Author: Bill Scobie
-
Mac location changes, Google SEO truthiness, security summary, lesser known hardware specs
You can automate Mac settings based on your location by using the free app Control Plane. When you have a Mac laptop, there are times you actually go to different locations, with different printers, sound muting needs, file sharing changes, maybe even turning on password prompting. With Control Plan you can set up different contexts…
-
File encryption, controlling social media sucking time, trello.com
File encryption tools exist to keep your work private if someone gets hold of your computer. With files or even your entire hard drive encrypted with a key passphrase only you know, you can protect sensitive financial, medical, or other personal data. The Pro versions of Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 have built-in encryption, as…
-
Patching, posting, scamming, repairing
Update or “patch” many Windows programs at one time with Patch My PC. Windows checks for its own updates but not all software will do the same unless you are actually using that program. And, most of us postpone such updates anyway. If you use Patch My PC, you can have it check for needed…
-
Facebook newsfeed simplified
Facebook newsfeed simplified. Facebook has made changes in News Feed settings that should help you focus (or refocus) on groups and people you follow. When you see a story you don’t want to follow anymore, click the arrow by the story to tweak settings. And, while you are dealing with Facebook, check out their newer…
-
Killer Speed
For killer speed improvement move to a solid state drive. I just finished upgrading from a regular hard drive to a solid state drive (SSD) and I feel that my computer is faster than when I bought it over two years ago. The usual advice for upgrading computers before having to buy a new one…
-
Cleaning computers and alternatives
Chromebooks are an alternative to Windows or Mac laptops and tablets. They are laptops that use Google’s Chrome operating system, often with a solid-state drive, decent battery life, and 11 to 14 inch screens. Having a keyboard, they don’t force you to tap-type on a screen and, of course, integrate with all of Google’s services…
-
Falling
iCloud storage, you get some for free and then you pay for the rest, what a pain on your iPhone or iPad. But there are ways to manage what it being put in that cloud, maybe you don’t need to use as much. Apart from photos and music, quite a few apps will store or…
-
Bits of Advice
Secure passwords that you can remember: You have heard the message, never use the same password twice and use a password manager to help you remember all those different and complex password. But, there are times that you have to know passwords, so here are some tips on making memorable and safer passwords. Make it…
-
In the Heat
If you have a Google account, Google is using your profile information to target ads to others in your groups of friends and such. It may not sound too bad to learn that your friends find that you “liked” or +1’d that new restaurant down the road when they are searching for hot new places…
-
May Jollies
Hidden iTunes power search still there Not all software upgrades improve features. The iTunes store used to have a decent power search feature that would let you hone your search better and it has disappeared. Luckily, it is still available but you have to use a special link to the iTunes store to enable it.…
-
April Follies
In Windows you can chain-load many programs using ninite.com and now there is a similar method for installing many applications at the same time on the Mac Head over to GetMacApps.com and don’t get scared with using the Terminal to accomplish this. One final reminder Windows XP and Office 2003 security support ends this month,…
-
Short Cuts and Privacy
Keyboard short cuts are still king. While Windows 8 is so gesture oriented, especially when you are using a touch screen, it is still useful to know some keyboard shortcuts. Alt+tab is the most wonderful way to switch between open programs. Ctrl+Shift+Esc will open the Task Manager which in Windows 8 can help pinpoint memory…