Open Graph. They’re not available yet, but almost all the details are finally official.

Parsing Netflix's 'Apology’

This columnist once called Netflix “a shining example of a dot-com that’s still in business because it’s an indisputable consumer win, not just a greed play.” O.K., I stand corrected. In July, Netflix enraged its 25 million customers by abruptly jacking up the price of its DVD plus streaming-movies plan by 60 percent — from $10 a month to $16. When I wrote about the turnabout, I noted that the most frustrating part was the incomprehensible explanation that Netflix provided.

iPhone, Android users worry about security, but don't know what to do

iOS and Android users don't seem to share the same views on much when it comes to the mobile space, but they both appear to have concerns about security threats to their devices. According to recent data from the NPD Group, users of both platforms are worried about having their credit card info stolen, device theft, hackers accessing personal information, harmful apps, and unwanted location tracking. Very few have chosen to do anything besides worry, however.

FTC Targets Mortgage and Debt Relief Websites

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has asked a court to shut down websites that falsely suggested they were federal consumer assistance agencies or affiliated with government agencies focused on mortgage or debt relief, the agency said Thursday.

Using Gmail, Calendar and Docs without an Internet connection

The great thing about web apps is that you can access all of your information on the go, and we’ve introduced ways to use Google Apps on a variety of devices like mobile phones and tablets. But it’s inevitable that you’ll occasionally find yourself in situations when you don’t have an Internet connection, like planes, trains and carpools.

Faceoff: Facebook vs. Twitter vs. Google+

In theory, all social networks—including Facebook, Twitter, and Google+—share a similar goal: To provide you with a platform to communicate online with your friends, followers, and encircled. In reality, each network has a considerably different culture, and as such, each is useful in very different ways. Here's a look at what each network does best.

Windows 8 Boot Screens Get a Classy New Look

One of the many notable new features in Windows 8 is how quickly it boots--it can start up in under 7 seconds, in fact. With such a short booting time, what will you get instead of a ton of speeding BIOS text?

Best Free Media Player

Editor George.J has been busy expanding the Best Free Media Player section with new products plus full stand-alone reviews of individual players. That's a really handy feature as users' needs in this category are so different that global recommendations don't work well. Much better that individuals choose products whose features best meets their personal requirements.

Has Netflix Gone Nuts?

Like many of you, I received what purported to be an apology letter from Netflix on Sunday night. It was an apology for the way the price increase was handled. But, then, in the letter, CEO Reed Hastings said most emphatically that the prices will not be changed. But, that is not the crazy part.

In the letter, he announced that streaming services and DVD services will be split between two separate companies…Netflix for streaming…and something called “Qwikster” for DVD’s. What? There will be separate billing for each AND, get this, separate Websites. So if you want both services, you will be billed separately and you will have to go to two completely different sites to make your selections. Want to know if a movie is available for streaming before you put it in your DVD queue for shipment? Then you will have to go to two separate sites. That is nuts.

For me, the really nutty part is taking a successful business model like the DVD service, and giving it a whole new name. Why would anyone in their right mind take a product out of the most well known name in home entertainment and give it a new one while still retaining the old name? There are two possible answers…Netflix management is trying to purposely destroy the DVD side of their business OR Reed Hastings has lost his marbles.

They have already lost over one million customers more than they originally projected with the price increase…and now their stock stock is taking a huge tumble. In July, Netflix shares sold for over $300…today it closed around $130, a $14 drop just today. Oh yes, I almost forgot…Reed Hastings recently sold off a huge block of his own shares. Hmmmm.

Lost in all the Netflix news is the fact that Google+, the new social media service, has left the beta tag behind and has gone public for everyone. No more invitations required. It will be interesting to see where it goes from here. You should try it out…I like it.

Bottom line for you…lots of really interesting stories and information. So enjoy yourself – JRC

Netflix CEO's apology brings new backlash

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings tried yesterday to assuage customer wrath about the company's price hike, but instead ended up triggering a new round with news that its streaming-video and DVD-by-mail services will be almost completely separated.

Netflix/Qwikster: I guess this is good-bye

We've had some good times together. I remember when your red envelopes first freed me from the authoritarian grasp of Blockbuster. You offered films we couldn’t rent anywhere else, and you provided an experience that was simple and cool. And then you had to go and ruin a beautiful thing.

Google+ Opens to All, Adds New Features

Google has begun its full-scale Relevant Products/Services battle against Facebook by opening its Google+ social network Relevant Products/Services to any user. At the same time, the software Relevant Products/Services giant announced nine new features in Google+, such as the ability to search for information in the network or around the web by topic, and to see users interested in that particular topic. The opening of Google+ to the public follows a field trial of slightly less than 90 days, during which time, the company said, nearly eight-dozen improvements were made.

10 ways to enhance Google+

Google made a big splash with its new social network site, and these 10 add-ons will make Google+ even more useful and user-friendly

AT&T moves on to last-ditch efforts to save T-Mobile deal

Bloomberg reports that AT&T is trying to sell off spectrum and subscribers to some smaller mobile providers, most notably MetroPCS and Leap Wireless.

Windows 8 Metro: The InfoWorld visual tour

A radical new look is in store for Windows. Get a first look at Windows 8's smartphone-inspired Metro interface

Chrome 14: The best Web browser keeps getting better

Google’s Chrome Web browser just keeps getting better with every new release. Chrome 14, in this writer’s opinion, is now clearly the best Web browser for any operating system available today. (Note: I don’t necessarily agree with this writer, but that doesn’t make me right – Ed.)

Clean up imported or pasted data in Excel

The data in your beautiful spreadsheet doesn't necessarily start out that way, especially if you've copied or imported it in from some other place. By using some Excel functions and formatting techniques, you can make your names, dates and numbers look just the way you want.

Has Netflix Got the Message Yet?

On September 1, Netflix’s new pricing scheme went into effect…for many people, it amounts to a 60% increase. For some customers, like myself, the pricing change does not go into effect until later in the month…when the billing cycle comes back around again. For me that is Sunday. On Saturday, I will wave bye-bye to the DVD rentals from Netflix and just watch the streaming movies and TV shows, mostly on my new Roku Box.

Too bad as I have been a staunch supporter of Netflix for many many years. And if they don’t improve the live streaming content, that may go bye bye also. And, according to our first story, I am not alone in my abandoning ship. Netflix, once the darling of the tech industry, may be about to start the long, slow slide into oblivion. We shall see.

Lots of other good stories populate these pages today so, be sure and have a go at the ones that interest you. Have a good weekend. - JRC

Netflix feels wrath of consumers, investors

Investors are fleeing Netflix's stock and many subscribers have turned their backs on the Web's No. 1 video-rental service. A combination of skimpy selection in Netflix's Internet-streaming library, problems acquiring content, and an unpopular price increase have led the company's leadership to what appears to be a crucial moment. Observers are beginning to wonder if Netflix's stunning growth of the past two years is coming to an end.

Microsoft joins the anti-Flash crowd with IE10

The first big blow to Flash was Apple's iOS. Now Adobe Systems' browser plug-in faces another major threat to its relevance: Microsoft has banned it and all other plug-ins from the "Metro" version of Internet Explorer 10.

Steve Ballmer Tells Windows 8 Conference That Microsoft Is "Reimagining" Itself

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer made a surprise appearance at the end of Wednesday's BUILD keynote speech, telling the audience that Microsoft is in the process of reimagining itself. Addressing Microsoft's future, Ballmer said: "In a sense you could say that if Windows 8 is Windows reimagined, we're also in the process--and Windows 8's an important step of that--of reimagining Microsoft."

Google Launches Flight Search

Add air travel to the growing number of markets that Google now plays in. The search giant has launched its new Flight Search feature on its popular search engine. When a user enters a query into the search engine that relates to flight information, such as "flights from New York to Los Angeles," a Flights link appears on the left side of the screen. That leads to Flight Search, which also can be reached directly at google.com/flights.

Why Facebook is the New Yahoo (Opinion)

Sure, Facebook looks massively successful. With a mind-boggling 750 million users, the social site can do no wrong, right? Wrong. Look closer, and it looks like Facebook can do nothing right. The company has tried and failed to launch or integrate new services that might thrill users. But users aren't thrilled. And now its strategy appears to be: Just copy Google+. Don't look now, but Facebook is quickly becoming the new Yahoo.

Eleven awesome Gmail Labs features

Gmail isn't just cool because it's part of the Google family of services, it also has many extra features created by independent developers. These features are available to you at no additional cost by enabling them in the Labs area of the Mail settings menu. Here's a collection of 11 of the most awesome Gmail Labs features to get you started with a personalized Gmail experience.

Revamped Photo Sharing Site Offers 10 GB Of Free Storage

Not for the first time, photo sharing site "Minus" has had a major revamp. Gone (or at least sidelined) is the rather confusing URL of http://min.us, so now you can access the system via minus.com instead. Use of the system is still free, and sign-up is both quick and easy. Once you're registered, you get 10 GB of online storage, and the maximum image size has been increased from 50 MB to 2 GB.

How To Install Windows 8 Developer Preview

Now I haven’t installed it as my main OS , this wouldn’t be advisable since it’s still a developer preview and plenty needs to be fixed, so what I’ve done is install it in a virtual box on my Windows 7 machine.

Take Windows 8 Home With You Tonight

No, I am not kidding. You can download a copy of Microsoft’s upcoming newest Windows, AKA Windows 8. Today at a developer’s conference titled “BUILD,” held in Los Angeles, Microsoft was scheduled to show attendees a full fledged version of Windows 8. Everyone knew that was going to happen.

But Microsoft took us all by surprise by announcing the whole world could download a developer preview release, starting tonight. Wow, that was a surprise. So if you want to try it out, it’s yours for the taking.

I have also included an in-depth analysis of what is new…along with a few other non-Microsoft information that you may find of interest. So, without any further fanfare, let’s get started… JRC

Windows 8 Preview Release Downloadable Tonight

Want to give Windows 8's new look a try? Starting tonight, you'll be able to download a Windows 8 developer preview release straight from Microsoft. Windows 8 Preview Release Downloadable Tonight, the Windows 8 preview code will be available as an ISO file at 8 p.m. Pacific time from Microsoft's developer website. You'll have a choice of 32-bit or 64-bit x86 builds, with or without developer tools. Sample apps -- a Twitter client, a Facebook client, games and more -- are also included.

First Look at What's New in Windows 8

Microsoft showed us a more in-depth look at Windows 8 today, from the previously mentioned tablet interface to the traditional mouse-and-keyboard desktop. Here's what it looks like.

Amazon Considering a "Netflix for Books"

Would you pay a fee to access a library of written content? A Netflix for the book-reading world? Amazon is apparently banking you might, as it was reported tonight by the WSJ that the online retailer was considering that option.

Facebook unveils Smart Lists to categorize friends

Facebook is giving users a hands-off option for managing friends lists. Dubbed Smart Lists, the latest improvement to the social network automatically creates friend groups, so users don't need to manage their lists on their own. According to Facebook, for now, the feature will create lists around workplace, school, family, and city. For example, if a user lists their college on their profile, Smart Lists will automatically find all their friends that did the same, and group them together for easier sharing of content between them.

Elgan: How Google+ ends social networking fatigue - Computerworld

When Google+ came along, I had the same initial reaction as you probably did: "What, another one?" Then it hit me: Google+ isn't adding to the problem. Google+ can be the solution to social networking fatigue.

How many pages are on the Internet?

It seems like an answerable question, right? But no one really knows how many websites or individual Web pages make up this seemingly infinite digital universe that is the internet.

The Best Disk Cloning App for Windows

Windows has countless drive cloning programs available, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. It's almost impossible to pick the perfect one, but if you have a drive to clone, we recommend starting your search with DriveImage XML.

Free MP3 Cutter and Editor for Windows

This free mp3 cutter and editor is an extremely simple and handy tool for routine mp3 editing tasks. The program displays a waveform graph that lets you easily select a portion of the mp3 for editing.

Three Great Freebies and Some Good Info

No time to chat today. It’s time for football. But here is some good reading and some great software for you after the game. - JRC

A decade later, public safety still lacks national network

Ten years after the September 11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. is still without a nationwide network that would let first responders from different agencies and jurisdictions communicate with each other over emergency radios. In late August, the National Security Preparedness Group pointed to the lack of the national interoperable radio network recommended by the 9/11 Commission. And the commission itself recently issued a report card that expressed concern over communications capabilities.

GoDaddy still violates ICANN policy--and still sleazy

It’s no secret that GoDaddy is a domain registrar and web hosting provider that uses sleazy marketing. It’s also no secret that they have come under attack for business practices that have angered many of their customers–myself included.

Certificate cleanup for most personal computers

A little Dutch company potentially lets a flood of problems into our Windows machines. The company manages digital certificates; after its recent break-in by hackers, security certificates for Mozilla, Yahoo, WordPress, and other sites are now suspect.

Yahoo's post Bartz ledger: What the new CEO will inherit

The negatives are well known. Yahoo’s board of directors is a joke – who can forget the idiotic move to turn down Microsoft’s bid? — email is on the decline, and the company’s search deal with Microsoft hasn’t quite delivered. Meanwhile, Yahoo’s ad sales are hurting amid turnover and falling rates as marketers use networks to aggregate audience. Here’s a look at the good, the bad and the wild-cards that face a new leader at Yahoo.

Purging Your Computer of Gunk (Part 1)

When you decide to take the plunge and set about turning your computer into a mean clean machine you need go further than Windows 7 itself. Here you will find two useful tools, Disk Cleanup and Defragmenter. Both reside in System Tools, a sub-folder of Accessories. These tools go a long way to cleaning up the mess on your computer.

Clean up your Windows hard drive with WinDirStat

Unfortunately, it's much easier to fill up your hard drive than it is to clean it. With so many folders and directories, how do you pinpoint what's taking up space? WinDirStat, a freeware program for Windows, helps you do just that. The program scans your hard drives and shows you a detailed summary of what's taking up space on your disk in the form of a colorful graphic.

21 Chrome Web apps for serious work

The Chrome browser is rapidly gaining fans and developers are responding by creating apps that will help keep you productive in Google's browser. Add these 21 apps to a Chromebook, and you'll have great tools for working anywhere.

Free - SRS Audio Essentials

If you've never heard SRS's sound enhancements, you're missing out. They add bass, depth, spaciousness, and clarity to just about any piece of music or video. Bass-enriching TruBass and space-enhancing Focus and Definition (as WOW) are actually included with Windows Media Player, but if you use another player, you need SRS Audio Essentials, a free version of which is available that adds WOW and TruBass to any player and works with virtually any audio or video player.

Both Netflix and Yahoo Say Bye Bye to Someone

There is more news hot off the presses again today, but there is also good info and helpful tips. So read on…  JRC

Netflix, Starz to break up: One crazy ride ahead to Feb. 28

Contract renewal talks between Netflix and Starz have broken down and the streaming movie and television company is facing a stunning amount of uncertainty in the next few months. How Netflix navigates the next five months will either rattle its standing as the Web’s darling streaming content service or cement it as an elite Hollywood player.

Yahoo, Bartz part ways (roundup)

Carol Bartz is out as CEO at Yahoo. Chief Financial Officer Tim Morse will take over as interim CEO while the company's board searches for a permanent replacement. The trouble was not Carol, but rather her board who have made mistake after mistake and taken a once hot property and driven it into the ground.

Amazon tablet coming in November for $250?

Much ink has been spilled in the rumor mill about a coming Amazonian tablet, and now those rumors look to be confirmed. TechCrunch has apparently gotten some time with Amazon's forthcoming slate, and reports that it has a 7-inch, backlit color capacitive screen and is bereft of physical buttons.

Amazon continues on its mission to disintermediate publishers

What if you could ask the author of a book a question while you were reading the book? That's the kind of world Amazon wants to offer with its new @author feature, which the online bookstore launched on Wednesday. Readers can ask questions directly from their Kindles while they are reading a book.

7 great Office 2010 add-ins

Office 2010 comes with a ton of great features, especially in its ability to connect with SharePoint 2010 and provide the collaboration capabilities that modern Office users need. However, that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement. Here are seven great add-ins you should consider for Office.

Five ways to avoid being tracked on the Web

Web spies are getting stealthier and stealthier. Recently they've been caught peering into our browser histories to determine the sites we've visited, even in so-called privacy mode with cookies disabled. Many of the companies whose sites were discovered using the technique claimed to have had no idea and immediately decried the spying. If the owners of the spying sites aren't even aware of the activity, what are unsuspecting visitors to do?

NASA releases stunning new moon-landing snaps

NASA has released a series of photos of Apollo moon-landing sites that are dramatically improved over previous photos taken as recently as 2009. The photos were taken by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), which was launched on June 18, 2009 aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, along with the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite.

Best Free Rootkit Scanner/Remover

Windows rootkits are used to hide malware so that their execution goes unnoticed by your security applications. So imagine that a rootkit has been installed on your computer and that its purpose is to hide a virus, thus giving the malware time to complete its goal, steal your data, and damage your system all the while going undetected. Unfortunately, rootkits are extremely effective at this, which means that even though you may believe your PC to be totally clean, some of you could be infected right now.

AT&T and Apple Both Lose Something

So after a couple of days of peace and quiet, the Justice Department made big news…announcing they intend to block AT&T’s purchase of T-Mobile. Most so-called experts expected the merger to go through. So this action by the Justice Dept. caught many folks by surprise. But stayed tuned…the story is not over yet.

As for Apple, they seem to have a penchant for losing top secret iPhone prototypes in California bars. If you remember last year, a lost iPhone 4 showed up on the Internet news site raising all kinds of news and legal actions. Well it happened again this year, although the phone is still lost and has not arrived in a blogger’s desk…yet. Is this just carelessness by Apple employees who drink too much, or a public relations stunt by Apple to make news? Good Lord! Why would Apple allow an employee to take a top secret device out of the office…especially after last year?

So besides all that, this edition is chock full of good information and tech tips, so grab a cup of coffee and have a good read. - JRC

Feds aim to block AT&T's T-Mobile purchase: The fallout

The Justice Department filed to block AT&T’s planned acquisition of T-Mobile and the news is going to shake up the wireless industry. AT&T portrayed its acquisition of T-Mobile as a way to boost 4G services, build out its network, alleviate a wireless spectrum crunch and boost jobs.

Not Again! An iPhone Prototype Gets Lost in a Bar . . .

Apple's iPhone testers may be a forgetful lot. Last year, a tester lost an iPhone 4 prototype in a bar, and this year it looks like an iPhone 5 prototype has also been lost in another California bar. So either the Apple guys are careless with iPhone prototypes, or Apple has found a way to get even more publicity for its popular smartphone.

Can you tell a real Facebook e-mail from a phishing attempt?

Notification e-mails from social networking sites like Facebook can be dangerous; if you’re fooled by a phisher, you can click your way into big trouble. Here are four Facebook notifications that arrived in my e-mail inbox recently. Can you tell which are real and which are fake?

4 simple steps to bulletproof laptop security

Follow these tips, tools, and techniques to protect your Windows notebook against theft, intrusion, and data loss.

TrueCrypt Locks Down Data In a Rock-Solid Vault

TrueCrypt does what any file encryption application is supposed to: It locks down access to your data so no one without a password or keyfile can grab it. But the process TrueCrypt employs and its toolkit of features separates this file encryption product from other contenders.

How to Google Like Google Googles

We tapped the company for some inside tips and tricks that can make you a Google Search, Gmail, and Maps power user.

Google Launches Offline Versions of Gmail, Calendar & Docs

The problem is that when users need offline access to their email or calendar, they really need it. To that end, Google is launching a new Chrome app called Gmail Offline. Separate from Gmail itself, the new app is designed for accessing, managing and sending email while you’re disconnected from the web.

How to use the Windows 7 Magnifier to Make the Computer Screen Easier to See

Did you know that Windows has a utility that allows you to magnify what’s on the screen? Some form of this utility has been in Windows for years but it doesn’t seem to be all that well known. In Windows 7, it comes with a variety of keyboard shortcuts that make using it quite easy.

Some Good Tech Info Today

Lately it seems this blog has been full of blockbuster news. Not this time. Sorry. All is quiet on the tech front…at least for now. But stay tuned…there are rumors everywhere about some pretty neat things coming our way soon. For today, I have a cornucopia of really good information and a free program you just might find useful.

On a personal note, I installed a Roku box this weekend…you know, the little box that streams Netflix and 300 other channels to your TV. It took a painful two days of installation, but thanks to help from Netflix, I finally got it running…but only with a direct wired connection to the Internet. The wireless connection did not work properly…keep this in mind if you are thinking about getting a Roku box. Now, it works perfectly and the picture is terrific.

The day after I installed the Roku, my computer refused to turn on. I was pretty sure it was a power supply, but that seemed strange as the current one was only 90 days old. I took it back to SWS Computers here in Tucson, and they happily exchanged it for a new one. As soon as I installed it, the computer powered right up. All is well in my little world of technology.

Enough about me…now, on with the show…. - JRC

Missed out on the $99 TouchPad? You may get one last chance

HP will produce "one last run of TouchPads" to meet the outpouring of demand that came after various outlets began selling the device at a deep discount price of $99 for the 16GB version and $149 for the 32GB version. The company provides no guarantees that the run will be priced so aggressively, but promises the fadeout of webOS hardware will go on as scheduled.

Fox's 8-Day Content Delay Encourages Piracy

Fox recently decided to stop releasing free online streams of its TV shows on Hulu the day after they air--instead, Fox is delaying free streaming for eight days. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this choice by the network has resulted in an over-100-percent increase in piracy. It's pretty clear: denizens of the Internet don't take too kindly to being stripped of instant gratification.

Microsoft teases more Windows 8 details

Microsoft has posted a detailed explanation of the new, improved, ribbonized Windows Explorer in Windows 8. In a nutshell, Microsoft is grafting a ribbon onto the top of the Windows Explorer window -- no surprise -- that closely resembles the ribbons in Office and a handful of Windows 7 applets.

Google offers peek behind its search results

Recognizing that it's no longer the only search engine in town, Google recently shed some light on how it keeps tweaking its algorithms to improve its search results. (Includes a video)

Tame a new system’s hard-drive bloat

You just bought that new Windows 7 computer, and the next thing you know — you’re running out of space. Here are some tips and tricks to show where your hard drive space is going.

How to rid your HDTV of reflections

Most people don't like watching TV in the dark. The problem is, flat-panel TVs tend to reflect light in the room. Even if you have a matte-screen LCD, light bouncing off the screen is going to diminish picture quality in one way or another. This how-to guide has some obvious and some not-so-obvious tricks and tips to help you make sure that no matter what lighting you have in your room, you're still getting the best picture quality.

How to check if a Web site is safe

Have you been phished? Whether you use a Mac, Windows, or Linux, iOS or Android, there's a real strong chance that somebody has sent you an e-mail or text message in an attempt to get at your personal information. Data means money, and you're a big ol' dollar sign to the bad guys.

The Best Application Launcher for Windows

Windows has a bevy of great app launchers available, but when it comes to power, ease of use, and configurability, Executor is our pick for the best.

Steve Jobs Resigns as Apple CEO

Wow! Was this news a shocker. The last few days have been filled with surprise news stories…HP drops it’s tablet and phone business (and maybe its computer business), Google buys Motorola…and now Steve Jobs resigns as Apple CEO. That is too bad, especially since it is probably health-related. I hope whatever may be wrong with him is not life threatening.

He certainly has been the most innovative CEO I have ever seen. His computers are very good (albeit very expensive), but his real genius has been in devices…such as the iPod, the iPhone, and the iPad. He set the standard for all these devices and everyone else is just playing catch-up. The iPods are still the best devices available for music and the iPad leaves all other tablets in the dust. Can’t wait to see the iPad 3. Not only that, it is changing the way we compute. In short, he created and successfully marketed whole new lines of products and made them easy for people to use. 

Arguably, the smartphone market has caught up to the iPhone, specifically the Android-based phones, but there is a new iPhone coming out very soon so it will be interesting to see what new things it has to offer.

I think his latest innovation, the iCloud, is so simple but so smart. It keeps all your devices in sync instantaneously. It just shows how far ahead of everyone else. Microsoft has everything it needs to do the same thing, but they seem to lack the vision to make it work as easily as Apple. Microsoft’s implementation of cloud-based synchronization is so arcane and difficult to use that is makes me ask the question, “What were they thinking.”

It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Apple without Steve Jobs. Even though I only use one Apple product, I always look forward to seeing their next new product. Good luck to you, Steve. You did good. - JRC

Steve Jobs steps down from Apple

Apple CEO and co-founder Steve Jobs resigned today as chief executive officer from Apple. His place at the top of the company will be taken by Tim Cook, previously Apple's chief operating officer. 

Love Him or Hate Him, Steve Jobs Has Transformed Your Life

Steve Jobs is still Chairman of the Board at Apple, and he is still going to be involved in steering the iconic tech company, but he has officially handed the CEO duties over to Tim Cook. Whether you are an avid fan of Apple, or an ardent Apple-basher, Steve Jobs has had an undeniable effect on technology and the world around you.

HP single-handedly destroys non-iPad tablet market

After getting a taste for $99 tablets, will consumers continue to stomach $500 price tags?

Report: Military video shows China mounting cyber attacks

The Chinese government is under scrutiny after posting a military video that reportedly shows the country engaging in a cyber attack on an American target. The video could represent a smoking gun, demonstrating that China does engage in unsavory cyber warfare tactics, despite its protestations to the contrary.

Facebook moves privacy controls inline, simplifies sharing

Facebook today announced a bunch of privacy improvements for what shows up on your profile and what happens when you share something new. The company isn’t adding new features per se, but it is making it easier to share posts, photos, tags, and other content with only the people you want to do so. (Includes a video on how to use the new controls)

Gadgets and computer gear: How to clean them

We all love our gadgets and computer gear, but how often do we actually take the time to clean them? Probably not often enough.
The cleaning tips here will not only make them look good, but will make them more sanitary and run better. Complete with videos.

Cheap External Hard Drives

Our lives are going digital, and we need storage to hold all of that data. While your computers come with built in storage, it's a good idea to have a backup of your documents, photos, music, and anything else you wouldn't want to lose in a freak hard drive crash. In this economy, however, it might be hard to justify spending an arm and a leg on terabytes of data. Don't worry - we're here to help. We've come up with a list of cheap external hard drives to keep that precious data (and your bank account) safe.

Everything You Need to Know to Buy Your First DSLR

Tired of missing those action shots? Are blurry indoor photos getting you down? A DSLR might be just the cure for your point-and-shoot blues

The Best Free uTorrent Apps

uTorrent is a highly popular BitTorrent program, but of course you probably already know that. Recently uTorrent has introduced a new feature; apps. Although all these are free, I feel I should review them and try to reveal the best one

HP Blows It…Big Time!!

HP's Inability to Communicate Dooms webOS, Mortally Wounds PC Business

It was the biggest tech news of the year so far, but last week's revelations by HP about its PC and mobile OS businesses was so badly bungled by the computing giant that we all got the wrong message. The net effect, of course, is that HP has accomplished what it never intended: It has killed any future for its webOS mobile system. And it has possibly mortally wounded its thus-far dominant PC business as well.

U.S. Best Buy to sell $100 HP TouchPad Sunday

Select Best Buy stores will sell the HP TouchPad tablet for $99.99 on Sunday. A store manager in suburban Los Angeles said the TouchPad will go on sale when Best Buy opens its doors Sunday at 10 a.m. The sale applies to all Best Buy stores that have stock, but not all stores do, he said

Fox's 8-Day Content Delay Encourages Piracy

Fox recently decided to stop releasing free online streams of its TV shows on Hulu the day after they air--instead, Fox is delaying free streaming for eight days. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this choice by the network has resulted in an over-100-percent increase in piracy. It's pretty clear: denizens of the Internet don't take too kindly to being stripped of instant gratification.

Which streaming media device is right for you?

Once a fringe activity for the geeky set, online video streaming is now officially mainstream, thanks in large part to the omnipresence of Netflix on nearly all Internet-connected entertainment devices. But with so many options now available, what's the best solution--be it for Netflix, Hulu Plus, Vudu, Amazon, or any of the myriad other online video sources?

Windows 8 to bring USB 3.0 to the masses

Why is USB 3.0 a big deal? Because it offers greater speed compared to USB 2.0 (up to 5 Gbit/s, or 10 times faster than USB 2.0) and also because it is more energy efficient and promises greater battery life for portable devices.

6 Key Facts About Firefox 6

Continuing its trend for fast-track releases, Mozilla has officially launched Firefox 6, just two months after the launch of Firefox 5. While hardly a major overhaul, the new version includes a number of noteworthy feature updates and additions. Here are six of the most salient developments in Firefox 6.

Everything You Need to Know to Buy Your First DSLR

Tired of missing those action shots? Are blurry indoor photos getting you down? A DSLR might be just the cure for your point-and-shoot blues

Five freeware gems for Windows

The title of this article says it all. There is some very good, if not excellent software listed here...all of them free!!

It’s Moving Day!

Hello everyone. Today is moving day for me…am staying in the same apartment complex, but moving to a different apartment. Change is good, right? Hope so.  Anyway am doing a lot of heavy work and cleaning right now, so I have not had time to gather as many stories as I would have liked…but I have a few of interest.

The big news today comes from HP. They are discontinuing their cell phone line and tablets that run the webOS operating system that they acquired when they bought out Palm. This is bit of a shock as they just purchased Palm less than a year ago for $1.2 billion. Wow. Even more shocking, is they are strongly considering spinning off the PC manufacturing business. They sell a lot of HP computers these days. But, I guess not enough.

Well, I must get back to moving so here is the rest of the days news and info. – JRC

HP murders webOS tablets, phones

HP has announced that it will discontinue its webOS TouchPad and webOS phones, just weeks after the arrival of the TouchPad and a little more than a year after the company acquired the webOS mobile operating system from Palm in a $1.2bn purchase. In a press release floated before the company's quarterly earnings call, HP also confirmed that it is considering a spinoff of its PC business. In April, the company announced that it would bring webOS to PCs as well as new mobile devices.

Firefox 6 patches 10 dangerous security holes

Mozilla has shipped a critical Firefox update to fix at least 10 security vulnerabilities, some serious enough to expose web surfers to drive-by download attacks. According to an advisory from the open-source group, 8 of the 10 vulnerabilities are rated “critical,” meaning that they can be used to run attacker code and install software, requiring no user interaction beyond normal browsing.

When Facebook Gets Creepy - Slideshow from PCMag.com

Facebook, while informational and entertaining, can also be creepy. But aside from the sometimes borderline-disturbing behavior of Facebook users, the site itself has been accused of violating personal boundaries.

Netflix vs. Blockbuster: What's the best service for streaming and DVDs?

here are more choices than ever for your entertainment dollar, but Netflix and Blockbuster remain the only two that offer both online streaming and disc-by-mail options. Recent changes to both--a controversial Netflix price hike and a change of ownership for Blockbuster--make this a perfect time to re-examine how both of these vendors stack up against one another.

It's iPad or nothing, survey says

The study found that out of more than 1,100 potential tablet purchasers, an overwhelming 94.5 percent cited the iPad as a device of interest.

Who makes the best Windows security software? Surprise...

Does antivirus software work? Online criminals have beaten traditional security software that relies on signatures and scans. But there’s an alternative: smarter software that turns the bad guys’ own actions against them. I found some refreshing new ideas from one of the oldest brand names in personal computing.

Surprise! Google Snaps Up Motorola

Google shocked everyone by purchasing Motorola Mobility, the wildly popular cell phone manufacturer. But what does it mean? Will Android phones be limited to Motorola or can other phone makers still play in that sandbox? Android-equipped phones are most popular smartphones on the market, even more popular than Apple iPhones. So many questions…but not enough answers. By the way, S&P has downgraded Google stock to sell, saying that the purchase of Motorola puts Google at risk.

In other news, the Bay Area Rapid Transit system is under heavy fire for turning off the cell phone service in its station during a recent protest. They wanted to stop protest organizers from using phones to organize the protests, much like was done recently in London. Was it illegal? The FCC will let us know.

Lots and lots of news and info today so let’s get started…JRC

Google to buy Motorola Mobility for $12.5B

Google said today it has agreed to buy Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion, giving the search giant valuable intellectual property and getting it directly into the handset business. Google will pay $40 a share in cash for Motorola, a 63 percent premium over the company's closing stock price on Friday. The acquisition will "mildly" add to earnings once the deal closes by year's end or early 2012, Google said.

FCC to Scrutinize BART's Cellphone Block

The Bay Area Rapid Transit system, or BART, will reportedly come under the FCC's microscope following the block that the public transportation system put on mobile devices inside its stations. BART says it instituted the block to keep a public protest from growing out of hand. That decision spawned further protests and may have violated the law.

Gartner: 94 Percent of New PCs Will Ship with Windows 7 in 2011

We've all heard about how people are abandoning Windows in droves, moving to Macs or leaving for Linux. Well, maybe not so much. A recent report from research firm Gartner says by the end of this year, 42 percent of all PCs in the world will be running Windows 7 (and of course, there are still many, many individuals and businesses that are sticking with XP until official support ends in 2014). Even better, they expect 94 percent of new PCs shipped in 2011 will come with Windows 7 - close to 635 million of them.

No contest: Mac vs. Windows security

For nearly two decades now, security experts have debated whether Microsoft or Apple offers superior security. The battle heated up again in the wake of news out of Black Hat about a newfound weakness in the Mac platform. However, the question of whether Microsoft or Apple is more secure is no longer even relevant: Security threats of today and tomorrow aren't as tied to specific desktop platforms as they once were.

Microsoft making big speech bets with Windows 8

The Microsoft Tellme team is working with the Bing, Windows Phone, Kinect/Xbox, Azure and other Microsoft teams to add new speech-centric capabilities to Microsoft and third-party products in the coming year-plus.

Beat the Cell Phone Data Cap Game

We're cutting through the noise to tell you exactly what you need to know, how to avoid getting charged overages, and ways to bring down your data use before your wireless carrier cuts your speed.

Why do people fall for Trojans?

Out in the physical world, crime happens every day. People get robbed and have their pockets picked, and no one blames the victim. So why do the rules change when nontechnical PC users fall for a Trojan online?

Help CERN find the God particle

As a rule, I advocate turning off your electronics whenever they are not in use. It is good for the planet and good for your electric bill. However, if you are using that otherwise dormant silicon to do something spectacular, say, locating the Higgs boson (also known as the God particle), I am all for that.

Hong Kong Stock Exchange Hacked!

It seems it’s a quiet day for tech news. I think we are all still reeling from all the news that indicates our deep recession is going to continue for a while. Not good. I am thankful I retired from the working world so I don’t have to be out pounding the streets for a job. But being on a relative fixed income, I am acutely aware that food, gas, and other prices are on the rise. And many times, the price increases are shockingly large.

Putting all that aside, I have found some interesting stories for this edition of Rants and Raves. I was amazed how the Hong Kong stock exchange was shut down because of hackers…and how Amazon has beaten Apple 30% fee demands through innovation…and how cable and satellite subscriptions are on a downward spiral. Lots of things to digest here.

So without further delays…read-on! - JRC

Hong Kong stock exchange halts trading after hack attack

Hackers broke into the Hong Kong stock exchange news Web site today, forcing the exchange to suspend trading of seven companies, according to The Wall Street Journal. The affected companies, which included HSBC, Cathay Pacific Airways and the Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, which runs the bourse, had all released price-sensitive information earlier in the day. The exchange's news site publishes corporate filings.

Wal-Mart Shuts Down MP3 Store

When I saw the news that Wal-Mart was shutting down its online music store, I had the same reaction that most of you probably did: Wait, Wal-Mart still has an online music store? The retailing giant started up its online music store in the wake of Apple's success with the iTunes Store, and like many of the MP3 sellers of that era--MSN Music, Yahoo! Music, and so on--it's now dead.

Kindle Cloud Reader Rains on Apple's In-App Fee Parade

Amazon has found a way to give iPad users easy access to their Kindle books -- and the Kindle Store -- without having to give Apple a 30 percent cut of its revenue. Other content providers, including Walmart and textbook company Kno, are following suit. The trick? HTML5 Web apps with caching features that allow offline access. The apps also work with PCs and Android tablets equipped with browsers that support HTML5.

Mozilla shrinks Firefox's memory appetite

Mozilla's Firefox 7, slated to ship in late September, will be significantly faster because of work done plugging the browser's memory leaks, a company developer says. Firefox has long been criticized for using large amounts of RAM and for not releasing memory when tabs are closed, practices that can degrade the browser's performance, or in extreme cases, cause it to crash or lock up.

Cable, satellite see quarterly loss of TV subscribers

That loud snipping sound is a greater number of Americans cutting the cord and ditching their cable and satellite TV subscriptions. That's the verdict today in an analysis done by the Associated Press of the pay TV companies' quarterly earnings reports.

Sorry, Hollywood: It’s time for a piracy comeback

The U.S. credit ratings downgrade, tumbling stocks and international instability have made not just financial analysts nervous this week. Consumers are also starting to wonder whether we’re about to enter another recession. Whenever that happens, people start to tighten their belts and cut unnecessary expenses — like paying for movies and TV shows.

Five (And Then Some) Tech Tips for Travel

I’ve been racking up about 70 round-trip flights a year, so I know this space pretty well. I’ve got the tech part of it down to a science. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way—tips for maximum flying efficiency and minimum misery.

Folder Axe Cuts Unwieldy Folders Down to Size

In a nutshell, it's a folder splitter. You know all those utilities that split large files? Folder Axe is the same thing, just for large folders. If you've ever struggled to manage a folder with 8,000 image files, you might see why this can be a useful thing. Actually, a folder with thousands of image files is an easy case: How about a folder full of thousands of random files, with no rhyme or reason at all, like a typical downloads folder?

Tuesday Potpourri of Tech News and Tips

In case you’ve forgotten, today is Patch Tuesday…Microsoft’s monthly day where they send you the latest fixes for your Windows Operating System. Just make sure you get it, or better yet, have your computer set to do it automatically. As I mentioned in the last edition, there are some important fixes coming our way.

Of course, the important news these days revolves around the economy and the lowering of the US credit rating. This affects us all, and the politicians of both parties are very much to blame for all of this. Both parties have had ample opportunities to fix this issues facing us now…both have let us down. I truly wish there was a third party filled with moderates who can work together and have our best interests at heart…not their own bank accounts and the wishes of their corporate masters. It is time to stop fixing the blame and fix the problem.

My 5th story covers the economy in terms of tech spending and how this ongoing, worsening recession will affect the tech industries. The rest are just stories that may help you with your own personal tech…which is what I usually offer, of course. So, away we go…JRC.

Experts: Mobile devices a growing target for criminals

Mobile security is still evolving, and smartphones are vulnerable to hackers and to social engineering schemes. The smartphones make an alluring target because they so often combine both personal and corporate information.

Bing ads lead to more malware; new Mac Trojan in the wild

Malware authors will do just about anything to fool you into installing their software. A popular target is search engine advertising, which one gang is using on Microsoft’s search results. In a separate attack, Mac users are being targeted by a Trojan that mimics a Flash installer.

200,000 BitTorrent Users Sued In The United States

The avalanche of mass-lawsuits in the United States that target BitTorrent users has reached a new milestone. Since last year, more than 200,000 people have been sued for allegedly sharing copyrighted material online, and this number continues to expand at a rapid pace. Added up, the potential profit from the so-called pay-up-or-else scheme runs into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Why Google+ is very much here to stay

The speculation of the month seems to be how long will Google+ last? Does the social network have what it takes to stick around for the long haul? Or is Google’s latest offering too little too late?

If IT spending plummets, blame your politicians

It didn’t have to be this way. If our politicians had put America first, put our economic recovery first, we wouldn’t have scared our creditors.

Most Popular Personal Finance Software

Personal finance applications usually aren't the topic of much debate, but when we asked you earlier this week which application or service you prefer, there was plenty of discussion to go around. You responded, and we highlighted the top five. Now we're back to reveal the winner.

How to organize all your files using tags

If you've ever had to look for that old letter of recommendation or sample design work from years past, you probably either wished you had an intern or prayed for a miracle. Media sorting has been far beyond other file management in terms of ease of use and quick searching thanks to the power of tags. Now you can use Elyse (for Windows and Mac) to tag your non-media files as well to make searching a snap.

Build Your Own iCloud

There must be ways to replicate the iCloud experience with existing services. It turns out there are-in spades. The challenge is in paring them down. Once you do that, you can get everything you get from iCloud-and more-for free if you're willing to mix together a cocktail of services. Here's your shopping list.

WinUtilities Free Edition 10.31

WinUtilities (Free Edition) is a multi-functional system performance and optimization suite for Microsoft Windows. This collection of tools lets you supercharge your PC's performance, enhance its security, tweak and optimize its settings, and customize and personalize your screens.

Special Edition–Social Networking

How many of you are on Facebook? How about Twitter…do you Tweet? And have you tried out the new Google+? In this edition of Rants and Raves, we focus on giving you good information on how to get the most out of these social networking sites.

Personally, I am involved with all three, although I am still feeling my way with Google+. So these articles have been very helpful for me. But, if you come here to read the latest tech news and computing tips, they are still here, although moved down a bit from their normal leadoff position. But, in finding these great recent articles on social networking, I could not resist giving them top priority for this edition.

I hope you find them as useful as I did. So, without further ado, onward and upward…and thanks for subscribing. - JRC

Social Networking 101: A Beginner's Guide to Facebook, Twitter, Google+, & LinkedIn

Whatever your experience or inexperience, we're here to advise you about what you should and shouldn't be doing on today's most-popular social networks.

How to Get More Twitter Followers--The Right Way

People who are new to Twitter sometimes ask me "How can I get more followers?" The quickest way: Follow enough people, and a good percentage of them will follow you back. But the "follow you, follow me" method is flawed.

Your complete guide to Google+

Not everyone has access to the new social network, so if you're waiting patiently for your invite, we've got a few tips on how to take a peek inside, gain access, and bring your Facebook friends along for the ride. Once you've settled into Google+, browse our handy collection of tips including the essentials, profile tweaks, and a few guides for moving your photos from other social networks (like Instagram and Facebook) swiftly into Google+.

Privacy smackdown: Facebook versus Google+

With Google+ rocketing to millions of users in record time, many people wonder whether the claims are true: is Google+ really that much better at defending your privacy than Facebook? Facebook’s rocky history with fluctuating privacy settings and a memorable, scummy, mud-slinging attempt to smear Google make it easy to jump to conclusions, warranted or not. Here’s what you need to know.

Has the United States already suffered its cyberwar Pearl Harbor?

Cyber-warfare sounds like something from a science fiction novel. It’s not. It’s reality. Cyber-security firm McAfee claims to have uncovered a cyber-espionage campaign that’s been going on for five years against more than 70 public and private organizations in 14 countries. The campaign, called “Operation Shady RAT” (remote access tool), are major assaults against both countries and corporations.

Patch Tuesday heads-up: Critical IE update among 13 bulletins

Microsoft is planning a bumper Patch Tuesday for August — 13 bulletins with patches for 22 potentially dangerous security vulnerabilities. Two of the 13 bulletins are rated “critical,” Microsoft’s highest severity rating.

Are you overpaying for smartphone data?

Most smartphone subscribers only use about 20 percent of the data in their monthly plan. But heavy data subscribers are flocking to Sprint Nextel, while light users looking for a good deal are going to T-Mobile.

How To Customize Toolbars and Buttons in Firefox

One of the things I love about Firefox is its extensibility, not only with add-ons but toolbars and buttons. Customizing toolbars and buttons is a quick and easy way to add functions and features without installing any add-ons.

FCC Tightens Rules for Cable TV Providers

FCC Imposes Standstill Rule on Cable Providers

Cable-TV operators cannot suddenly remove videos from independent program vendors under a new Federal Communications Commission rule. The FCC will consider a temporary freeze of existing terms during contract disputes. With cable providers now creating content, Commissioner Michael Copps said they may favor their own shows.

Wave goodbye to free Internet TV

Fox Network, owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., announced the network would begin limiting Web access of its TV shows to viewers who subscribed to participating cable and satellite TV providers (Dish Network is the only one so far to have signed on) or subscribers to Hulu Plus, the portal's paid-subscription service. If you don't pay for any one of those three then you'll have to wait eight days to watch the latest episodes of such Fox shows as "Bones" and "Glee."

Car hacks loom as autos go wireless

Tomorrow's vehicles will communicate wirelessly to reduce accidents, and experts are working to ensure hackers can't abuse the technology

SSDs are fast, but do they last?

If you use a PC for professional purposes, you need a solid-state drive. Period. The difference in performance is profound, as just about any SSD owner will attest. The difference isn't just faster startup and shutdown times, either.
But SSDs are expensive, and they have a reputation for being finicky and failure prone. My survey, plus some new data published today, suggests that could be a bum rap.

Cloud Operations are becoming common, easy to use, and inexpensive

As Cloud services begin to catch on, more companies are offering some services for commercial or personal use. Here are some Cloud Operations that offer those services.

Browser Wars: Chrome vs. IE9 vs. Firefox

You're spoiled for choice these days when it comes to choosing a Web browser—all of the big names are viable choices, and, if you don't like the big three there's always Safari and Opera, too. Which one is right for you?

Just how stupid are Internet Explorer users?

It's a question I've often asked myself: Why would anyone in their right mind continue to use Internet Explorer when so many better and free options are available? Now we have an answer, of sorts.

Thinking About Email Consolidation Strategies

Like many of you, I have multiple email accounts. Like some of you, I have far too many email accounts. And in keeping with my desire to simplify wherever possible, I've been thinking a lot about the best way to consolidate these accounts into more manageable groups. And there are a couple of general approaches that may make sense.

Best Free Antivirus Software

Antivirus software provides an essential layer of protection from a multitude of virus, trojan, worm, spyware, adware, dialer, keylogger and rootkit infections. Traditionally antivirus programs just detected viruses and spyware removers just detected spyware but nowadays the boundary between antivirus and spyware removers is unclear. Most current antiviruses have at least reasonably good detection rates of all forms of malware.

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.