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How do I know which updates to trust?
Yes, people, you do want to keep up with security updates for all those programs and such on your computers. But, how do you recognize the legitimate ones? The written list includes: Windows Security Updates, Adobe Reader and Flash updates (or pretty much any update from Adobe) and Java. Here are images of what to…
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On-line Pet Peeves
Ads with sound that play automatically over my music or podcast. Since many of these seem to be on news sites, I have started email those sites to complain. I don’t know when it will make a difference but complaining about ads might hit them in the wallet. I have learned where my mute button…
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50% solutions
Programs acting buggy all of a sudden? Remember that old stand by, reboot the computer. First close and reopen the wonky program and if things don’t get better, then reboot. It may work 50% of the time. If some part of the computer, like the printer, speakers, mouse, is not working, check all cables. Fully…
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2012 Resolutions – nearly new
Here is that time of year again, new resolutions and some old ones that I didn’t get to. Check all UPSs (uninterruptible power supply). Make sure that only the computer and the monitor are plugged into the side that says battery and surge protection. All other things, especially printers, should only be plugged into the…
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Alternatives to large emails for getting things there
Emailing many photos and video or audio clips is often limited by your internet service provider (ISP) or even the recipient’s ISP. It is so easy to attach video files to an email, or drag a bunch of photos into a new message. However, the megabytes build up fast. And, your outgoing mail may be…
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Exif, or How did you know where I was in that photo?
Recently, my mother sent me one of those news clips about how easy it was to find (read stalk) kids, just from a photo a parent took a smartphone and then posted it on some photo-sharing site. Like all of those news shorts, there was truth and hyperbole wrapped up in this piece she sent.…
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Software hiccups, tips to make a difference
Running two antivirus or Internet security programs at the same time may make your computer feel really slow or broken. Although some antivirus installers will force you to uninstall the competition, others won’t. So take the time to uninstall what you currently have before you install the replacement. It can become much harder after the…
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Cords and Connections
Portable this, digital that, wireless connections and yet I find that I have to keep track of so many different connecting cables, power adapters and chargers that it feels like I have to have a second bag, apart from my clothes. When going away with your devices, what do you bring? Of course, bring the…
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Alternatives to paid software
There are times when you just don’t want to pay retail and for computer software there are often free alternatives to many of the programs you pay for. These are legitimate and often as good or even better in some situations, and this list is focusing just on Windows software this month. So, starting with…
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Staying a bit safer and private on the Web
Use temporary credit cards to avoid theft or repeat billing. Most all banks and credit card companies have a way to make a temporary card number, or something like a gift card. Using them will let you avoid a repeat billing you might forget about or risking a high credit limit card if someone gets…
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Tips to Keep Your Gear Safe During Electrical Storms
Surge protectors are the way to go, either a good one as part of an Uninterruptible Power Supply, or something for fast clamping. Or, to protect everything you can get a whole house surge protector. Anytime your surge protector trips, you should consider replacing it, even though there is a reset button, the electronics won’t…
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iCal upgrade, Epsilon email breach, Facebook
MobileMe iCal upgrade On May 5, 2011, MobileMe will transition to their new Calendar service. If you sync iCal calendars between devices, like two or more computers, iPods, iPads and such, and you wish to continue accessing your calendar at <me.com>, you will have to upgrade your calendars at <me.com>. Apple says all you have…