Happy New Year!

I wish each and every one of you a very happy 2012. I thank you for supporting this blog.

How to Digitize Your Old Photos

This is a very timely article for me. We have raised 4 sons and up until 2001 all of our photos were of the ole paper variety. Fortunately most of them are in albums, so we have a head start on the pocess of organizing and digitizing them. There are, however, many hundreds that are stored away in boxes. Lots of these are not just of our boys but family photos going way back to our parents and our own time as kids. Most of the latter are black and white, but if digitized and stored and organized properly, will make a nice gift to our sons for them to cherish long after, well, you get the idea. (DON'T FORGET TO BACKUP THESE GEMS!)

I had bought a used scanner on Craigslist about 2 years ago, but used it very little, and when I wanted to use it this week, it no longer powers on. I am not sure what the problem is, but expect to be looking for another scanner. I will probably go the used route again. These things are pretty cheap. Mine is a Microtek Scanmate 4800, not a terribly new machine, but it did a very nice job for us the few times we used it. I see the exact same machine on Ebay for around $24 with free shipping, so I am tempted. This time, however, I think I will consider all options, including more modern used equipment and new machines as well.

I didn't mention the fact that this used scanner has a slide attachment so one can digitize the old 2x2 inch slides as well. I have boxes and boxes of slides from my Mother and Father's possessions and I am sure I will find many of those interesting.

Anyway, if you have similar interests, you should find some good advice in this Steve Morgenstern article I found on techlicious.com.

How to Digitize Your Old Photos

PC Doc's Security Baseline

I think every 6 months or so I should publish this post, especially for those of you who may be new viewers. For those of you who are familiar with my security baseline, I continue to use the same portfolio of free products I used 6 months ago. There are no changes.

I hope you are using these programs. Keep them updated before running!

From time to time I refer to my security baseline. My security baseline is merely a list of programs I use (all free) and recommend for anyone to use to keep their systems secure. This applies to YOU if you use Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7.

Remember, all of these products are FREE, but will do as good a job as any fee products you may use. I make that statement and stand by it based on 43 years of experience with computers.
 
1. Microsoft Security Essentials - V2 now available. If you have V1, upgrade now  (FREE!) This is a very impressive anti-virus program and can replace any you have now. DOWNLOAD HERE
2. Windows Firewall (Standard part of your operating system. Check the Security Center to be sure it is on.)
3. MVPS HOSTS File - download the current month's version and update monthly DOWNLOAD HERE
4. CCleaner - check for newer version than you may already have. Run weekly. DOWNLOAD HERE by clicking on Download Latest Version in the upper right hand corner of the page.
5. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - run bi-weekly. DOWNLOAD HERE
6. SuperAntiSpyware Free Edition - run bi-weekly in the off week after #5. DOWNLOAD HERE
7. Spybot Search & Destroy - run monthly just before downloading new HOSTS file. I am testing the new Beta version 2, and I recommend, for now, downloading Version 1.6.2 under "old versions". DOWNLOAD HERE

I will be happy to assist you with any or all of the above installations. This can be done remotely.

Questions?  Comment below or write me, pcdoc at brpcdoc dot com