This is from David Pogue's blog. He is with the New York Times.
"I think my 6-year-old is addicted to the iPad.
He asks for it constantly. He wants to use it in the car. He wants to use it at every unscheduled moment at home.
He brings it to the dinner table.
When I tell him it’s time to shut off the iPad and head up to bed, or put his shoes on, or head out to the bus, he doesn’t hear me the first three times I ask. Sometimes, he gets bizarrely upset when I say I have to take it away now — out-of-character upset. That’s what makes me think he’s addicted."
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Xoom Vs. iPad: The Real Tablet Wars Begin
From PC World:
Motorola couldn't have chosen a worse time to start selling the Xoom, the first real Apple iPad competitor. Just as the Xoom went on sale on Verizon, Apple dropped an iBomb in the shape of a press invitation next week to the unveiling of the next generation iPad (let's call it the iPad 2).
But even with the iPad 2 looming, Motorola's Xoom will have to go head to head with the original iPad. If you can't hold on a bit longer without a tablet, here's how the Xoom and iPad stack up against each other.
Motorola couldn't have chosen a worse time to start selling the Xoom, the first real Apple iPad competitor. Just as the Xoom went on sale on Verizon, Apple dropped an iBomb in the shape of a press invitation next week to the unveiling of the next generation iPad (let's call it the iPad 2).
But even with the iPad 2 looming, Motorola's Xoom will have to go head to head with the original iPad. If you can't hold on a bit longer without a tablet, here's how the Xoom and iPad stack up against each other.
A Patrol for the Web’s Playgrounds
From the New York Times:
A company’s nationwide network of moderators aims to keep Web sites free of cyberbullies.
A company’s nationwide network of moderators aims to keep Web sites free of cyberbullies.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tell us how you really feel!
This comes from the Call That Girl blog:
Reasons why we do not recommend AVG 2011
"…Or any of their products for that matter. Put simply, viruses, spyware, and malware get right through most antivirus programs. And AVG 2011 is no exception, it’s one of the free products that we see most often when we remote into a computer that has viruses on it. Not only is AVG 2011 a bad and heavily bogged down product, but it is just not worth the download, free or paid. (And in our opinion AVG 8.0 used to be one of the best). But just like with Norton (we consider AVG Norton’s little brother) or Symantec products, they both took a once good product, weighed it down, and ultimately just ended up ruining it. Sometimes it’s just right to leave things well enough alone."
Your humble PC Doc, me, agrees 100%. I strongly recommend Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) for all, although there was a time, pre-MSE, when I was AVG Free's number one fan!
Friday, February 18, 2011
The Tablets of MWC 2011: Watch Your Back Apple
Yesterday I wrote about how the world of tablets is expanding. Here's some data to back that up - from PCWorld.
Apple sold over 14 million iPads so far, a huge head start on these tablets introduced or first demoed at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this week. The iPad is attacked from all sides: smaller screens, more multimedia blitz or port bonanzas. Can these upcoming tablets show Apple who has the last word in the tablet wars?"
"Mobile World Congress 2011 was the launchpad for tablets from tech heavyweights LG, Samsung, HTC, Toshiba, Acer, and ViewSonic. Here is a roundup of what debuted.
Apple sold over 14 million iPads so far, a huge head start on these tablets introduced or first demoed at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this week. The iPad is attacked from all sides: smaller screens, more multimedia blitz or port bonanzas. Can these upcoming tablets show Apple who has the last word in the tablet wars?"
Top 10 MWC Tablets Challenging The iPad
Thursday, February 17, 2011
When Should You Buy a New Laptop?
What a tough time to feel a need to buy a new laptop. The world of tablets is expanding every day with new brands and models, all claiming to be one better than the other guy. I'd love to have a tablet, but just can't justify the extra expense at this time.
Most netbooks (like the ASUS 1215n which I own) are cheaper than a tablet. Most notebooks (laptops) are priced the same or higher than most tablets, so the tablet fits right there in the middle between the two.
If however, you feel the need for a new laptop, you might find some useful information in this PC World article.
Most netbooks (like the ASUS 1215n which I own) are cheaper than a tablet. Most notebooks (laptops) are priced the same or higher than most tablets, so the tablet fits right there in the middle between the two.
If however, you feel the need for a new laptop, you might find some useful information in this PC World article.
When Should You Buy a New Laptop?
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
E-cycling begins with you
This is a good site if you want to recycle some computer components. Tip: In using the site I found that I had success by clicking on a state name on the map. The "Pick Your State" drop down menu at the bottom of the page didn't work for me.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
IBM's Watson Ties for Lead on Jeopardy Despite Some Missteps
From maximumpc.com:
"As fans of technology, it was easy rooting for IBM's Watson supercomputer in last night's first of a three-day Jeopardy segment pitting man versus machine. Watson's going up against two former Jeopardy champions, Ken Jennings, who in 2004 won 74 games in a row earning over $3 million including tournaments, and Brad Rutter, Jeopardy's biggest money winner of all time with over $3.2 million. Tough competition, but in the opening round, Watson held its own."
"As fans of technology, it was easy rooting for IBM's Watson supercomputer in last night's first of a three-day Jeopardy segment pitting man versus machine. Watson's going up against two former Jeopardy champions, Ken Jennings, who in 2004 won 74 games in a row earning over $3 million including tournaments, and Brad Rutter, Jeopardy's biggest money winner of all time with over $3.2 million. Tough competition, but in the opening round, Watson held its own."
Monday, February 14, 2011
Netbooks Lose Status as Tablets Like the iPad Rise
Anyone want to buy a good used Netbook?! :-) This comes from the New York Times.
"Remember the Last Big Thing in computing? You’ll be forgiven for having forgotten it was the netbook — a small notebook computer with a slender price tag, about $300.
Today, tablets are all the rage, including the iPad from Apple and a host of new entries starting to come from rivals like Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Research In Motion and Samsung. But less than two years ago, in 2009, netbooks were seen as the earth-shaking force in the industry, potentially changing the economics of the business and undermining the technology leaders, Intel and Microsoft.
Things didn’t work out that way. Netbook sales were meteoric in 2009, jumping eightfold in the United States, to 7.5 million devices, and tripling worldwide to 34 million. Yet the torrid growth stalled last year."
"Remember the Last Big Thing in computing? You’ll be forgiven for having forgotten it was the netbook — a small notebook computer with a slender price tag, about $300.
Today, tablets are all the rage, including the iPad from Apple and a host of new entries starting to come from rivals like Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Research In Motion and Samsung. But less than two years ago, in 2009, netbooks were seen as the earth-shaking force in the industry, potentially changing the economics of the business and undermining the technology leaders, Intel and Microsoft.
Things didn’t work out that way. Netbook sales were meteoric in 2009, jumping eightfold in the United States, to 7.5 million devices, and tripling worldwide to 34 million. Yet the torrid growth stalled last year."
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
XP Desktop Resurrected
Okay, I did it. I have moved into our new home in Acton and I decided to see if I could get my old faithful IBM desktop to come alive after a rather longer than planned hiatus due to the sluggish real estate market, but that's another story.
My good old desktop, running Windows XP SP3 is alive and well. I have committed to it as my main computer, so my laptop usage is limited to web browsing and web mail, whereas my desktop at home has my Outlook and other serious software applications.
I have decided that I see no reason why this machine, and XP on my other machines, should not be able to carry me through to 2014, the announced termination of support date for XP. For those of you who have also made that commitment, good for us all. I do have a Windows 7 laptop. I need that for supporting customers with W7. Otherwise, XP on my desktop is it!
I have yet to come to grips with what to do about my investment in a beautiful Apple MacBook Pro 17. It is truly a great machine, but you know, it just ain't XP.
This evening I downloaded another 9 important XP updates. Included among them was MSRT. I shall now run MRT and call it a day.
My good old desktop, running Windows XP SP3 is alive and well. I have committed to it as my main computer, so my laptop usage is limited to web browsing and web mail, whereas my desktop at home has my Outlook and other serious software applications.
I have decided that I see no reason why this machine, and XP on my other machines, should not be able to carry me through to 2014, the announced termination of support date for XP. For those of you who have also made that commitment, good for us all. I do have a Windows 7 laptop. I need that for supporting customers with W7. Otherwise, XP on my desktop is it!
I have yet to come to grips with what to do about my investment in a beautiful Apple MacBook Pro 17. It is truly a great machine, but you know, it just ain't XP.
This evening I downloaded another 9 important XP updates. Included among them was MSRT. I shall now run MRT and call it a day.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
PRIVACY: Remove your data from public directories
This comes to us from the Kim Komando web site, a site worth checking daily for tips.
"Whether you like it or not, your information is available publicly. And this information is freely available online. Marketers and advertisers have teams dedicated to finding this information. They use it so they can sell you thing you likely don’t want.
There are many online directories. Some of these compile listed phone numbers. Others might also include your address. And still others serve up more personal information as sales leads. They scour public records for your information.
Public information can include records from courts, real estate registrations and voter registration. It can also include hunting permits and marriage or driver's licenses.
However, online directories aren't out to get you. In fact, they typically offer a way to opt out of their listings. But you have to find the exit.
I've already done some searching for you. Here are the opt-out pages for a few major directory sites:
555-1212.com
www.555-1212.com
Look near the bottom of the list on this page. Click on Opt-out or Change Request Policy for further instructions.
Anywho
www.anywho.com
Remove your phone number online or by mail.
Acxiom.com
www.acxiom.com
You can opt out of both ad tracking and the online directory from this page. Opting out of the directory requires that you fill out and mail in a form.
Network Advertising Initiative
www.networkadvertising.org
This site lets you opt out of a long list of advertising databases and trackers. Simply select all the sites you wish to opt out from. Then click Submit.
Intelius
www.intelius.com
You must fax documents proving your identity to remove listings. Detailed instructions are in the section labeled, "How to Remove your Information."
US Search
www.ussearch.comYou'll have to mail in a form to turn on PrivacyLock and block your listing."
"Whether you like it or not, your information is available publicly. And this information is freely available online. Marketers and advertisers have teams dedicated to finding this information. They use it so they can sell you thing you likely don’t want.
There are many online directories. Some of these compile listed phone numbers. Others might also include your address. And still others serve up more personal information as sales leads. They scour public records for your information.
Public information can include records from courts, real estate registrations and voter registration. It can also include hunting permits and marriage or driver's licenses.
However, online directories aren't out to get you. In fact, they typically offer a way to opt out of their listings. But you have to find the exit.
I've already done some searching for you. Here are the opt-out pages for a few major directory sites:
555-1212.com
www.555-1212.com
Look near the bottom of the list on this page. Click on Opt-out or Change Request Policy for further instructions.
Anywho
www.anywho.com
Remove your phone number online or by mail.
Acxiom.com
www.acxiom.com
You can opt out of both ad tracking and the online directory from this page. Opting out of the directory requires that you fill out and mail in a form.
Network Advertising Initiative
www.networkadvertising.org
This site lets you opt out of a long list of advertising databases and trackers. Simply select all the sites you wish to opt out from. Then click Submit.
Intelius
www.intelius.com
You must fax documents proving your identity to remove listings. Detailed instructions are in the section labeled, "How to Remove your Information."
US Search
www.ussearch.comYou'll have to mail in a form to turn on PrivacyLock and block your listing."
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Blue screen of death and what it means
Today's blog post comes from the "Call That Girl" blog.
"So you get the “blue screen” or “blue screen of death”…what do you do now?
If you call someone, you may get this answer, “It’s your hard drive”
Or is it…???
I’ve troubleshooted many of these errors. Sometimes simple troubleshooting is all you need to do. Sometimes it’s a bad Windows update or a software glitch that caused the blue screen to happen. 2 calls this week in the shop proved that it was a Windows problem and we quickly resolved it by doing some magic in the shop, cost to the client? An easy $40 fix. Didn’t take much more than 30 minutes for us to repair it.
Here are a few tips for you to try yourself at home before bringing it into our shop.
If your computer turns on fine again, then test your USB plug-ins. (camera, webcam, printer, etc) If then all seems ok, go in and back up your information/data right away.
Again….if anything at this point fails, it could be a hard drive or a software issue. I don’t always think it’s a bad drive if it blue screens. Sometimes your computer just has a bump in the road and needs to be “reset”.
The troubleshooting tricks above often help figure out what may be causing the issue."
"So you get the “blue screen” or “blue screen of death”…what do you do now?
If you call someone, you may get this answer, “It’s your hard drive”
Or is it…???
I’ve troubleshooted many of these errors. Sometimes simple troubleshooting is all you need to do. Sometimes it’s a bad Windows update or a software glitch that caused the blue screen to happen. 2 calls this week in the shop proved that it was a Windows problem and we quickly resolved it by doing some magic in the shop, cost to the client? An easy $40 fix. Didn’t take much more than 30 minutes for us to repair it.
Here are a few tips for you to try yourself at home before bringing it into our shop.
- Start by turning off your computer
- Then unplug all your cords including monitor
- Let the computer sit for 20 minutes
- After 20 minutes, only plug in the power for the computer and monitor and turn it back on
- If it turns on and goes to the Windows start up screen, you may have a bad keyboard, mouse or USB external port issue
- Once it comes back on, if all seems ok…turn it back off
- Plug back in the keyboard and mouse. Turn it on again
If your computer turns on fine again, then test your USB plug-ins. (camera, webcam, printer, etc) If then all seems ok, go in and back up your information/data right away.
Again….if anything at this point fails, it could be a hard drive or a software issue. I don’t always think it’s a bad drive if it blue screens. Sometimes your computer just has a bump in the road and needs to be “reset”.
The troubleshooting tricks above often help figure out what may be causing the issue."
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Spam Scam
Wow, look at this e-mail I found in my Inbox this morning. It got through Google's spam filter and Outlook's junk mail filters. It sure looks simple, to the point, and legitimate, but NEVER EVER reply to something like this. No company will EVER ask you to send this level of information, nor would they ask it of you over the phone.
NEVER SHARE YOUR ACCOUNT INFORMATION WITH ANYONE!
"From: Amazon.com [mailto:amazone@live.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2011 12:18 AM
Subject: Amazon Alert
Sent: Thursday, January 27, 2011 12:18 AM
Subject: Amazon Alert
Dear Amazon Customer,
Kindly note that we are carrying out a routine check up on
all our account holders. This process is vital. For your account to be verified,
Kindly reply to this email by providing your Account Email, Account password,
Account Debit/Credit Card details and Card Security number (cvv).
Tracy Colemann
Customer Care Manager"
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Kaspersky: Fake Antivirus Scareware on the Rise
From Maximum PC:
"Fake antivirus software masquerading around as the real deal is quickly becoming one of the oldest (and most used) tricks in the malware manual, and for good reason. It's easy to dupe less savvy computer users, especially as these bogus programs have become adept at looking the part. The latest one making the rounds is a false AV scanner called Antivirus 8.
"Over the last few days, we received numerous reports of computers infected with fake antivirus (scareware)," Roel Schouwenberg, senior antivirus research for Kaspersky, wrote in a blog post. "The name of this particular culprit is Antivirus 8."
According to Schouwenberg, fake pop-ups related to the bogus application were appearing on users' systems while not actively using their PC. Instead, they were running as soon as ICQ began fetching/displaying new ads. As Schouwenberg explains it, malware writers went through the trouble of setting up servers that appear to be related to actual retail products, so to outsiders (like Kaspersky) looking in, it appears the 'store' was simply the victim of an attack and the dirty ads keep rolling.
"By making it look like their server got compromised, the criminals can claim it isn't them who's responsible for distributing the malware," Schouwenberg explains. "But rather someone else who hacked their server to spread malware. The ad distributor is very likely to simply give them a warning, which gives these criminals at least one more shot at infecting more machines."
How it works isn't really important here, as none of this is going to matter to inexperienced users in the first place. Instead, now might be a good time to remind family and friends -- the ones who seem to ring your number every couple weeks with a new computer problem -- not to fall for fake AV scams.
"
"Fake antivirus software masquerading around as the real deal is quickly becoming one of the oldest (and most used) tricks in the malware manual, and for good reason. It's easy to dupe less savvy computer users, especially as these bogus programs have become adept at looking the part. The latest one making the rounds is a false AV scanner called Antivirus 8.
"Over the last few days, we received numerous reports of computers infected with fake antivirus (scareware)," Roel Schouwenberg, senior antivirus research for Kaspersky, wrote in a blog post. "The name of this particular culprit is Antivirus 8."
According to Schouwenberg, fake pop-ups related to the bogus application were appearing on users' systems while not actively using their PC. Instead, they were running as soon as ICQ began fetching/displaying new ads. As Schouwenberg explains it, malware writers went through the trouble of setting up servers that appear to be related to actual retail products, so to outsiders (like Kaspersky) looking in, it appears the 'store' was simply the victim of an attack and the dirty ads keep rolling.
"By making it look like their server got compromised, the criminals can claim it isn't them who's responsible for distributing the malware," Schouwenberg explains. "But rather someone else who hacked their server to spread malware. The ad distributor is very likely to simply give them a warning, which gives these criminals at least one more shot at infecting more machines."
How it works isn't really important here, as none of this is going to matter to inexperienced users in the first place. Instead, now might be a good time to remind family and friends -- the ones who seem to ring your number every couple weeks with a new computer problem -- not to fall for fake AV scams.
"Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Are AOL Subscribers Dense?
Okay, that post title is not mine, even though many of you know that I have nagged enough of you about this. How or why anyone could still be paying AOL the monthly subscription rate is beyond me. Okay, I do realize that there are still some of you who are dial-up and maybe have no other option (still hard to believe), but read the dollar figures and look at the percentages in this Maximum PC article posted at their site today. I also don't understand why anyone would use AOL at all, subscription or not, but that's just me.
"First and foremost, you might be surprised to learn that people still subscribe to AOL, the once popular ISP that fell from relevance about the time broadband came into its own. But get this -- according to The New Yorker, some 80 percent of AOL profits still come from its subscription business. It gets even better.
The New Yorker describes these subscribers as "older people who have cable or DSL service but don't realize that they need not pay an additional $25 a month to get online and check their email."
We're not talking about a small fraction of users, either. BusinessInsider said it spoke with a former AOL exec who said that AOL's "dirty little secret" is "that 75 percent of the people subscribe to AOL's dial-up service don't need it." When you consider that AOL raked in $244 million from 4 million customers in the third quarter of 2010, you can see where this could be troubling."
"First and foremost, you might be surprised to learn that people still subscribe to AOL, the once popular ISP that fell from relevance about the time broadband came into its own. But get this -- according to The New Yorker, some 80 percent of AOL profits still come from its subscription business. It gets even better.
The New Yorker describes these subscribers as "older people who have cable or DSL service but don't realize that they need not pay an additional $25 a month to get online and check their email."
We're not talking about a small fraction of users, either. BusinessInsider said it spoke with a former AOL exec who said that AOL's "dirty little secret" is "that 75 percent of the people subscribe to AOL's dial-up service don't need it." When you consider that AOL raked in $244 million from 4 million customers in the third quarter of 2010, you can see where this could be troubling."
Friday, January 21, 2011
Reposting: Recommended Security Baseline
From time to time I have and will 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 based on many years of experience.
1. Microsoft Security Essentials - Version 2 now available
2. Windows Firewall
3. MVPS HOSTS File - download the January 2011 version
4. CCleaner - check for newer version than you may already have
5. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
6. SuperAntiSpyware Free Edition
7. Spybot Search & Destroy
Questions? Comment below or write me, pcdoc at brpcdoc dot com
Have a wonderful weekend!
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 based on many years of experience.
1. Microsoft Security Essentials - Version 2 now available
2. Windows Firewall
3. MVPS HOSTS File - download the January 2011 version
4. CCleaner - check for newer version than you may already have
5. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
6. SuperAntiSpyware Free Edition
7. Spybot Search & Destroy
Questions? Comment below or write me, pcdoc at brpcdoc dot com
Have a wonderful weekend!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Worldstart.com
I'm not sure how I first stumbled upon this web site,WorldStart, but I have to say I have come to like it very much. I have been visiting it every day for a month or two. At first I wasn't too impressed, but then all of a sudden it seemed to change and offer what I view as smart, practical small tips that just might help you.
I usually just look at the 5 tips that are right there front and center on the home page. Many are quite simple, but I have found a few that really amazed me. I recommend a bookmark for this web site. Visit it occasionally or daily or more. You may just find a tip that can really help you. By the way, I have not bought anything form this web site, and I have not created an account, so don't feel you need to do those things. Also, their search window will search their archives for tips relevant to your search argument.
After looking at the tips, scroll down and take a gander at all of the links offered for other ideas. WorldStart.com is a neat, handy, and valuable bookmark to have on your system.
I usually just look at the 5 tips that are right there front and center on the home page. Many are quite simple, but I have found a few that really amazed me. I recommend a bookmark for this web site. Visit it occasionally or daily or more. You may just find a tip that can really help you. By the way, I have not bought anything form this web site, and I have not created an account, so don't feel you need to do those things. Also, their search window will search their archives for tips relevant to your search argument.
After looking at the tips, scroll down and take a gander at all of the links offered for other ideas. WorldStart.com is a neat, handy, and valuable bookmark to have on your system.
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