Windows 8 Update

I saw this on thenextweb.com. It must be rather disturbing news to Microsoft, but I suppose it is a sign of the times?

Windows 8 falls to 6.66% share as Windows 8.1 hits 2.64%, but combined the duo barely grows to 9.3%.

Check out the full article here.

 

Thanksgiving 2013

Boston Strong

Congratulations to our Red Sox, the new World Champions!

The Best Android Phones

I can't believe that I don't own a smartphone yet. It just boils down to the monthly charges for a smartphone. Right now I pay $35 a month to Verizon for virtually unlimited voice and text messaging. I just don't see the value - again for me - in doubling that fee or worse for the benefits I'd get. What surprises me is that I do like being out there on the technology curve and reaping the benefits. I guess in my old age I just struggle with the costs. Add to that the costs of cable, high speed internet, and land line and it gets rather ridiculous.

Nonetheless I have decided that if I do take the plunge it will be to an Android phone, and thus this post meant for me and like-minded others.

This article comes from pcmag.com.

"These days, it seems like there's always a smarter, faster, bigger Android phone on the horizon.
 
Google's mobile operating system has managed to capture a record 80 percent share of the global smartphone OS market, according to research firm Strategy Analytics. That's thanks to Android's competitive licensing costs, a large, ever-growing app store, and numerous hardware partners—HTC, LG, Motorola, Samsung, and others offer multiple Android handsets on each carrier.

And that's one of the best things about Android: Choice. At any given time, on Verizon Wireless alone, there are at least 20 different Android handsets to choose from. AT&T sells just as many, and Sprint, T-Mobile, and the regional carriers also offer plenty of choices these days. But how do you decide on the right one?"
                                                            Read more.....

The Top 6 New Features in Windows 8.1

This is a good review of 6 of the top new features in Windows 8.1. For those of you on Windows 8, this is must reading. I think 8.1 looks pretty good. I'd probably wait 2 weeks or a month and watch the press for issues.

"Microsoft's just-launched Windows 8.1 upgrade is way more than a service pack, even though it's a free update for Windows 8 users through the Windows Store. And, let's be frank, even the operating system's most vocal supporters will probably agree that Microsoft needs an update bigger than a service pack to change Windows 8's somewhat rocky narrative. Yes, a lot of the changes are tweaks and tightenings, but there are also plenty of new capabilities like built-in support for 3D printing, Miracast display sharing, and a new Web radio feature in the included Xbox Music app."

More here.....

TECH NOW: Decoding all that processor lingo

This comes from USA Today and will maybe help you figure out all the language concerning the microprocessors in today's electronic devices.

"Who cares about core processors? We do, and so should you if you plan to buy a new computer this year. Here's why:

If you've been in the market for a new gadget lately, you've likely been bombarded with tech jargon that sounds like a cross between a football audible — i3, i5, i7 (hike!) — and a choice of Ivy League schools (Snapdragon, Haswell, Ivy Bridge). I'm talking about various types of core processors, which are like the heart and brains of our favorite gadgets. Why should you care? For one, which one you choose makes a big difference in cost — sometimes by thousands of dollars. Also, core processors can play a big difference in how fast your gadget goes and how long the battery lasts."

More here....

Windows 8.1 update arrives with fresh changes

I wouldn't want to be the first one on the block to install this, but give it a week or two to see what issues may arise first.

This appears in USA Today:

"NEW YORK — Not quite a year later, Microsoft's Windows 8.1 arrives with considerably less drama than Windows 8, and that is to be expected—the changes are far less radical than they were for consumers who made the leap from Windows 7 to Windows 8.

But the latest software promises to be a worthwhile update for anyone who bought a PC and/or tablet with the Windows 8 operating system. And it represents a critical test for Microsoft as it attempts to satiate critics, address Windows 8 shortcomings, and ultimately improve the company's standing in both the tablet and more traditional PC businesses.

The 8.1-update starts to arrive in the Windows Store at 7 a.m. ET Thursday, and will be rolled out globally over the next 24 hours, Microsoft says. Windows 8.1 will be available on new devices and in standalone retail packaging on Friday.

So what doth the upgrade bring? The newest version is more customizable than its predecessor, with more background colors, and more variable sizes for the live tiles that have come to define the Windows 8 experience, on computers and for that matter smartphones.

Perhaps the biggest change you'll notice is the return of a familiar Start button, located in "Desktop" mode in its customary location at the bottom left corner of the taskbar. It's not like you're completely going back to the future — clicking on the new Start button returns you to the default tile-based Windows 8 Start environment, known as the Modern UI with those colorful rectangular and square tiles, some with live data for such things as weather, stocks, e-mail and so on.

Microsoft in 8.1 also lets you boot up your PC in the more traditional-looking Desktop environment if you prefer, or stick with the default tile interface.

Microsoft's better-integrated Sky Drive cloud-based locker takes on a more prominent role in 8.1, and so does Bing search. If while searching, say, for a performer such as Alicia Keys, you'll be able to stream some of her top tracks in their entirety for free, provided via XBox Music. You'll also see pictures of the artist, her birth date and a link to her Wikipedia bio.

Multitasking gets better too in 8.1. Depending on the size of your computer screen, you can display up to four apps side by side, with the ability to alter the sizes of the windows that those apps appear in.
The Windows Store where you'll find the new upgrade also gets a design makeover. Microsoft says there are now 110,000 apps in there, up from about 10,000 about a year ago. New and updated apps are also continually being delivered to the place, a list that includes Evernote, Facebook, Hulu Plus, Netflix, and NOOK.

It remains to be seen, of course, how consumers and critics take to the changes, aesthetically and feature-wise. But if you already bought into the Windows 8 ecosystem, the 8.1-update is in the end a pretty big deal."

Essential free software you can't afford to miss

Now you're talking!

"Free doesn’t have to mean cheesy, especially when it comes to freeware. A developer’s passion project can become something you can’t imagine being without, and the fact that you don’t have to lay out any cash to acquire it is a major bonus. Some developers accept donations to further development, so consider giving what you can if you find value in their efforts."

Check out the whole column from PC World

Facebook Building Its Own Small Town So You Can Live at Work

Amazing!

This version of this story came from http://valleywag.gawker.com/

If you work at Facebook, your employer will already wash your underwear, cut your hair, and feed you—now it's getting into the landlord game. The Wall Street Journal says Zuckerberg will usher in the 21st century version of company towns, a place where you can never truly leave the social network. Read…

Recommended Security Baseline Revisited

It amazes me that this baseline security profile continues to work on all of our home systems, two Windows XP and two Windows 7. It has been a while since I have had to make a change. Note that these are all FREE programs!

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. I do not yet have much experience with Windows 8, but have noticed when I get some hands-on time that Microsoft has replaced its Security Essentials with a built-in anti-virus called Windows Defender. For those of you who have been using Windows XP for a while, note that this is the same name as once used by Microsoft for its anti-malware program.

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 45 years of experience with computers.
 
1. Microsoft Security Essentials. 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 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

Windows 8.1 release date, news and features

Here is some good news for those of you who have Windows 8 and who may not be exactly thrilled with it. Some relief is coming. The referenced article comes from techradar.computing.

"Microsoft has revealed full details about the comprehensive update to Windows 8, now known as Windows 8.1 and formerly known as Windows Blue. We've also had plenty of time with the new update and are running it every day, so check out our brand new Hands on: Windows 8.1 review.

The Windows 8.1 release date is October 17 - it will be available to existing Windows 8 users for free on Windows Update. It will be available to buy in retail from October 18 and has already been released to manufacturers (this stage is known as RTM)."

Read the article here

Never Forget

How to solve the 10 most common tech support problems yourself

And if/when you get frustrated, call me! :-)

This comes from pcworld.com.

"Whether you’re dealing with your dad’s decade-old computer or your own custom-built gaming rig, troubleshooting PC problems is a part of everyday life. Before you make that $50 support call, though, try your hand at homebrew tech support. We spoke to some of the best support reps in the business about the most common problems they fix—and how you can do it yourself.

Read the whole article here

5 budget laptops for college students: We name the best

If you are serious about buying a new laptop, this is an excellent article. This is from PCWorld.com.

"So you’re heading back to school and you need a new laptop—but you didn’t manage your finances over the summer. Your bank account is nearly tapped out, and you still need to buy text books and lay in enough ramen noodles to last through the winter.

Yeah, we’ve all been there. Fortunately, Moore’s Law is still in play, so today’s budget notebook is yesterday’s workhorse. Pretty much any modern laptop can handle the gamut of productivity chores—word processing, number crunching, email, and the like—but all of the machines in this roundup can also tackle media editing and encoding sessions, and deliver respectable entertainment experiences.

To strike the best balance between performance and affordability, I gathered the top five notebooks I could find for $650 or less. Benchmark busters they’re not, but they aren’t budget busters, either."

Check out the whole detailed article here

Google Maps adding real-time traffic updates

One more reason I need a smartphone!

From USA Today:

"The first benefits of Google's $1 billion acquisition of map software service Waze will appear today.
Real-time traffic reports from Waze app users will now appear on the Google Maps app for Apple iOS and Android, says a blog post from Google.

The reports include accidents, road closures, construction and other incidents.

Meanwhile, Waze users will gain access to Google search and Street View. The updates to both services will be available today.

In June, Google scooped up the Israeli startup for $1 billion in an effort to bolster its already powerful Google Maps service. Social network Facebook had been rumored to consider an acquisition of Waze prior to the deal.

Waze is a social mapping app that provides turn-by-turn directions and real-time incident reports filed by its community. The app boasts about 30 million users."

The Best All-in-One PCs

OK, all-in-one PCs may not be the most popular tech items out there today, but there is still a market, and there are some pretty nice product offerings too. This article and table of the best 10 (in the author's opinion) product offerings comes from pcmag.com today. Of interest to me is that he includes offerings from Apple under the umbrella term PCs.

"The all-in-one desktop PC is an interesting beast. It has gone from being the only game in town (think Commodore Pet/Apple III/TRS-80) to a tiny niche (the original Apple iMac) in a sea of tower PCs, to today, where the All-in-One PC is replacing the tower PC as the form factor you picture in your head when you hear the phrase "desktop computer.""

More, including comparison table here.....

GMail a little too open? Google says users should have no ‘expectation of privacy’

I found a link to this article today on boston.com. The link below to protecting electronic communications has lots of detailed information on how to proceed if you want to do something about this, but it gets pretty technical very quickly.

"In a recent court filing, Google admitted what privacy researchers have warned for years: Users of the service have “no expectation of privacy,” likening itself to a secretary who screens a bosses snail mail. Here’s what you can do to change that.

As RT reported, the assertion was made in response to a class-action suit regarding how the company scans users’ emails for advertising purposes, such as offering up vacation destinations when it can tell you’ve got time off coming up.

But while the group that publicized the statement, Consumer Watchdog, claims that it’s a sign that Google does not respect users’ privacy, the problem goes deeper: The concept of third-party, private hosted email is almost fundamentally flawed, particularly now that it has come to light that court orders can secretly get access to corporate servers while preventing user notification.

Email was already deeply flawed since much of it is transmitted unencrypted between servers unless a user adds on an extra level of encryption such as PGP or GPG, and even then leaks of e-mail metadata are common.

Fortunately, Micah Lee of the Freedom of the Press Foundation and the Electronic Frontier Foundation has put together a good, relatively comprehensive guide on protecting electronic communications, and the better news is that much of what you need to do is not that hard, and is getting easier. And that means that, no matter what GMail or any other corporation, government, or hacker wants, you have major control in keeping your privacy protected.

As Lee writes:

“But even with direct access to all the data traveling at the speed of light through the Internet’s backbone fiber-optic cables, even with cooperation of the major United States tech companies (which are extremely difficult for people to boycott), the largest, most powerful, and best funded surveillance apparatus that humanity has ever seen cannot defeat mathematics.”"

 

No, your data isn't secure in the cloud

From computerworld.com:

While online data storage services claim your data is encrypted, there are no guarantees. And with government surveillance programs crawling the web for metadata and email, there's little doubt online privacy can exist without strong safeguards.

Read more...

Two Providers of Secure E-Mail Shut Down

This is very interesting: "Taken together, the closures signal that e-mails, even if they are encrypted, can be accessed by government authorities and that the only way to prevent turning over the data is to obliterate the servers that the data sits on."

See more of this NYT Technology article here

iPhone sinks as Android seizes market share

From the Wall Street Journal:

"Google's Android software continues to steamroll the competition in smartphones, posing bigger problems for companies like Apple and BlackBerry.

New data Wednesday from research firm IDC found that Apple's share of the global market slid to 13.2 percent in the second quarter from 16.6 percent in the year-earlier period. Handsets running Android, meanwhile, jumped to 79.3 percent from 69.1 percent.

The signs are particularly ominous for one-time market leader BlackBerry, despite some high-profile product announcements recently. Devices running its software accounted for just 2.9 percent of global smartphone shipments in the three months ended in June, compared with 4.9 percent for the same period in 2012.

Android is given away free to handset makers by Google, whose strategy is to make money on advertising associated with mobile devices. It has long powered smartphones offered by industry giant Samsung, but has lately also benefited by Chinese companies such as Lenovo, Huawei and ZTE. that are grabbing a bigger chunk of the smartphone market.

"You are seeing tremendous growth in the developing world," said Steve Mollenkopf, president and operating chief of mobile chip giant Qualcomm Inc. Companies selling there are "picking up Android and driving that.""

You can keep your PC clean, tuned, and problem free.

I am posting this for new visitors and regulars who might need a refresher. I continue to use this suite of programs and aids and have no problems on any of our 3 systems, two running Windows 7 and one running Windows XP. One of my objectives is to continue running Windows XP long after the end of Microsoft support in April of 2014.

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. The only difference in Windows 8 is that Windows 8 comes with its own Anti-virus program. It is called Windows Defender. It too is free.

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 45 years of experience with computers.
 
1. Microsoft Security Essentials. This is a very impressive anti-virus program and can replace any you have now. There is no need to pay a fee for an anti-virus program. 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 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@brpcdoc.com

PC sales still smashing tablets on college campuses

This surprises me. I figure it's only a matter of time before tablets take the lead.

This comes from bgr.com:

"There is absolutely no question at this point that tablets are responsible for the global decline in PC sales. This was an inevitability that top market research firms fought at first in an effort to guard their clients, but the numbers don’t lie: PC sales are falling as tablet sales skyrocket. There are still signs of life for PCs though, and one is that people for whom work is a priority still need the software and multitasking benefits afforded by laptops and desktops. Recent market research from Deloitte found that 82% of college students own computers and 80% own smartphones, but just 18% own tablets. “The combination of smartphones and laptops makes the tablet redundant for students,” Deloitte’s Brent Schoenbaum told MarketWatch. Dealnews.com’s Louis Ramirez added that “unless you’re shooting for a degree in Angry Birds, tablets are a horrible back-to-school purchase.”

More.....

Need LIKES on Facebook

If you visit this site regularly or even just once in a while, and if you have a Facebook account, please consider liking my Facebook page.

You will find it at https://www.facebook.com/BRPCDOC

Once there please click on LIKE!

Thanks. Some FB features are only activated for Pages with so many Likes, and I don't have enough right now.

Chromecast, Simply and Cheaply, Flings Web Video to TVs

This comes from David Pogue of the New York Times:

"Ever hear the old saying, “Information wants to be free?” Well, here’s a corollary for you: “TV wants to be à la carte.”

Take the story of the iTunes store. The instant somebody offered the chance to buy songs individually, the world changed forever. Hello, music à la carte. Goodbye, Tower Records.

Now it’s cable TV’s turn. 

We are engaged in a great civil movement, testing whether that business, or any business so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. The number of people who cut the cord, or cancel the satellite, in favor of getting all their TV from the Internet is still small — maybe 1 percent of us a year. But the online alternatives to cable TV are growing. And once it becomes simple and easy to get Internet video from our laptops and phones to the actual television, well, the term “TV drama” will have a whole new meaning. 

Actually, that has just happened. Google’s new Chromecast gizmo is the smallest, cheapest, simplest way yet to add Internet to your TV. It looks like a portly flash drive or maybe a fat keychain — and it costs $35. That’s not a typo."

More......

Feds tell Web firms to turn over user account passwords

Going too far?

From cnet.com:

"The U.S. government has demanded that major Internet companies divulge users' stored passwords, according to two industry sources familiar with these orders, which represent an escalation in surveillance techniques that has not previously been disclosed.

If the government is able to determine a person's password, which is typically stored in encrypted form, the credential could be used to log in to an account to peruse confidential correspondence or even impersonate the user. Obtaining it also would aid in deciphering encrypted devices in situations where passwords are reused."

More.....

Dashlane redux

Please see my post on this subject on June 8.

I installed Dashlane on my XP laptop. I couldn't install it on my Windows 7 desktop due to a technical problem: Dashlane was unable to detect my internet connection (a hard-wired, hich-speed connection). It seems to me that their error message was not describing what their REAL problem was. I wrote their support team 2 days ago, but no reply yet.

I installed Dashlane on my XP laptop last night and this morning I UNINSTALLED it! I did not like it at all. I think their problem is that they do not have very user-friendly prompts or instructions.

Although I dd not exactly recommend it on June 8, I can say unequivocally today thet I DO NOT RECOMMEND DASHLANE.

If you try it and like it, please let me know. I would be glad to hear your two cents.

Follow this blog on Facebook

If you have a Facebook account, you can follow this blog on Facebook.

Go to my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BRPCDOC

Please click on LIKE once there and then click on the RSS icon to view the blog.

Happy Independence Day

Happy 4th! Have a great day.

Windows 8

Okay, perhaps it's a little early to christen Microsoft's Windows 8 as the heir-apparent to its Vista operating system.

Microsoft hears the complaints loud and clear and is doing what it can to avoid another total disaster. For those of you already suffering with Windows 8 you might be interested in this PCmag.com article.

How to Upgrade to the Windows 8.1 Preview

 As for me, my laptop runs Windows XP and my desktop runs Windows 7. I like them both very much. I intend to keep running XP for as long as the hardware lasts. As most know, Microsoft will stop adding updates to Windows XP in April 2014. Won't that be loverly? Just imagine, no more annoying and nagging reminders that you have updates to run! I love the thought, and just hope that the old iron keeps chugging along.

 

Scanning a Signature for Digital Documents

Here is a handy tip from the NY Times.

"If you have access to a scanner, writing your name solidly in dark ink in on white paper and scanning the page is one way to go. Once you save the image file of your signature, you can insert it into Word documents, PDF files or as an image in your e-mail program’s signature area. (When saving the scanned file, choosing the black-and-white bitmap or PNG formats may result in a crisper signature, but the JPG format is more common.)

Image-editing programs like Adobe Photoshop have tools for cleaning up and enhancing your scanned signature, as demonstrated in this tutorial. Adobe TV has a video that shows how to use its Adobe Acrobat software to do the same thing. If you have a Mac with a built-in Webcam and at least OS X 10.7 (Lion), you can also use the Preview app to create a digital signature file you can use to sign documents.

If you do not have a scanner — but have a smartphone — a free or inexpensive document-scanning app can capture an image of your signature; many of these can also convert photos of documents into PDF files or images. Some apps can also directly digitize your signature, so you may want to browse around your phone’s online store to see what solution works best for you."

SOS Online Backup

I love my SOS Online Backup service. I regularly back up all of my important files on their systems in "The Cloud". It is very comforting to know that should I lose any of the 45,385 digital photos I have taken since 2001, I can download them in a matter of minutes from SOS. Same goes for all of my Music files, Video files, and miscellaneous Documents of all sorts.

When I first started with SOS I backed up my data on a daily basis, but now I have gained a lot of confidence in SOS and back up weekly.

If you are looking for an affordable solution to your back up needs, consider SOS. They are the best!

(Did I mention their technical support is superb?)

Check them out by clicking here

 

Dashlane

This is one password management program that really sounds good, and it's free! Furthermore, it is recommended by David Pogue.

“If you want to avoid having your identity stolen, use long passwords that contain digits, punctuation and no recognizable words. Make up a different password for every Web site. And change all of your passwords every 30 days.”

"Have these security pundits ever listened to themselves? 

That advice is clearly unfollowable. I currently have account names and passwords for 87 Web sites (banks, airlines, blogs, shopping, e-mail, Facebook, Twitter). How is anyone — even a security professional — supposed to memorize 87 long, complex password strings, let alone remember which goes with which Web site? 

So most people use the same password over and over again, and live with the guilt. 

There are solutions. Most Mac and Windows Web browsers now offer to memorize passwords for you. But that feature doesn’t work on all Web sites, and is generally of little help when you pick up your phone or tablet. At that point, the only person you’ve locked out of all your online accounts is you. 

The only decent solution is to install a dedicated password memorization program (like Roboform, KeePass, LastPass, 1Password, and so on). Last week, one of the best was just improved: Dashlane, now at 2.0. It’s attractive, effective, loaded with timesaving features and available for Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android — and it’s free."

Read more here

The Laws That Make It Easy for the Government to Spy on Americans

Read rhe article at the WSJ's All Things Digital web site.

May HOSTS file now available

It is a very good idea to keep yours updated!

Tue, May 21 2013 15:12

MVPS HOSTS File Update May-21-2013

The MVPS HOSTS file was recently updated [May-21-2013]
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm
Download: hosts.zip (137 kb)
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.zip
How To: Download and Extract the HOSTS file
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts2.htm
HOSTS File - Frequently Asked Questions
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hostsfaq.htm
Note: the "text" version makes a great resource for determining possible unwanted connections ...
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.txt (559 kb)
Get notified when the MVPS HOSTS file is updated
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/updates.htm

Samsung Galaxy S4: Jack of all trades, still master of just one

From the Boy Genius Report, bgr.com.

 

"The Galaxy S4 is one of the most impressive phones on the planet, but a troubling trend has emerged and it calls Samsung's long-term strategy into question. This sleek Samsung smartphone will definitely get customers in the door, but is the company doing enough to ensure that they keep coming back?"

More....

Solid Sales, and Criticism, for Latest Version of Windows

From the New York Times (I highlighted the last few words - the red highlighted section):

"With Windows 8, Microsoft made bold changes to the look of the software that powers most personal computers. But those moves may have been too aggressive for some customers, the company now concedes.

Microsoft revealed Thursday that it had sold 100 million licenses for its flagship software since it was released six months ago. That was roughly the same number of licenses it sold for the well-received, previous version of the system, Windows 7, in about the same time period. 

Yet Windows 8 has struck a sour note with parts of the computer-buying public. With Windows 8, Microsoft replaced the operating system’s traditional appearance with an interface that looks like a screen of tiles. The change left some customers cold, and though they could switch between the old and te new look, it apparently was not clear enough to some of them how to do it."

More.......

6 Ways to Protect Yourself from Viruses

This comes to us from the Call That Girl web site.

"Did you know that computer viruses can now take pictures of you or worse yet, live video? Well they can, and I’ve witnessed it! It’s a pretty scary thing; who knows what kind of information we are unknowingly giving these people. The question is this…is someone really recording the video or is it in the virus programmed to scare you? Either way, don’t take the risk! Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself.

1.) Tape your webcam if you’re not using it or face it towards the ceiling.
2.) Unplug your microphone when you’re not using it.
3.) Check your add-ons in Chrome, FireFox and Internet Explorer.
4.) Hang up on anyone calling you to tell you that your computer is infected.
5.) When adding new software, beware of the new software they will load on your computer, such as the “Ask Toolbar,” “Mcafee Security Scan,” etc.
6.) If you suspect you may have a virus, have your computer looked at by a professional (like Call That Girl!) ASAP."

I should add, with all due respect to Lisa, you might also consider calling me!

Tech Time Warp of the Week: The 50-Pound Portable PC, 1977

I was in on the ground floor of marketing this "luggable" Portable Computer. My recollection was that it weighed 48 pounds, and I lugged it all over downtown Boston, up to Salem and then on to NH and even Maine! That was my sales territory. I tried to sell it as a portfolio manager in downtown Boston, to chicken farmers in Maine to optimize feed grain mixtures at the lowest cost through linear programming, to a commodities house in Boston, to engineers in Salem, MA, and on and on. We had to be very creative because there were NO "apps" as they are called today, so any prospect was faced with programming the machine on their own using BASIC or APL, the 2 languages available on the 5100. 

Our team of 5 was housed in an IBM Branch Office on Wyman Street in Waltham, MA, and I commuted daily from Hampstead, NH to Waltham, although I tried to make sales calls without having to go to the office. My recollection is that during the one year before the program began falling apart I had sold 5 machines. They ranged in price from a few thousand dollars up to maybe fifteen thousand. We sold auxiliary tape drives (it had one built in) for tape to tape operations, and a very heavy dot matrix, continuous forms printer.

I am glad to see that the product has not been completely forgotten. It was a necessary program by IBM in its first attempt to market computers at the retail level using a dedicated sales force.

I think if I search some boxes full of photo albums I could come up with a picture of our sons using it as it sat on our kitchen counter up there in NH. Our kids were clearly way ahead of their peers in those days having access to a home computer!

I found this article on wired.com: I thank them for remembering, if not us, the product!



"IBM sparked a revolution in personal computing when it unveiled the IBM PC in 1981. But the IBM PC wasn’t IBM’s first personal computer.

Six years earlier, Big Blue unleashed a machine called the IBM 5100. It wasn’t just personal. It was portable — at least by the standards of the day. It weighed a mere 50 pounds.

In the video below — an IBM ad circa 1977 — you can see the 5100 in all its glory, from the VHS-like magnetic tape drive to the five-inch monochrome display. But the machine is only part of the fun. You also get late-’70s business types telling you why they need the thing. “Managing real estate investments involves many difficult decisions. Do I paint now or later? What about the landscaping? Can we afford it? What about taxes?” says one woman. “It’s really nice having a computer to help.”

The 5100 wasn’t the first personal computer. The MITS Altair beat it to market by a few months. But it was the first portable computer — arguably. Fifty pounds may seem bulky today — and, no you couldn’t use it unless you plugged it into the wall — but the 5100 arrived at a time when most machines were still the size of your desk. If not larger.

The 5100 grew out of an IBM project called SCAMP, short for “Special Computer APL Machine Portable.” Like the 5100, this prototype let you build software using the APL programming language. According to IBM, SCAMP was built in 1973, using off-shelf components, and two years later, it morphed in the 5100, which was priced between $8975 to $19,975 (sans accessories). It could also run BASIC, and it shipped with several canned application, including a calculator.

The IBM PC was billed as the successor to the 5100. It was known as the 5150. But it was a completely different machine, and because IBM eventually licensed the basic design to other manufacturers, it would remake the computing world in a way the 5100 never did.

But it wasn’t as portable… "

Article found here: http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2013/05/ibm-5100-tech-time-wrap/

Sorry, but the audio track doesn't seem to work on this video.

Security Baseline revisited

Posted for new visitors and regulars who might need a refresher. I continue to use this suite of programs and aids and have no problems on any of our 3 systems, two running Windows 7 and one running Windows XP.

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. I do not yet have experience with Windows 8.

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 45 years of experience with computers.
 
1. Microsoft Security Essentials. 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 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

Cybercrime's easiest prey: Small businesses

From cnnfn.com

"A data breach investigations report from Verizon (VZ, Fortune 500), released Tuesday, showed that small businesses continue to be the most victimized of all companies.

Of the 621 confirmed data breach incidents Verizon recorded in 2012, close to half occurred at companies with fewer than 1,000 employees, including 193 incidents at entities with fewer than 100 workers.

A separate report from cybersecurity firm Symantec (SYMC, Fortune 500) confirmed that trend. It found cyberattacks on small businesses with fewer than 250 employees increased 31% in 2012, after growing by 18% in the prior year.

It's a pattern that Kevin Thompson, senior analyst with Verizon's RISK team, says he has noticed for the past six years."

More here.....

The HTC One Deserves Its Place in the Spotlight

From David Pogue of the NYT.

"Remember HTC? For a long time, this Taiwanese phone maker seemed to be on a roll. Its Android phones kept making gadget headlines.

Then, all of a sudden, Samsung came along, all technological and marketing guns blazing, and that was that. It became an Apple-versus-Samsung world. Everyone sort of forgot about HTC.

Its latest phone, arriving at Sprint and AT&T next week, and T-Mobile shortly thereafter, will give HTC at least a few more weeks in the spotlight. The phone will cost $200 with a two-year contract for the model with 32 gigabytes of memory, $300 for 64 gigs."

Read more here.....

Bombs at the Marathon

We were not there this year. One year, when son Joe ran, most of our family were gathered close to the finish line on Boylston Street. This year the family was in several places outside of Boston. We all hurt and pray for the families of those lost and for those injured.

From the New York Times.

"A marathon is the most unifying of sporting events. The city that shows up to cheer on thousands of runners doesn’t really know or care much about who wins; there are no sides to root for or against. Those who stand on the sidelines — as they have done in Boston since 1897 — come to celebrate runners from around the world. The country or neighborhood of origin of the competitors matters far less than their stamina.

On Monday, the weather for the 117th running of the Boston Marathon was cloudy and a little chilly — just the way runners like it. Three hours after the winners had broken the tape, there were still many runners on the course, and hundreds of spectators on the sidewalk, when an explosion rocked the finish-line area on Boylston Street, across from the main viewing stand. For a brief second, the flags of scores of nations were bent downward by the blast. 

A few marathoners were knocked over by the force of the explosion. Some runners, locked in their trance, kept going until they realized something horrific had just happened. When they turned back, they said they heard the screams and wails, saw the column of rising smoke, and then the blood and limbs of victims. There was broken glass and agony everywhere. 

Fifteen seconds after the first one, there was another explosion a few blocks away. It was clear this was not a random event but another concerted effort to kill and maim innocent Americans, just because they had gathered in a vulnerable spot on a day when no one’s mind was on terror. The police confirmed that bombs were responsible for the mayhem; three more unexploded devices were found elsewhere around the city. At least three people died — one of whom was 8 years old — and dozens more were injured, some severely.

It could be a while before officials determine which malevolent ideology was behind this attack. President Obama vowed to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice, praising Boston as a “tough and resilient town” that will take care of itself and will be taken care of by the country. “The American people will say a prayer for Boston tonight,” he said. 

The simple joy of a 26.2-mile run was shattered on Monday. But the marathon will be back next year, no matter how much security is required, and the crowds should yell twice as loudly. No act of terrorism is strong enough to shatter a tradition that belongs to American history."

PC outlook darkens as sales slump deepens

No surprises here I'd say.

by Michael Liedtke and Peter Svensson / The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — The ailing personal computer market is getting weaker, and it's starting to look as if it will never fully recover as a new generation of mobile devices reshapes the way people use technology.

A woman walks past laptop computers running Microsoft Windows 8 operating system during the software's launching ceremony in Hong Kong in October 2012.

The latest evidence of the PC's infirmity emerged Wednesday with the release of two somber reports showing unprecedented declines in sales of desktop and laptop machines during the first three months of the year.

Read whole story here

MVPS HOSTS File for April available now

My recommendation is to run Spybot, updated, first and then install the new HOSTS file.

MVPS HOSTS File Update April-02-2013

The MVPS HOSTS file was recently updated [April-02-2013]
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm
Download: hosts.zip (138 kb)
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.zip
How To: Download and Extract the HOSTS file
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts2.htm
HOSTS File - Frequently Asked Questions
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hostsfaq.htm
Note: the "text" version makes a great resource for determining possible unwanted connections ...
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.txt (563 kb)
Get notified when the MVPS HOSTS file is updatedhttp://winhelp2002.mvps.org/updates.htm

Happy Easter!

Jesus Christ is risen today!

Easily recover a hacked account

Per Kim Komando:

"Q. Kim, I think my email address has been hacked. A few of my friends are complaining I'm sending them spam emails that I've never even seen. What do I do?

A. If you've been following my Breaking Tech News page, you know that hacks are almost inevitable these days, Georgia. Hackers are working around the clock to hack into every account they can get their hands on.

It's entirely possible that it's not even your fault. With big companies getting hacked all of the time, the hackers could have gotten your information that way. Sometimes it's even someone you know that breaks into your account.

No matter how it happened, you still need to kick the person out of your account. Fortunately, I know how.

But you have to act fast. The longer they're in your account, the more damage they can do. Once you get them out, you have to take a couple of steps to prevent a future hack, too.

Recovering an email account depends on what method the hacker used to break into it.

Since the account is sending out spam, it's likely that the hacker is using an automated system. This uses stolen information to control your email address, but it isn't smart enough to actually change your account settings.

Log in to your account and change the password. The next time the spambot tries to log in, it won't be able to. Problem solved."

Read more

Q. Kim, I think my email address has been hacked. A few of my friends are complaining I'm sending them spam emails that I've never even seen. What do I do?
-Georgia, from Fort Collins, CO, listens to my national radio show on KFKA 1310 AM. 
A. If you've been following my Breaking Tech News page, you know that hacks are almost inevitable these days, Georgia. Hackers are working around the clock to hack into every account they can get their hands on.
It's entirely possible that it's not even your fault. With big companies getting hacked all of the time, the hackers could have gotten your information that way. Sometimes it's even someone you know that breaks into your account.
No matter how it happened, you still need to kick the person out of your account. Fortunately, I know how.
But you have to act fast. The longer they're in your account, the more damage they can do. Once you get them out, you have to take a couple of steps to prevent a future hack, too.
Recovering an email account depends on what method the hacker used to break into it.
Since the account is sending out spam, it's likely that the hacker is using an automated system. This uses stolen information to control your email address, but it isn't smart enough to actually change your account settings.
Log in to your account and change the password. The next time the spambot tries to log in, it won't be able to. Problem solved.
There's a chance a real person is in control of your account, though. In this case, they might have set all sorts of roadblocks to keep you from taking it back.
- See more at: http://www.komando.com/toolbox.aspx?mode=print&id=9607#sthash.T1zdVulo.dpuf

Q. Kim, I think my email address has been hacked. A few of my friends are complaining I'm sending them spam emails that I've never even seen. What do I do?
-Georgia, from Fort Collins, CO, listens to my national radio show on KFKA 1310 AM. 
A. If you've been following my Breaking Tech News page, you know that hacks are almost inevitable these days, Georgia. Hackers are working around the clock to hack into every account they can get their hands on.
It's entirely possible that it's not even your fault. With big companies getting hacked all of the time, the hackers could have gotten your information that way. Sometimes it's even someone you know that breaks into your account.
No matter how it happened, you still need to kick the person out of your account. Fortunately, I know how.
But you have to act fast. The longer they're in your account, the more damage they can do. Once you get them out, you have to take a couple of steps to prevent a future hack, too.
Recovering an email account depends on what method the hacker used to break into it.
Since the account is sending out spam, it's likely that the hacker is using an automated system. This uses stolen information to control your email address, but it isn't smart enough to actually change your account settings.
Log in to your account and change the password. The next time the spambot tries to log in, it won't be able to. Problem solved.
There's a chance a real person is in control of your account, though. In this case, they might have set all sorts of roadblocks to keep you from taking it back.
- See more at: http://www.komando.com/toolbox.aspx?mode=print&id=9607#sthash.T1zdVulo.dpuf

Q. Kim, I think my email address has been hacked. A few of my friends are complaining I'm sending them spam emails that I've never even seen. What do I do?
-Georgia, from Fort Collins, CO, listens to my national radio show on KFKA 1310 AM. 
A. If you've been following my Breaking Tech News page, you know that hacks are almost inevitable these days, Georgia. Hackers are working around the clock to hack into every account they can get their hands on.
It's entirely possible that it's not even your fault. With big companies getting hacked all of the time, the hackers could have gotten your information that way. Sometimes it's even someone you know that breaks into your account.
No matter how it happened, you still need to kick the person out of your account. Fortunately, I know how.
But you have to act fast. The longer they're in your account, the more damage they can do. Once you get them out, you have to take a couple of steps to prevent a future hack, too.
Recovering an email account depends on what method the hacker used to break into it.
Since the account is sending out spam, it's likely that the hacker is using an automated system. This uses stolen information to control your email address, but it isn't smart enough to actually change your account settings.
Log in to your account and change the password. The next time the spambot tries to log in, it won't be able to. Problem solved.
There's a chance a real person is in control of your account, though. In this case, they might have set all sorts of roadblocks to keep you from taking it back.
- See more at: http://www.komando.com/toolbox.aspx?mode=print&id=9607#sthash.T1zdVulo.dpuf

Q. Kim, I think my email address has been hacked. A few of my friends are complaining I'm sending them spam emails that I've never even seen. What do I do?
-Georgia, from Fort Collins, CO, listens to my national radio show on KFKA 1310 AM. 
A. If you've been following my Breaking Tech News page, you know that hacks are almost inevitable these days, Georgia. Hackers are working around the clock to hack into every account they can get their hands on.
It's entirely possible that it's not even your fault. With big companies getting hacked all of the time, the hackers could have gotten your information that way. Sometimes it's even someone you know that breaks into your account.
No matter how it happened, you still need to kick the person out of your account. Fortunately, I know how.
But you have to act fast. The longer they're in your account, the more damage they can do. Once you get them out, you have to take a couple of steps to prevent a future hack, too.
Recovering an email account depends on what method the hacker used to break into it.
Since the account is sending out spam, it's likely that the hacker is using an automated system. This uses stolen information to control your email address, but it isn't smart enough to actually change your account settings.
Log in to your account and change the password. The next time the spambot tries to log in, it won't be able to. Problem solved.
There's a chance a real person is in control of your account, though. In this case, they might have set all sorts of roadblocks to keep you from taking it back.
- See more at: http://www.komando.com/toolbox.aspx?mode=print&id=9607#sthash.T1zdVulo.dpuf

Should you shut down your computer at night?

The age old question! For what it's worth, I do not shut my computer down at night. I schedule an anti-virus scan to run every night at 1 AM. It is very nice to get up in the morning and see that a full scan was run and no problems were found. I may also start some other long-running task before I retire for the night. Things like Malwarebytes or SuperAntiSpyware take time and resources, so I may start one of these before going to bed. I do use the Power options to turn the display off after 20 minutes of inactivity. I do the same for the hard drive. If I know I will be away for two days or more, I shut the machine down simply to save power. I also make sure to do a system restart two or so times a week. This freshens up the system, resulting in a fresh start after the restart. Mostly this gets rid of all the clutter in the RAM that results from all of the work that was done that day.

Q. My son is constantly telling me not to shut down our computer at night. He says it will damage the computer. I still forget and I do it sometimes. Will it hurt anything if I shut down once or twice a week?
-Meredith, from Baltimore, MD, listens to my national radio show on WBAL 1090 AM.
A. You wouldn't believe how often I receive this question, Meredith. It's been going on for decades. Thank you for giving me a chance to finally put an end to this long-standing debate.
Both sides believe their way is better for a computer's life. The shutdown crowd believes steady power consumption will fry a computer over time. The leave-it-on crew believes that repeated shutdowns do physical damage to a computer's parts.
So, which one really is better for your computer?
In reality, it doesn't matter. Neither is going to change how long your computer lasts. There are advantages and disadvantages to both strategies, though. I'll go into those shortly.
In the old days, it really was a bad idea to shut down your machine too often. Older hard drives and computer parts didn't shut down easily and could damage themselves if they were turned on and off too much.
Plus, electronic components used to wear out quickly. That's why tech experts said you should only shut down if you need to, like when updating software. Things have changed since then, though.
Modern hard drives won't experience the same wear and tear or electrical burnout. They'll die eventually, but shutting down doesn't make the process go any faster. That is, as long as you shut down properly.
That means not unplugging the computer randomly or jamming the power button in the middle of working. Shut down from your computer's on-screen menu whenever you can.
When you shut down this way, Windows often installs new updates. These make your computer faster and safer. Regular shutdowns can save energy, too. Just make sure you follow these tips to make sure your computer doesn't drain any power when turned off. 
Turning off your computer also means it won't make any random noises during the night. If your computer is in your - or your son's - bedroom, this is a welcome change.
There are some advantages to leaving your computer on, however. First, it means you don't have to wait for your computer to boot up in the morning. Of course, you can speed up your computer's startup, but it can still be annoying.
If your computer is on all night, it can work all night. While you're sleeping, it can defrag itself and do other routine maintenance. That means it won't hog resources while you're working, but will still stay in tip-top shape.
So, the choice is yours. I like to schedule a few nights where I leave my computer on to run maintenance. The rest of the time, I turn it off to save power.
If you really want the best of both worlds, you can put your computer into Sleep or Hibernate mode. These combine the energy-saving benefits of shutdown with that always-on convenience. I'll tell you more about both and help you decide which is good for you in this tip.
- See more at: http://www.komando.com/toolbox.aspx?mode=print&id=13316#sthash.8gblE0U1.dpuf

Q. My son is constantly telling me not to shut down our computer at night. He says it will damage the computer. I still forget and I do it sometimes. Will it hurt anything if I shut down once or twice a week?
-Meredith, from Baltimore, MD, listens to my national radio show on WBAL 1090 AM.
A. You wouldn't believe how often I receive this question, Meredith. It's been going on for decades. Thank you for giving me a chance to finally put an end to this long-standing debate.
Both sides believe their way is better for a computer's life. The shutdown crowd believes steady power consumption will fry a computer over time. The leave-it-on crew believes that repeated shutdowns do physical damage to a computer's parts.
So, which one really is better for your computer?
In reality, it doesn't matter. Neither is going to change how long your computer lasts. There are advantages and disadvantages to both strategies, though. I'll go into those shortly.
In the old days, it really was a bad idea to shut down your machine too often. Older hard drives and computer parts didn't shut down easily and could damage themselves if they were turned on and off too much.
Plus, electronic components used to wear out quickly. That's why tech experts said you should only shut down if you need to, like when updating software. Things have changed since then, though.
Modern hard drives won't experience the same wear and tear or electrical burnout. They'll die eventually, but shutting down doesn't make the process go any faster. That is, as long as you shut down properly.
That means not unplugging the computer randomly or jamming the power button in the middle of working. Shut down from your computer's on-screen menu whenever you can.
When you shut down this way, Windows often installs new updates. These make your computer faster and safer. Regular shutdowns can save energy, too. Just make sure you follow these tips to make sure your computer doesn't drain any power when turned off. 
Turning off your computer also means it won't make any random noises during the night. If your computer is in your - or your son's - bedroom, this is a welcome change.
There are some advantages to leaving your computer on, however. First, it means you don't have to wait for your computer to boot up in the morning. Of course, you can speed up your computer's startup, but it can still be annoying.
If your computer is on all night, it can work all night. While you're sleeping, it can defrag itself and do other routine maintenance. That means it won't hog resources while you're working, but will still stay in tip-top shape.
So, the choice is yours. I like to schedule a few nights where I leave my computer on to run maintenance. The rest of the time, I turn it off to save power.
If you really want the best of both worlds, you can put your computer into Sleep or Hibernate mode. These combine the energy-saving benefits of shutdown with that always-on convenience. I'll tell you more about both and help you decide which is good for you in this tip.
- See more at: http://www.komando.com/toolbox.aspx?mode=print&id=13316#sthash.8gblE0U1.dpuf

Q. My son is constantly telling me not to shut down our computer at night. He says it will damage the computer. I still forget and I do it sometimes. Will it hurt anything if I shut down once or twice a week?
-Meredith, from Baltimore, MD, listens to my national radio show on WBAL 1090 AM.
A. You wouldn't believe how often I receive this question, Meredith. It's been going on for decades. Thank you for giving me a chance to finally put an end to this long-standing debate.
Both sides believe their way is better for a computer's life. The shutdown crowd believes steady power consumption will fry a computer over time. The leave-it-on crew believes that repeated shutdowns do physical damage to a computer's parts.
So, which one really is better for your computer?
- See more at: http://www.komando.com/toolbox.aspx?mode=print&id=13316#sthash.9CzWZbHb.dpuf

Q. My son is constantly telling me not to shut down our computer at night. He says it will damage the computer. I still forget and I do it sometimes. Will it hurt anything if I shut down once or twice a week?
-Meredith, from Baltimore, MD, listens to my national radio show on WBAL 1090 AM.
A. You wouldn't believe how often I receive this question, Meredith. It's been going on for decades. Thank you for giving me a chance to finally put an end to this long-standing debate.
Both sides believe their way is better for a computer's life. The shutdown crowd believes steady power consumption will fry a computer over time. The leave-it-on crew believes that repeated shutdowns do physical damage to a computer's parts.
So, which one really is better for your computer?
- See more at: http://www.komando.com/toolbox.aspx?mode=print&id=13316#sthash.9CzWZbHb.dpuf

Q. My son is constantly telling me not to shut down our computer at night. He says it will damage the computer. I still forget and I do it sometimes. Will it hurt anything if I shut down once or twice a week?
-Meredith, from Baltimore, MD, listens to my national radio show on WBAL 1090 AM.
A. You wouldn't believe how often I receive this question, Meredith. It's been going on for decades. Thank you for giving me a chance to finally put an end to this long-standing debate.
Both sides believe their way is better for a computer's life. The shutdown crowd believes steady power consumption will fry a computer over time. The leave-it-on crew believes that repeated shutdowns do physical damage to a computer's parts.
So, which one really is better for your computer?
- See more at: http://www.komando.com/toolbox.aspx?mode=print&id=13316#sthash.9CzWZbHb.dpuf

Q. My son is constantly telling me not to shut down our computer at night. He says it will damage the computer. I still forget and I do it sometimes. Will it hurt anything if I shut down once or twice a week?
-Meredith, from Baltimore, MD, listens to my national radio show on WBAL 1090 AM.
A. You wouldn't believe how often I receive this question, Meredith. It's been going on for decades. Thank you for giving me a chance to finally put an end to this long-standing debate.
Both sides believe their way is better for a computer's life. The shutdown crowd believes steady power consumption will fry a computer over time. The leave-it-on crew believes that repeated shutdowns do physical damage to a computer's parts.
So, which one really is better for your computer?
In reality, it doesn't matter. Neither is going to change how long your computer lasts. There are advantages and disadvantages to both strategies, though. I'll go into those shortly.
In the old days, it really was a bad idea to shut down your machine too often. Older hard drives and computer parts didn't shut down easily and could damage themselves if they were turned on and off too much.
Plus, electronic components used to wear out quickly. That's why tech experts said you should only shut down if you need to, like when updating software. Things have changed since then, though.
Modern hard drives won't experience the same wear and tear or electrical burnout. They'll die eventually, but shutting down doesn't make the process go any faster. That is, as long as you shut down properly.
That means not unplugging the computer randomly or jamming the power button in the middle of working. Shut down from your computer's on-screen menu whenever you can.
When you shut down this way, Windows often installs new updates. These make your computer faster and safer. Regular shutdowns can save energy, too. Just make sure you follow these tips to make sure your computer doesn't drain any power when turned off. 
Turning off your computer also means it won't make any random noises during the night. If your computer is in your - or your son's - bedroom, this is a welcome change.
There are some advantages to leaving your computer on, however. First, it means you don't have to wait for your computer to boot up in the morning. Of course, you can speed up your computer's startup, but it can still be annoying.
If your computer is on all night, it can work all night. While you're sleeping, it can defrag itself and do other routine maintenance. That means it won't hog resources while you're working, but will still stay in tip-top shape.
So, the choice is yours. I like to schedule a few nights where I leave my computer on to run maintenance. The rest of the time, I turn it off to save power.
If you really want the best of both worlds, you can put your computer into Sleep or Hibernate mode. These combine the energy-saving benefits of shutdown with that always-on convenience. I'll tell you more about both and help you decide which is good for you in this tip.
- See more at: http://www.komando.com/toolbox.aspx?mode=print&id=13316#sthash.9CzWZbHb.dpuf

Q. My son is constantly telling me not to shut down our computer at night. He says it will damage the computer. I still forget and I do it sometimes. Will it hurt anything if I shut down once or twice a week?
-Meredith, from Baltimore, MD, listens to my national radio show on WBAL 1090 AM.
A. You wouldn't believe how often I receive this question, Meredith. It's been going on for decades. Thank you for giving me a chance to finally put an end to this long-standing debate.
Both sides believe their way is better for a computer's life. The shutdown crowd believes steady power consumption will fry a computer over time. The leave-it-on crew believes that repeated shutdowns do physical damage to a computer's parts.
So, which one really is better for your computer?
In reality, it doesn't matter. Neither is going to change how long your computer lasts. There are advantages and disadvantages to both strategies, though. I'll go into those shortly.
In the old days, it really was a bad idea to shut down your machine too often. Older hard drives and computer parts didn't shut down easily and could damage themselves if they were turned on and off too much.
Plus, electronic components used to wear out quickly. That's why tech experts said you should only shut down if you need to, like when updating software. Things have changed since then, though.
Modern hard drives won't experience the same wear and tear or electrical burnout. They'll die eventually, but shutting down doesn't make the process go any faster. That is, as long as you shut down properly.
That means not unplugging the computer randomly or jamming the power button in the middle of working. Shut down from your computer's on-screen menu whenever you can.
When you shut down this way, Windows often installs new updates. These make your computer faster and safer. Regular shutdowns can save energy, too. Just make sure you follow these tips to make sure your computer doesn't drain any power when turned off. 
Turning off your computer also means it won't make any random noises during the night. If your computer is in your - or your son's - bedroom, this is a welcome change.
There are some advantages to leaving your computer on, however. First, it means you don't have to wait for your computer to boot up in the morning. Of course, you can speed up your computer's startup, but it can still be annoying.
If your computer is on all night, it can work all night. While you're sleeping, it can defrag itself and do other routine maintenance. That means it won't hog resources while you're working, but will still stay in tip-top shape.
So, the choice is yours. I like to schedule a few nights where I leave my computer on to run maintenance. The rest of the time, I turn it off to save power.
If you really want the best of both worlds, you can put your computer into Sleep or Hibernate mode. These combine the energy-saving benefits of shutdown with that always-on convenience. I'll tell you more about both and help you decide which is good for you in this tip.
- See more at: http://www.komando.com/toolbox.aspx?mode=print&id=13316#sthash.9CzWZbHb.dpuf

Q. My son is constantly telling me not to shut down our computer at night. He says it will damage the computer. I still forget and I do it sometimes. Will it hurt anything if I shut down once or twice a week?
-Meredith, from Baltimore, MD, listens to my national radio show on WBAL 1090 AM.
A. You wouldn't believe how often I receive this question, Meredith. It's been going on for decades. Thank you for giving me a chance to finally put an end to this long-standing debate.
Both sides believe their way is better for a computer's life. The shutdown crowd believes steady power consumption will fry a computer over time. The leave-it-on crew believes that repeated shutdowns do physical damage to a computer's parts.
So, which one really is better for your computer?
In reality, it doesn't matter. Neither is going to change how long your computer lasts. There are advantages and disadvantages to both strategies, though. I'll go into those shortly.
In the old days, it really was a bad idea to shut down your machine too often. Older hard drives and computer parts didn't shut down easily and could damage themselves if they were turned on and off too much.
Plus, electronic components used to wear out quickly. That's why tech experts said you should only shut down if you need to, like when updating software. Things have changed since then, though.
Modern hard drives won't experience the same wear and tear or electrical burnout. They'll die eventually, but shutting down doesn't make the process go any faster. That is, as long as you shut down properly.
That means not unplugging the computer randomly or jamming the power button in the middle of working. Shut down from your computer's on-screen menu whenever you can.
When you shut down this way, Windows often installs new updates. These make your computer faster and safer. Regular shutdowns can save energy, too. Just make sure you follow these tips to make sure your computer doesn't drain any power when turned off. 
Turning off your computer also means it won't make any random noises during the night. If your computer is in your - or your son's - bedroom, this is a welcome change.
There are some advantages to leaving your computer on, however. First, it means you don't have to wait for your computer to boot up in the morning. Of course, you can speed up your computer's startup, but it can still be annoying.
If your computer is on all night, it can work all night. While you're sleeping, it can defrag itself and do other routine maintenance. That means it won't hog resources while you're working, but will still stay in tip-top shape.
So, the choice is yours. I like to schedule a few nights where I leave my computer on to run maintenance. The rest of the time, I turn it off to save power.
If you really want the best of both worlds, you can put your computer into Sleep or Hibernate mode. These combine the energy-saving benefits of shutdown with that always-on convenience. I'll tell you more about both and help you decide which is good for you in this tip.
- See more at: http://www.komando.com/toolbox.aspx?mode=print&id=13316#sthash.9CzWZbHb.dpuf

Should you shut down your computer at night?