Virus Updates and Trackpad Hacks

Despite ending support for Windows 7 on January 14 of this year, Microsoft will continue updating the virus signatures for Microsoft Security Essentials, their anti-virus software. This doesn’t mean total protection, but Microsoft seems to be realizing that not everyone is going to jump to Windows 10 by the middle of January. Google’s Chrome browser will continue to be supported on Windows 7 for at least 18 months. Firefox is likely to do the same, if their long support for XP years ago is any guide.

Keeping the look of Windows 7 when you are in Windows 10 is possible with Open Shell (the successor to Classic Shell). Go to fairviewtowncrier.com/links for the link.

If one of your resolutions was to try out some on-line learning, you’ll need help searching for the right massive open online course (MOOC). There are so many of these online courses that they have their own search engines. Start with Course Root, one of the more comprehensive, to figure where you could begin. MOOC-List provides a very comprehensive set of filters to narrow down to your almost perfect course, including a special section of self-paced courses. And, yes, Google is in this game with its own set of courses. Go to fairviewtowncrier.com/links for links to these sites.

Rather than having to search every day for new results for the same old search, check out Google Alerts (google.com/alerts), which will let you set up a search so you are emailed when new results show up. They include some suggestions that you can experiment with and a preview of what that alert would currently show. Don’t forget to check out the options part too.

More than 100 PBS stations now stream through YouTube TV, increasing the number of ways to get their content when you have cut the cord.

Despite ending support for Windows 7 on January 14 of this year, Microsoft will continue updating the virus signatures for Microsoft Security Essentials, their anti-virus software. This doesn’t mean total protection, but Microsoft seems to be realizing that not everyone is going to jump to Windows 10 by the middle of January. Google’s Chrome browser will continue to be supported on Windows 7 for at least 18 months. Firefox is likely to do the same, if their long support for XP years ago is any guide.

Keeping the look of Windows 7 when you are in Windows 10 is possible with Open Shell (the successor to Classic Shell). Go to fairviewtowncrier.com/links for the link.

If one of your resolutions was to try out some on-line learning, you’ll need help searching for the right massive open online course (MOOC). There are so many of these online courses that they have their own search engines. Start with Course Root, one of the more comprehensive, to figure where you could begin. MOOC-List provides a very comprehensive set of filters to narrow down to your almost perfect course, including a special section of self-paced courses. And, yes, Google is in this game with its own set of courses. Go to fairviewtowncrier.com/links for links to these sites.

Rather than having to search every day for new results for the same old search, check out Google Alerts (google.com/alerts), which will let you set up a search so you are emailed when new results show up. They include some suggestions that you can experiment with and a preview of what that alert would currently show. Don’t forget to check out the options part too.

More than 100 PBS stations now stream through YouTube TV, increasing the number of ways to get their content when you have cut the cord.

Jumping cursors on laptops can often be tamed by turning off trackpad features, including many of the multi-gesture two-, three- and four-finger flicks. On a Mac, go into System Preferences, then click on Trackpad. Start unchecking boxes for gestures you don’t use. In Windows 10, use the one-line search box to find Touchpad and start with changing sensitivity to low. Also look for and turn off gestures. Dangling bracelets and other jewelry might also be creating problems, as could other wireless and Bluetooth devices close by. And make sure your antivirus is up to date and consider running a full scan, just in case.