Is the T-Mobile/AT&T Merger Dead?

AT&T, T-Mobile Aren't Giving Up on Merger

The AT&T Relevant Products/Services move to merge with T-Mobile is entering a new phase. Even with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman and the Department of Justice opposed to the deal, the companies are not giving up.

Google's new ad space: Chrome

Google just found another digital billboard for online ads: its Chrome Web browser. I just started noticing the ads on one of my computers yesterday, and I'm not the only one to see them. The ads don't interrupt ordinary Web browsing by pushing aside Web page content and don't compete with regular Web page ads. Rather, they appear in a yellow-tinted box at the top of the new-tab page in Chrome.

Consumers' interest in Windows tablets plummets

Just a couple months after one study claimed the majority of tablet-buying users wanted a device based on Windows, another research outfit is reporting that consumers are sick of waiting for a true iPad competitor from Microsoft. Consumers’ interest in buying a Windows tablet has plummeted in the past six months, according to a new Forrester Research report on November 29.

Amazon's Black Friday Kindle Sales Quadruple

Amazon reported its best-ever Black Friday sales for the company's Kindle family of e-readers and media tablets, the online retail giant said Monday. Unit sales quadrupled across the board in comparison with Kindle sales the same day last year.

Amazon Kindle Fire: Much more open than I thought

Amazon has been known for locking down the Kindle ebook readers, but all that caution has been thrown to the wind with the Kindle Fire.

Buying an HDTV: Online or in-store?

Every year there are fewer "brick-and-mortar" retailers. Not coincidentally, there are ever more online retailers. The question is: where's the best place to buy an HDTV?

How to buy the right cell phone

Buying a cell phone as a holiday gift is a bit more complicated than buying a television or a camera. It's not that shopping for those products is easy--indeed, one TV can present you with a mind-boggling array of specs--but a cell phone also requires you to select a carrier and choose a service plan.

British Library newspaper archive puts 300 years of history online

The launch of the archive is the first time people will be able to digitally access and search through millions of newspaper articles from the comfort of their homes. Up until now, people have had to travel to the British Library newspaper depository in Colindale, North London, to access the entire collection of 200 local and regional newspapers.

Special Edition–Kindle Fire vs. The Nook Tablet

The hottest new products on the market hit the streets while I was on vacation…the Kindle Fire at $199 and the Nook Tablet at $249. These two products usher in a new product category of sub-$250 tablets. Which is best and how do they compare with the more expensive Apple iPad?

I am going to let you decide by reading some of the best and most in-depth reviews I could find. Trust me, there are many more than are listed here. Because of the interest in this new line of low priced tablets, everyone and their brother has written a review. Do a Google search and see what I mean. The reviews I include here are by experts I respect. I’ve included stand alone reviews of each product and a comparison review. To be honest, it is early days yet and a thorough comparison review is difficult as both products are adding new features and apps, even as we speak.

What is my opinion? Again, difficult for me to objectively analyze for a couple of reasons…one, I don’t own either yet…and two, I am thoroughly involved with the Kindle/Amazon universe as I‘ve owned and loved a Kindle for two years.

Your own decision may be heavily influenced by whether you already own a Kindle or Nook e-reader…which is only to be expected and should be a strong consideration. But, as Kindle user, I am leaning heavily toward the Fire, for more reasons than you might think.

First, the Fire universe is far larger than the Nook. By that I mean that most Android apps are available for the Fire…but not the Nook. There are thousands and thousands of those applications out there…I have some of the best ones on my Android phone and use them regularly. So having access to additional apps is critical to my way of thinking.

Second, the Fire has 8GB of memory and the Nook 16GB. But that number is very, very deceptive. Barnes and Noble reserves 15 of the 16GB for their products, leaving only 1GB available for your apps. The Fire has no such restrictions…so, in fact, you may have more useable memory in the Fire.

Third, the Fire can do most of the same things as an Apple iPad, for about $300 less. It’s nearly 3” smaller than the iPad, but still an extremely usable size at 7”.

On my recent photo expedition, my friend Dave brought his iPad while I brought my small netbook computer. So, I had a chance to use the iPad along side a computer and decide if I wanted or needed a tablet. While I loved what I could do with the iPad, I found it just a little too big for me. But darn…the information we could access was amazing.

As photographers, weather and light conditions are very important to both of us, and we had those kind of applications on the tablet. Yes, those things are available on a computer as well, but harder to get at in the field. Tablets are up and running the instant you turn them on, not so with a computer. So, the functionality of a tablet became very apparent to me on this trip.

As for reading, I still prefer the e-ink screen of a regular Kindle, but I don’t have any of the other functions a tablet offers. I look forward to reading a book on a tablet.

The other thing to remember when buying a tablet is they are a consumption device and not very useful for production. In other words, I would find it extremely difficult to write this blog very easily on any tablet…unless I had a plug-in keyboard. But I can read books, watch movies and surf the Internet quite easily.

I hope I ‘ve given you something to think about if you are considering a tablet, but I encourage you to read the articles below to see which might be right for you…or you might want to wait a bit as tablet computing is still in its early days. I’m sure the best is yet to come. -JRC

Amazon Kindle Fire Review & Rating

The Amazon Kindle Fire puts the Apple iPad on notice. The Fire is the first small tablet that average users can pick up and immediately use, with a simple, clear interface. Then there's the price: Android along with amazing specs for just $199.

Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet Review & Rating

PCMag got our Kindle Fire review unit a few days before we got the Nook Tablet, so it was tough to do side-by-side comparisons. We ended up giving the Kindle Fire our Editors' Choice for 7- inch tablets and I will confess I was a little worried that the Nook may come out as the superior device. In the end, I think we got the call right. The Nook tablet is a fantastic reading device, but the Fire makes a better overall media tablet.

Amazon Kindle Fire vs. B&N Nook Tablet: Is there a clear winner?

If you want a low cost tablet for media consumption (music and videos), games, web browsing, and more with the ability to also read books then the Amazon Kindle Fire and Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet are two solid devices to consider. I have been using both for a couple days and am having a tough time choosing just one.

Amazon Kindle Fire Review

The Kindle Fire is not an "iPad killer" because it's not a 1:1 replacement for Apple's far more expensive and complex device. But it is in fact an excellent iPad alternative, because it does exactly what most people want and it does so at a price that is ridiculously low. But price aside, the Kindle Fire is an excellent piece of hardware.

Nook Tablet review

With a new dual-core processor, 16GB of memory, improved app store, and a few more multimedia features, this year Barnes & Noble is hoping that the Tablet can capture the hearts of those out there looking for an iPad alternative that's more than just a color e-reader. But will it? Does the Tablet live up to its name? Can it extinguish the Fire? Read on to find out.

Kindle Fire first impressions: Wow!

I have the new Kindle Fire from Amazon in my hot little hands and I’m not letting go. It’s going to take the tablet market by storm.

Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet: Not quite as open as we thought

Amazon and Barnes & Noble want you to buy only their content on the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet respectively, and new owners are finding out the companies are serious about that.

Bigger Kindle Fires may be coming in 2012

Amazon may be launching at least one larger version of the Kindle Fire in the first half of 2012. According to DigiTimes, the Taiwanese blog with deep connections in manufacturer supply chains, Amazon is preparing to release the device in new 8.9-inch and 10.1-inch screen sizes. The 8.9-inch size is said to be prepping for launch first.

I’m Back and Better than Ever

Hello again from beautiful and warm Tucson, AZ. I am back from my photographic adventures in southern Utah and ready to resume my blog editor duties. It was a great adventure and I took several hundred photos in Bryce and Zion National Parks as well as side trips to the Escalante and Red Cliffs wilderness areas. You can see some of these photos on both my Postcards blog and up on Flickr. I only have a few up so far but am working my way through them. I am really pleased with what I took. The Autumn colors in Zion were spectacular and I got my first ever snow photos of Bryce Canyon. It was a great, but exhausting time.

Back to technology…the biggest events that took place were the rollouts of both the new Kindle Fire and Nook tablets. There are so many stories and reviews on the subject that I am putting out a special edition of this blog, hopefully by tomorrow. There you will get tons of info on which one you may wish to buy. Be sure and stay tuned.

But, for today, I have some interesting news and features which you hopefully will find of interest. –JRC

Chase Rolls Out Credit Card with Chip Technology

Chip-based credit cards are already used throughout most of the industrialized world, but the U.S. still primarily uses credit cards with magnetic strips. Now, Chase is offering a card with smart-chip technology that aims to reduce fraud and traveler hassle. Increasing concerns over fraud could mean chip-based cards soon become more common.

Microsoft Looks to the Future of SkyDrive

While Google and Apple are getting a lot of press these days about their respective cloud services initiatives, Microsoft of course has its own cloud solutions, some of which are surprisingly low profile despite their usefulness. One such service is SkyDrive, Microsoft's cloud storage solution, which has undergone a number of important improvements in recent months. But today, the company announced plans to address users' changing needs and, I think, offer something that is more compelling.

What you can do about soaring hard-drive prices

Floods in Thailand — and an ensuing worldwide purchasing panic — have pushed the price of hard drives to nosebleed heights and left us all with fewer choices. Here’s what you need to know about the crisis, the fallout, and what you can do about it.

Everything you need to know about buying a smartphone

Smartphones are like cars - there's no single "best car" for everybody, and there's no "best smartphone" for everyone, either. Just like walking into a car dealership without doing your research on prices and features is a recipe for getting overcharged, walking into your local Verizon or Sprint store without knowing what you need is a recipe for future unhappiness.

Google Music debuts, letting users share tunes via Google+

The service takes advantage of Google search technology as well as its ability to tap the tastes of a user's friends to recommend songs. With three of the four major record labels now participating in the service, users will also be able to buy music.

Which music service should you use?

At this point, music lovers and listeners now have 10 scrillion ways to listen to music online. But where to start? Do you patiently upload all your music to Google Music? Do you check out what your friends are listening to on Spotify? Rdio? Mog? Pandora? Which ones are free, and which ones cost money?

Browser Wars: Chrome vs. IE9 vs. Firefox

You really can't go wrong with any Web browser choice these days. Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, and Safari, all are fast, standards compliant, and feature rich. A lot boils down to what you're comfortable with and which features are most important to you.

Tech Turkeys of 2011 (Video)

It's time to talk turkeys. No, not what you're cooking for dinner Thursday; we're talking tech turkeys today. In this video, CNET counts down the biggest fails in tech this year. Who gave us 12 long months of meh? Whose strategy was so bad it will be studied in business school for years to come? A fun video to watch.

MediaMonkey Standard 4.0.0.1459 (Windows-Free)

MediaMonkey is the media manager for serious collectors. It catalogs audio and video files and can be customized to the needs of different 'collections' (e.g. contemporary, classical music, audiobooks, home movies, tv, videos), whether they're located on a hard drive or a network.

US Internet Security Threatened–Outside and Inside

Our first two stories explain this headline…the first is how cyber crooks are threatening us from both hostile and friendly countries. The second story is about our Internet and First Amendment rights are being threatened by our own Congress.

There are also two interesting stories on e-books, one of which is when digital books will surpass printed books. As an avid e-book reader, I found both stories very interesting. While I still do read the occasional paper book, I actually prefer reading on my Kindle…and the number of books I have read has skyrocketed since I got my first Kindle.

Finally, this will be my last tech blog for a couple of weeks. I am leaving in a couple of days on one of my photo expeditions…this time to photograph the autumn colors in Zion National Park and the Escalante region of Southern Utah. But have no fear, I will be back and continue on with my computer tech stories for all us non-nerds.  Until then…JRC

Cybersecurity: The Cybermugging of America

A recent report from the U.S. National Counterintelligence Agency warns that cyber crooks in all corners of the globe are increasingly targeting U.S. Interests. The perpetrators are intelligence services, private sector companies, academic and research institutions and private citizens in dozens of foreign countries, some of which are our allies, the report claims.

New House of Representatives bill may strangle the Internet or nerf the First Amendment

Let me be clear. If you love your Internet, you must read this article. Congress is once again mucking around with our rights, and it ain’t good.

How to find out if your email address has been compromised

An enterprising group of security researchers has created a massive list of 'pwned' email addresses and user names. Take a minute to see if you're on it. I hope you are not.

Amazon launches free e-book borrowing for Prime members

In an interesting twist on e-book lending that's sure to rile competitors, Amazon has launched the Kindle Owners' Lending Library, which allows Amazon Prime members to check out up to one e-book a month for free with no due date.

eBooks vs. Print Books

The question about ebooks is not if they will pass print, but when. The short answer is ... not yet, but we'll have a much better idea in January.

Two Tips to Help Find What You Are Looking For in a Web Search

Do you ever do a search with Google or other search engine that turns up a promising (but long) page where you can’t seem to find a mention of your search terms? The page looks like it might be what you are looking for but you don't see where your particular subject is discussed. Here are two ways to deal with this common frustration.

Clip, crop, wow: 7 tips on using photography in PowerPoint

We put together a series of free, short, training videos to help you. Lesson 1 deals almost exclusively with adding and manipulating photos in PowerPoint.

How to Buy an MP3 Player

Even though many of us have ditched our MP3 players in favor of cell phones or tablets that can play our digital music, the dedicated portable media player (PMP) market does still exist.

How To Reduce Memory Usage in Firefox with MemoryFox

Do you use Firefox? Most of our readers do and we all know that 10 open tabs can be highly problematic for our system memory. There have been times I have seen my Firefox get close to 1.5 gigs of memory. That is just unacceptable!

Hollywood’s Attempt to Control the Internet

News stories about Hollywood interests trying to control our lives through their bought-and-sold lackeys in Congress always pushes my buttons. As always, Hollywood wants to change our fundamental rights to suite their purposes.  This bill is so controversial (the Electronic Frontier Foundation calls it "disastrous") because it would force changes to the Domain Name System and effectively create a blacklist of Internet domains suspected of intellectual property violations. Read the story and you decide.

Another interesting article in this edition is on the history of Microsoft’s major mistakes and how they have changed how the giant corporation operates. It is one of the most read articles on ZDNET in quite a while and was written by a man who knows all about the Redmond giant, Ed Bott. When he writes, I read.

There are also some helpful tools in this edition so read on and enjoy. JRC

Copyright bill controversy grows as rhetoric sharpens

The Stop Online Piracy Act, or SOPA, introduced last week in the House of Representatives to the applause of lobbyists for Hollywood and other large content holders, is designed to make allegedly copyright-infringing Web sites, sometimes called "rogue" Web sites, virtually disappear from the Internet.

Google Presents Gmail, Redesigned

Gmail is getting a makeover. On Tuesday, Google announced updates to its popular e-mail service, which will be rolled out to all users but can be optionally chosen now. The changes include streamlined conversations, displays that adapt better to the screen size and type, new high-definition themes, and better navigation and search. A link in the bottom right of Gmail allows users to "switch to the new

iPhone 4S owners report dramatic battery drain

Apple's new iPhone 4S is running through its battery at a prodigious rate, according to reports on the company's own support forum. A long thread dedicated to the problem now has more than 2,300 messages, runs 160 pages and has been accessed more than 160,000 times, all huge numbers for an Apple support discussion.

A decade's worth of Windows mistakes that changed Microsoft (for better and worse)

As a longtime Microsoft-watcher, I’m as fascinated by the company’s missteps as I am by its successes. Anyone who worked at Microsoft in the first decade of the 21st Century knows the impact that those wrong turns had on the company and its culture. How the company responded to those mistakes had an indelible impact on products that are on the market today and those that are planned for the future. (A Great Article!)

How to Find Help at Microsoft for Your Computer Problems

f you want help with a Windows problem, the ultimate source is Microsoft. There is a vast accumulation of information on the Microsoft website. Unfortunately, the site is huge and keeps changing. Finding anything can be like the proverbial hunt for a needle in a haystack. To help find things on Microsoft, I have put together a short list of some Microsoft links that may make it easier to get answers when help is wanted.

Run Check Disk from Windows Explorer

Run Check Disk from Windows Explorer to Check for and fix Disk Errors. Data Corruption, no matter how up to date your OS or your hard drive is, can still occur. So you should not be one to believe that data corruption is a thing of the past. It isn’t. To address that you should use the Check Disk tool periodically to check the integrity of disks.

The 10 Best Digital Cameras

The problem with buying a digital camera is not only that there are hundreds of models for sale at any given point in time, but you also need to figure out which type of camera is right for you. The good news is that we review lots of cameras—and these 10 are among the best we've tested.

7stacks - A Free Grouping App for Your Taskbar

7stacks is an easy to use, free app that lets Windows 7 (and Vista and XP) users have “stacks” of icons in their Taskbar (in 7) or QuickLaunch Toolbar (in Vista and XP). By using stacks, users can reduce icon clutter, and combine a group of related icons into a single icon.

HP Decides to Stay in PC Business

After drama, HP to keep its PC business after all

Hewlett-Packard isn't going out of the PC business after all. Today, CEO Meg Whitman announced the company would continue to make and sell PCs, reversing a decision made by her predecessor Léo Apotheker in August -- a decision that riled investors and employees and led to his ouster in late September.

BitTorrent and Netflix Dominate America’s Internet Traffic

New data published by the Canadian broadband management company Sandvine reveals that on the average day Netflix and BitTorrent are responsible for 40 percent of all Internet traffic in North America. During peak hours Netflix accounts for a third of all download traffic, while BitTorrent is credited for nearly half of all upload traffic during the busiest time of the day.

What Netflix effect? Redbox will raise rates instead

Redbox was expected to be one of the big beneficiaries of Netflix’s most recent price change. But the effect of that change wasn’t entirely apparent in Redbox’s numbers, as parent Coinstar reported revenues Thursday just slightly above Wall Street consensus. Even worse, Redbox announced it is raising its discount $1 a night rental prices by 20 percent.

Intel lost the tablet war -- is the desktop next?

Intel is losing the multi-billion-dollar tablet war. Tied to Microsoft and its second-rate mobile architecture (currently Windows Phone "Mango"), it's way behind the transformation sweeping the computing world. I'd never count Intel out, but the ARM architecture and its related ecosystem are ideally positioned to win a major share of the desktop of tomorrow.

How to Get a Personalized Financial Plan Without Spending a Fortune

Money management site LearnVest offers an inexpensive alternative to and expensive financial planner: unlimited email access for a year to a CFP for less than what you might pay for just one hour with an in-person visit. Here's how it works.

Device & Conquer: Is your phone spying on you?

In this episode of Device & Conquer, I'll lay out how your phone can track you, dispel a few myths about that, and about GPS satellites, and give you a few tips for taking back what privacy you still have. (Video)

The Best Tuneup Utilities

PC tune up utilities are applications designed to fix the wear and tear that computers suffer over time by repairing hard drive fragmentation, fixing the registry, and deleting useless files. While all of the tools listed here perform these basic actions, a few go the extra mile by implementing unique features.

Turn A Digital Photo Into An Amazing Painting

Here's a novel twist on those web sites that offer to turn your digital photo into something that looks like an oil painting. Psykopaint (www.psykopaint.com) offers similar features, but instead of an automatic conversion you have control of a magic paintbrush.

Netflix Screwed Up and Now it Shows

800K fewer subscribers humbles Netflix

Netflix reported earnings today and the company was made to feel the full force of subscriber dissatisfaction. Leading up to the third quarter this year, the Web's top video-rental service had added a minimum of 1 million subscribers in each of the prior seven quarters. But for the three months ending September 30, Netflix lost 810,000 subscribers. Stock price has fallen from a high of $300 down to just under $87.

U.S. Tablet Users Slow To Adopt Newspaper Subscriptions

One potential barrier to the adoption of digital subscriptions by U.S. tablet owners is screen size. Amazon, Dell, Samsung and other tablet vendors offer models featuring a 7-inch screen, which is less than ideal when viewing newspapers and magazines in a digital format.

Malware loves Windows Task Scheduler

More malware is using Windows Task Scheduler to do its dirty work. Here's how to mitigate this surprising attack vector

Android Ice Cream Sandwich versus iOS 5: Killer features

Google and Apple have both recently unveiled huge changes that respectively make their mobile operating systems far more powerful, and in some ways more similar to each other. Weighing the pros and cons of each platform against the other is a scenario that's played out daily among many people who are deciding which phone to buy.

A Look at Apple's iCloud

iCloud is a synchronizing service. It keeps your calendar, address book, documents updated and identical on all your gadgets: Macs, PCs, iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches. In other words, pretty much what MobileMe was.

Five tips for a better HDTV picture

Everyone wants the best performance out of any product they buy. HDTVs can look great in a store, and then terrible at home. If you're not satisfied with how your TV looks, or want to check to make sure you're getting the best out of it, here are five easy steps for better picture quality.

The Three Best Windows Productivity Tips

We've featured hundreds of Windows productivity tips on this site over the years but three stand out as having near perfect ratings as judged by our readers. I've supplemented these with my personal picks and for good measure, I've asked our readers to tell us what's their all-time favorite Windows productivity tip. Now this WILL be interesting.

Find Junk Files

Find Junk Files may not be an imaginative software name, but it's an accurate one. This free tool finds junk files on your PC, mostly temporary files and folders. It scans for more than 100 file types, even obscure stuff like DOS and Windows 3.1 files, but you can choose what to scan and what to exclude.

Browse Safely on the Kindle Fire.

The more I read about the new Kindle Fire Tablet, the more intrigued I become. This week, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a guardian of our privacy rights, gave tacit approval to the revolutionary new Silk Browser that will be an important part of the Fire. One thing I learned this week is that all web browsing done on Silk will be encrypted, meaning you never have to worry about being spied upon at public Wi-Fi spots.

We’ve got lots of good news and information in this edition, just for you. So I hope you find something you can use. Be sure and check out the Hubble Wallpaper in our last story. Have a good weekend.  -JRC

Amazon Silk Web browser given green light by EFF

Amazon's Kindle Fire is off the hook with one important group when it comes to privacy worries about Silk, the specially created Web browser for the new e-reader/tablet due out next month. Representatives from the non-profit Electronic Frontier Foundation have talked with Amazon officials about the speedy, new cloud-based browser, focusing on what user information will be transmitted via the cloud and shared by the company.

Exclusive: Nasdaq hackers spied on directors

Hackers who infiltrated the Nasdaq's computer systems installed malicious software on the exchange's computers that allowed them to spy on scores of directors of publicly held companies.

Even the BlackBerry faithful are abandoning RIM

The BlackBerry may not be dead, but it's dying. New research from Enterprise Management Associates says that 30 percent of BlackBerry users in companies with more than 10,000 users will move to a different mobile platform in the next year.

A deeper dive into Windows 8: can Microsoft's big bet pay off?

Windows 8 is, without a doubt, the most controversial Windows version the company has ever designed. After a month of using and dissecting the Windows Developer Preview, I offer a deeper look at what’s inside and some predictions about what you can expect in the future.

Android 4.0: The stakes for Google are huge

Google unveiled Android 4.0, also known as Ice Cream Sandwich, and to say the search giant has a lot riding on the mobile operating system would be an understatement.

Making the most of Really Simple Syndication (RSS)

Almost all sufficiently advanced websites these days use RSS — Really Simple Syndication — to keep you notified of the latest information posted on the site. If you’ve never used an RSS feed — or if you use RSS but don’t know how it works — you’re in for a pleasant surprise. RSS feeds bring information to you. Instead of making you scour the Web, checking on the latest and greatest news, most established websites feed you short synopses of what they posted.

Apple launches Steve Jobs tribute page

Apple has launched a Steve Jobs tribute page displaying messages it has received from Apple customers and employees to remember the death of the company's co-founder.

Wallpaper of the Week

This weeks wallpaper is a collection of images from the Hubble telescope presented as wallpaper for your desktop. All the images have a caption that identifies what's in the picture.

The Best To-Do Application for Windows

Wireless companies will finally warn customers before they get large phone bills

Earlier this year the FCC requested that the wireless companies do something about warning customers so they do not get “bill shock” when they get a bill for $5,000 or more. The wireless companies could offer some reasonably priced data plans, but they have opted to do something else. They are going to text you! Don’t worry; you will not have to pay for this text message.

Stuxnet 2.0? Researchers find new 'cyber-surveillance' malware threat

Symantec warns of a new high-end Trojan that’s “nearly identical to Stuxnet” but notes that the malware has a completely different goal.

U.S. Apple Stores to Close Wednesday for Steve Jobs Tribute

Apple reportedly will shut its U.S. retail stores for a few hours on Wednesday to allow its employees to participate in a staff celebration of the life of co-founder Steve Jobs.

Apple sells 4 million iPhone 4S units in first weekend

The new iPhone 4S had a huge weekend on store shelves--or more precisely, leaping off store shelves.

Amazon Cuts Publishers Out of the Mix, Makes Deals With Writers

The Internet was bound to change the old publishing odel eventually, but Amazon has just accelerated the process by starting its own flagship publishing line, effectively cutting its largest suppliers out of part of the mix and making its own deals with writers.

Facebook's Wall of Shame - Facebook Failures

Facebook's Failures, Criticisms and Missteps Revealed in New Research Report.

10 insider's shortcuts for Outlook

Shortcuts are generally good...and Outlook has a bevy of really great, really easy to remember keyboard shortcuts that you should know if you want to speed up your work.

2011 tech industry graveyard

WebOS, Cisco Flip camera, Google Labs, and the rest: A list of IT companies, technologies, and ideas killed off or headed for the end of life

The Best To-Do App for Windows

Windows has a few good to-do apps up its sleeve, not to mention more webapps than you can shake a stick at. Our favorite of the bunch is Wunderlist, a syncing, full-featured, and free app for multiple platforms.

Kindle Fire and 8-Core Processor Making Headlines

Lots of good information and tips in this edition of Rants and Raves…so let’s get right to it. Have a great weekend, everybody. JRC

Early Signs Suggest Strong Holiday Sales for Kindle Fire

Early evidence suggests that Amazon’s $199 touchscreen Android tablet, the Kindle Fire, will be a strong seller this holiday season. The tablet, which goes on full sale Nov. 15, is currently the bestselling and “Most Wished For” device in the electronics category on amazon.com, followed by Amazon’s lower-priced line of ereaders.

The World's First 8-Core Desktop CPU Detailed

Last month, AMD earned a Guinness World Record for highest clocking speed ever recorded with its forthcoming 8-core CPU, code-named Bulldozer. Now, however, the company has pulled back the curtain on the new multicore processor line, which will come in four varieties, ranging from a $115 entry-level model to a $245 high-end configuration.

Mobile deathmatch: Apple iOS 5 vs. Google Android OS

After months of hype, Apple has released iOS 5 for current iPhone 3G S and 4 owners, for iPad and iPad 2 owners, and for third- and fourth-generation iPod Touch owners. The fact is that iOS doesn't exist in isolation. It competes with Google's Android OS, and the group of smartphones running Android now significantly outsells the iPhone.

Apple publishes guide on how to set up iCloud

Those of you trying to figure out to how to tap into Apple's iCloud now that the service is officially up and running can turn to the company's setup guide. The newly released guide explains how to get the online service working on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, as well as on a Mac or PC, a process that apparently can be confusing.

Only you can prevent phishing attacks

I wondered what would make someone fall for a message that appeared to me like an obvious phishing attempt. Well, people respond to sales receipts even if they haven't bought anything online recently--nobody wants to be charged for something they didn't buy.

Sneaky App Masquerades as Netflix in Latest Android Malware Scare

A newly discovered malicious app in an Android user forum sneaks in by assuming the name of a trusted brand: Netflix. Once downloaded, the app will take the user's log-in and password info, then report that the app isn't compatible with the user's phone. One's Netflix credentials may not be particularly sensitive information, but it's possible the malware's authors have larger plans.

Take your PC’s temperature — for free!

Overheating in PCs can cause unexpected hangs and shutdowns — and even shorten the life of your computer. Fortunately, it’s easy to monitor your system’s temperature and to correct the most common causes of overheating.

Nail your writing without the hammer: Choosing words with Word tools

Repeating words or phrases can add emphasis, but repetition can also start to sound like a hammer. It can be a distraction to readers. I like to avoid using the same words too many times--and here's how Word helps me avoid verbal ruts...

Neiio Consolidates All Your Online Contacts for You to Import Anywhere

Most of us have contacts scattered across various social networks and mailboxes. Until now, getting them all in one convenient place required awkward manual importing/exporting or using services that are only partially free. Webapp Neiio is an elegant, smart, and free solution.

Netflix Wakes Up…and Smells the Coffee

Finally, someone at Netflix realized how stupid it was to spin their DVD business off to a new company called Qwikster. So, for now (and hopefully forever), DVD’s and videos-on-demand will be housed under the same roof, as it has always been. Of course, this new move required yet another apology from Netflix to its customers, but it just had to be done.

In other news, today is Patch Tuesday, Microsoft’s monthly update to your Windows operating system…so make sure you either get it or set your computer to get it automatically.

And there are lots of other interesting stories, including the first review I’ve seen about the Amazon Fire Tablet. So read on and get informed… JRC

Netflix drops unpopular Qwikster DVD plan

Hastings' earlier plan to put movie and television DVD rentals on a different website, which never went into effect, was one of several missteps in recent months that have helped drive shares of the one-time Wall Street darling down about 60 percent since July.

Microsoft Fixes Internet Explorer, Windows Flaws in October Patch Tuesday

Microsoft's October Patch Tuesday release addressed flaws in Internet Explorer, .NET Framework and Silverlight, Windows, Forefront UAG and Host Integration Server. Microsoft fixed 23 vulnerabilities across eight security bulletins as part of its October Patch Tuesday release.

Uncle Sam wants you -- and your e-mail

Due to an ancient law, the feds could eavesdrop on your electronic communications, and you'd be the last to find out

8 piles of paper replaced by iPads

Pilots, preachers, politicians and football teams among those taking the plunge with the Apple iPad tablet computer. An interesting article on the increasing use of digital pads.

Amazon Kindle Fire Review

In the world of tablets, there are great products and there are cheap products, but very few great, cheap products. For those of you unwilling to shell out $500 for an Apple iPad 2, and who are wary of buying a piece of junk, Amazon.com's $199 Kindle Fire tablet should be at the top of your wish list.

Walmart Launches Local Deals Facebook Page

Walmart is taking advantage of the local deals fad by launching its own Groupon-clone. However, Walmart's service has a few distinguishing traits that set it apart from the throngs of other daily deals services.

Cloud-savvy iTunes is Here Now

The big new feature in iTunes 10.5, which you can download for Windows and Mac, is support for iCloud, Apple's service for syncing data wirelessly.

How to Bring Back the Games to Windows 7 Professional

Here’s a quick tip for those who might be new to Windows 7 and have the Professional version. Are you wondering where the usual Windows games went? A first look at a new Windows 7 Professional computer seems to show that the games that we have all come to expect as a part of Windows are missing. Actually, they are just disabled and are easily restored.

Run Android Apps On Windows 7 With BlueStacks

The basic player lets you run several preloaded Android apps and then install up to 26 others, as well as sync apps from an Android phone to your PC.

Steve Jobs is Dead

It’s a sad day when I have to lead with a story like this. Steve Jobs was one of the most influential technology creators of our time. The best comment I heard today about him was that he was the Thomas Edison of our generation. I believe that to be absolutely true.

He created so many devices that have become a staple in our everyday technological lives. His iPod is a daily part of my life…I basically don’t go anywhere without it. He inaugurated the smart phone era with his iPhone…and he created the era of the tablet that is only just beginning, even though Microsoft had a similar product years ago that was a dud. With the exception of the iPod (and iTunes, of course), I personally am not a user of Apple Products. But that in no way diminishes my respect and admiration for one of the most innovative creators of our time.

For this edition, I included three of the best stories about Steve Jobs: The first is about his death; the second is about his special talent for innovation and how he made it work; and the third is about what will happen to Apple from here on in. I also have included other interesting stories that might be of interest to you…but their importance seems to be diminished, at least for this day. - JRC

Apple's Steve Jobs has passed away

Jobs had been suffering from various health issues following the seven-year anniversary of his surgery for a rare form of pancreatic cancer in August 2004. Apple announced in January that he would be taking an indeterminate medical leave of absence, with Jobs then stepping down from his role as CEO in late August.

Steve Jobs's special talent

The real reason he was revered, rather than just respected, was his ability to completely inhabit the mind of the user and to design products from that perspective -- then propel that vision through every stage of the process without compromise. Users sensed he was their passionate advocate.

An Apple without Steve Jobs

When Apple co-founder Steve Jobs stepped down from his role as CEO two months ago, the immediate question "was what happens to Apple next?" With Jobs' passing yesterday, the company now faces that scenario.

Amazon Silk brings super fast, cloud-powered web browsing to Kindle Fire

Buried in most reports about Amazon's five new Kindles, was the news that it is also releasing a new mobile Web browser called Silk. The browser is based on Webkit, but employees Amazon's vast Cloud-based resources to offload a lot of browser functions. According to Amazin, this makes it a LOT faster. We weren't able to test it, but Geek.com has the details on how this new hybrid browser works.

Firefox 7: Better Memory Management (Review)

I was hoping that Mozilla would do a better job with Firefox 7 than it had with the rather disappointing Firefox 6. They have. While it’s not as good as Google’s latest Chrome 14 Web browser, it is better. The real question: “Is it good enough?”

Getting the most from Windows Search

Here’s how most experienced Windows users get turned off by Windows 7′s search: they click the Win7 Start orb, type something into the Search box, and wait while Windows comes back with results — first in bushels, then in barrels, and finally an avalanche. “Whooooa!” (or something slightly less printable) they say, “I only wanted to find files with this text in the filename …. Windows 7 is useless; they’ve even included spam messages in here.”

Hotspot Shield - Free

The Internet connection protector Hotspot Shield encrypts your traffic to protect you from all kinds of spying while your computer communicates with the rest of the world. It's a must-have utility for anybody who uses public Wi-Fi networks.

Apple’s Big Day a Dud

Everyone in the tech world thought today was the day Apple introduced its new and improved iPhone 5…and everyone was wrong. Today, Apple introduced a moderately modified version of the iPhone 4 and called it the 4S. You could hear the air come out of all the Apple Fan-Boys all over the world.  Well, that might be a bit of an exaggeration. But, the stock market was disappointed as Apple stock dropped 3.7%.  You can read more about the new phone in our first story.

If you would like to experience the new Windows 8 User Interface without loading up the Developer Version of the new operating system, check out the last story. It will tell you how to get the so-called “Metro” interface on your Windows 7 computer. Easy to install…and uninstall if you don’t like it.

That’s all for me today…have fun! - JRC

iPhone 4S First Take

As expected, Apple introduced the iPhone 4S today. The news was underwhelming and disappointing to many who were also expecting an iPhone 5. There's also the fact that the iPhone 4S looks almost identical to the iPhone 4. However, there's more than meets the eye, as Apple made a number of changes under the hood to improve on performance, including a faster processor, a more advanced camera, and a new antenna design. In addition, Apple expanded its family to include Sprint and a 64GB model.

Microsoft Tries to Make Hotmail Cool Again With Overhaul

Microsoft is trying to overhaul Hotmail in an attempt to make its free email service cool again. The company on Monday announced several new automatic features aimed at cleaning up Hotmail accounts and helping users organize piles of so-called graymail.

Microsoft falsely labels Chrome as malware

Google has released a new version of Chrome after Microsoft's antivirus software flagged the browser as malware and removed it from about 3,000 people's computers on Friday. Microsoft apologized for the problem and updated its virus definition file to correct the false-positive problem.

Yahoo, ABC partner for news alliance

Yahoo and ABC News are teaming up to share news content, reporting resources and original videos. The "alliance," announced Monday on "Good Morning America" and at a press conference in New York City, is expected to reach 100 million people per month. Both GMA anchors and executives at the events called the deal "game-changing" several times.

How to stop Facebook, Google+, and Twitter from tracking you

Yes, it's true -- but not for every site. Those of us who know how the Web works know that every time you visit a page with a Facebook, Google+, or Twitter link, the code behind that link actually comes from Facebook or Twitter servers, so if you're surfing to that page with the same browser that you're currently logged into Facebook or Twitter with, then they know you're on that site. They know how long you spent on that site, how often you visit, and so forth. It's all very simple to do. Yet most people are cheerfully oblivious to this fact.

Windows 8 security: Stronger but gentler

Microsoft's next operating system incorporates more security than Windows Vista, with fewer annoying upfront notifications

Probably the Best Free Security List in the World

This huge list of computer security products and services has been compiled over several years and is continuously updated. The products listed are almost exclusively free with a few exceptions. These include useful products without a free alternative that offer lifetime licenses and products of outstanding merit.

Windows 8 UX Pack for Windows 7

For those of you who want to try out the new Windows 8 UI, but don’t fancy installing the developer preview, here is another option for you. This free Windows 8 UX Pack will bring the Windows 8 UI experience to your desktop without any modifications to your registry or system files.

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.