Scobie.Net

Category: Software

  • Avoid being phished, distraction free computing, zero day exploits

    Avoid being phished by emails from your “bank” or “credit card company” to change your password by hovering your mouse or pointer over the big button you are being tempted with and looking at the web address that your browser or email program will show right there or in the lower left part of your…

  • Windows 10 privacy settings, guest account, don’t overshare on social media

    Configure Windows 10 privacy settings while upgrading to Windows 10 and you will be ahead of the game. Using the Express Settings screen, though a few minutes quicker, turns on a lot of information sharing to Microsoft’s benefit. So, instead, click on the Customize settings choice as you are welcomed in the “Get going fast”…

  • New printer, Google targeted ads, Windows 10 fixes

    Choosing a new printer? It might be time to ask some questions. Is a true photo printer what you really need when taking a thumb drive of photos to a local photo printer or drug store is cheaper than buying special paper and all those color ink cartridges? Or, maybe you can make do with…

  • Cap Windows 10 data use, use two-factor authentication, consolidate task lists

    It is important to monitor and cap data usage in Windows 10 if you use a cellular hotspot to connect to the Internet. Click the Windows logo button, then Settings, Network & Internet, Wi-Fi, Advanced Options and slide “Set as metered connection” to the On side. This way large updates and apps won’t download. Then,…

  • Google going off XP, find your serial number, Firefox for iOS

    Dates affecting old stuff: Google will stop offering the latest version of their Chrome web browser for Windows XP and Vista, and OS X 10.8 in April of next year, 2016, it is unclear what Firefox’s policy will be on this; and computer makers will no longer be able to sell Windows 7 computers after…

  • Edge the safest browser?, smartphone myths, royalty-free photos, online file conversion, what Facebook see you as

    Is Microsoft Edge the safest or least useful web browser? In Windows 10, Microsoft has a new web browser, Edge, which replaces the tried and true Internet Explorer, with somewhat rewritten innards. Microsoft hopes to have a much safer web browser. However, it is so new that it does not yet support extensions, plug-ins, or…

  • 20-20-20 rule, Windows 10 coming, computer performance tricks

    The 20/20/20 rule is important to learn for better eye health. Every 20 minutes you should look off 20 feet or so, for 20 seconds. Even better is getting up and moving around. Having a window to stare out of helps. If you have trouble keeping to some kind of schedule there is software that…

  • 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…

  • 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…