10 Excellent Tech Gifts for Your Dad or Grad

From our friends at PCWorld.com.

10 Excellent Tech Gifts for Your Dad or Grad

IT pros prefer old XP over new Windows 7

This article is from ComputerWorld.com. All I can say is AMEN!

IT Pros prefer old XP over new Windows 7

Review: Apple’s 15-in. MacBook Pro now faster — and cheaper

I want a MacBook so bad I can taste it! However, until Apple's prices drop another 50% I just don't see affording one. The big price drop they speak of in this Computerworld.com title reduces the price DOWN to ONLY $1699!!! You can see where I am coming from. The most I have paid for a laptop in the last few years is around $800, so Apple has a long way to go. I am afraid I will keep on plugging along with my Windows XP machines. At least I am comfortable and familiar with them and XP, and I know if I want to, I can make Windows XP last as long as I will ever need to. Anyway, here is the big Apple announcement, as found at Computerworld.com:

Review: Apple's 15-in. MacBook Pro now faster -- and cheaper

IE 8 causes big problems on some PCs

This comes from Windows Secrets (http://www.windowssecrets.com/). Those of you who know me or who have read this blog know that I have always recommended that you stay away from Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE), using it only when absolutely necessary.

I am afraid that IE8 has now been downloaded to some of you through Automatic Update. If you have been following here over time, you know that you can override the installation of any MS update, as I just did when I found it downloaded and ready for installation on one of my laptops.

If you have not yet seen IE8 headed your way, be on the lookout and block its installation. There is no need to rush into it at this time. Give it some time and wait until MS makes it ready for prime time.

In the meantime, I recommend and use Mozilla's Firefox as my browser of choice. If  you don't yet use Firefox, you can get it here. It is, as always, FREE.

IE 8 causes big problems on some PCs

By Dennis O'Reilly

The new version 8 of Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser has some features that version 7 doesn't.

But that's no guarantee that upgrading to IE 8 will go smoothly on your PC.

The perils of software updates were brought home to computer-repair business owner Bob Millard as he attempted to heal the XP systems of three clients who had recently moved from IE 7 to IE 8:

• "I have a computer repair business. In the last two weeks, I've had to fix three XP laptops after the installation of IE 8 made them inoperable. In each case, after the update, the desktop on each of these computers was blank except for the desktop wallpaper.
  
  "It didn't matter whether you started the system in normal or safe mode, all desktop items — including the taskbar — were missing. The only way I could get them back was by using one of my bootable utilities that would allow me access to the restore points. On two of these laptops, restoring back a few days corrected the problem.
  
  "On one of them, even though I got all the desktop functions restored, I didn't have Internet access or any access to USB devices. I tried to remove IE 7 (IE 8 was gone after the restore) but there was no remove/uninstall option in the Add/Remove Programs window.
  
  "I was able to use a remove-IE7 utility that I have [IE7 EasyRemove, available at the Drive Headquarters site] to get back to IE 6, and now the system is working again.
  
  "Bottom line: There are big issues in Internet Explorer 8 land."
  

Bob told me that he subsequently reinstalled IE 7 on two of the laptops and everything worked as expected. However, the third still lacked USB access and had other problems with IE 7 installed, so Bob left IE 6 on that machine — at least until he could find the required fix.

Despite the potential pitfalls, I recommend that if you must use Internet Explorer, install the latest version that won't trash your system. If IE 8 crashes and burns, revert to IE 7. If IE 7 brings you grief, roll back to IE 6 — but only long enough to get things working again. Old versions of IE are too insecure for today's scary Web.

Microsoft sets Windows 7 launch for Oct. 22

Here we go again. Microsoft is making it clear that they want our Christmas Season business and they won't let Vista stand in the way. It seems to me that this has been rushed, and I hope I am not one who MUST buy a new machime in the early days of Windows 7.

This article is from Computerworld, but the story was covered everywhere yesterday.

Microsoft sets Windows 7 launch for Oct. 22

A rocket powered computer

The following is from the Kim Komando web site, http://www.komando.com

6/3/2009


Tom wrote from Larned, KS. He reported that he needs a new computer. It should boot fast, load programs fast, compile video fast. In other words, he feels the need for speed!

Tom, you and I think alike. I can't stand to wait for a computer. I want Word to open NOW. I want my browser to load YESTERDAY. I want to see Windows shuckin' and cookin'.

So, there are some obvious things you need. Make sure you have a first-rate chip. The absolute best is usually too costly. It's OK to come down a step or two. Intel's absolute best for consumers is its Extreme line. I'd skip that. You need a regular Core 2 Quad. The best AMD chip is the Phenom. Get the triple core, rather than the quad. Very few programs can use more than one core.

Be sure your new motherboard can handle 64-bit computing. If the salesman seems uninformed, check the computer manufacturer's Web site. And be sure that the Windows version is 64-bit. To confirm that, click Start>>Control Panel. Double-click System. Look in the System section.

You can install gobs of memory. I wouldn't go overboard. Four gigabytes should be enough. Be sure the computer can take that much. The manufacturer's site can help with this, too.

You're probably not going to see a consumer box with a solid-state drive. Such a drive could very well be faster than a conventional drive. But solid state drives are expensive and small. I'd go for a serial ATA drive with at least 500-gigabyte capacity. Terabyte drives also are available. I've seen them advertised at less than $100 online. Buy a drive that runs at 7200 rpm.

Finally, I'd pop for a 512MB video card. And I'd use two monitors. Windows handles dual monitors with aplomb.

You may be tempted to use a RAID (Redundant Array of Independent (or Inexpensive) Disks) setup. Level 0 (striping) is supposed to speed up the computer. That hasn't been my experience. I think RAID setups just introduce complexity. Don't go there.

You're all set, Tom. Don't get a speeding ticket!

Review: 2 USB devices offer easy remote access

The article referenced is from Computerworld. This is quite amazing and, I would think, something that will be very popular with business people who travel. It might also be useful to me as the PC Doc, but that remains to be seen. Since many people turn off their home PCs while away, it probably won't be too useful to them unless they change their ways and leave the PC powered on.

Review: 2 USB devices offer easy remote access

SuperAntispyware

Those of you who follow this blog know that I have been recommending SuperAntispyware for quite some time now, since actually, the day one of you told me about it (thanks John!)! It is now an integral part of my security toolkit.

I ran across this article on WindowsSecrets.com, and thought I'd pass it on. I was surprised to see that these techies only found this program now, but at least they did like it.

Free antispyware tool has a bombastic name

I've received many reader recommendations for an antispyware tool I'd never heard of before: SUPERAntiSpyware.

With a name like that, I assumed that the program had to be bogus. But it is, in fact, a legitimate antispyware program, despite the exuberant name.

As with many security programs, there's a version of SUPERAntiSpyware that's free for personal use and a "pro" version (U.S. $29.95) that adds a few functions. As I've said many times before, I'm a big fan of free tools that I can install on the PCs of friends and family for them to use after I leave.

SUPERAntiSpyware claims to run on all versions of Windows since 98, but it requires 256MB of RAM. That's a common amount of system memory for an XP machine but is probably more than you'll find on typical Windows 98–era hardware.

The program uses a traditional full installer and asks to download updates at install time. Immediately after installation, the app recommends that you scan your system for spyware. The program's quick scan took just a couple of minutes when I ran it on the small Windows XP VM that I use for testing.

I've installed a handful of random malware samples into an inactive directory on this test VM. SUPERAntiSpyware identified one of the malware files as well as the usual "spyware" browser cookies. The utility's performance was adequate and the VM remained responsive during the scan. The process required about 80MB of RAM while actively scanning.

I didn't have a real spyware infection to throw at the program, but in my very limited testing, SUPERAntiSpyware performed well. Based on my test results and the number of readers who recommend the program, I'm definitely going to put it into my toolbox. You can download a copy of SUPERAntiSpyware from the vendor's site.

Spybot

As much as I try to put Spybot on the back burner and not use it anymore, I still find it is needed. I was working on a customer's machine and ran Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and SuperAntispyware.  This machine had many problems. After deleting all of the things they found, I ran Spybot, and it found an additional 70 problems, which it then fixed. Some of these 70 were pretty serious, and this exercise just goes to show that different people in diferent countries bring their own experiences to the table and see things differently, to which I say Amen and Thank You!

Spybot is still a valuable and necessary component of my security suite.

IE8 & Google’s Chrome 2.0: First Impressions

These are two unrelated topics in one.

First, re. IE8 I recommend taking a wait and see attitude. There is no reason to rush into this. Most will probably get it accidentally one day through Microsoft Updates. That's the way most people got to IE7, which IMHO is nothing to write home about.

The second topic within this topic is Google's continuing attempt to popularize their own browser, Chrome. I tried an early version and uninstalled it after a couple of days. I imagine that one day, but not soon, Google, with its awesome technical savvy, will get Chrome to the point where it will serve nicely as an IE or Firefox replacement, but as above with IE8, there is no reason to rush and make any commitment to Chrome. There is no harm, however, in trying it. It's an easy download and install, and it's easy to uninstall as well, if/when you decide that's what you want to do.

The author of this article on pcworld.com has some comments about Chrome.

Google's Chrome 2.0: First Impressions

As for me, I'll take a wait and see position on this one as well as on IE8.

HP laptop batteries recalled for overheating

It might be worth reading this cnet.com article if you are an HP or Compaq laptop owner.

HP laptop batteries recalled for overheating

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

Microsoft has a new and free tool you can download, install, and run on your PC. The program will scan your system and let you know if your machine is capable of running the new Microsoft operating system known now as Windows 7.

Since I have already downloaded a copy of Windows 7 to test, I thought I'd download the Upgrade Advidor and check out some of my systems.  I ran it first on my primary machine, an IBM desktop that is about 5 years old, I think.

My results were not encouraging as you can see below.



Hmmm.. I guess I won't be testing Windows 7 on this machine! If you would like to download the Upgrade Advisor, you can download it here:

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

Microsoft: Windows 7 Available in Time for Holidays

This really makes it tough on those of you who are planning a new PC purchase between now and the end of the year. All you can buy now is Vista, and who wants that? I'm guessing that we will someday see a "buy a Vista machine now and we will give you a free upgrade to Windows 7 when it becomes available" marketing campaign.

I found this on Computerworld.com but it appears it was originally on idg.net.

May 11, 2009 (IDG News Service) Microsoft Corp. will make Windows 7 available to businesses and consumers in time for the busy holiday shopping season in the fourth quarter of the year, according to company officials.

Windows Server 2008 R2, the server companion to the client operating system, also will be available at the same time. Microsoft unveiled the information to journalists just ahead of its keynote at its annual conference, which kicks off today in Los Angeles. Microsoft also said it plans to release a technical preview of the next version of its other key software product, Office 2010, in July to all attendees of the conference.

Ward Ralston, a Microsoft group product manager, said not to think of the release as having anything to do with Microsoft's internal product schedule for Office 2010, the release date of which has not been revealed.

Instead, the preview is "a build we feel has enough quality in it so customers can be successful evaluating the product and giving us feedback," he said.

Microsoft made available the first release candidate of Windows 7 about two weeks ago, signaling that the company is close to a final release. So far the buzz on the operating system has been generally positive.

Windows 7 is an important release for Microsoft as it follows the disappointing Windows Vista, which Microsoft took more than five years to develop and generally did not live up to its promise.

Outsource your own job?

This takes outsourcing to a whole new level! Hmmm, I wonder if it could really work?

Outsource your job

Windows 7 RC1

I have downloaded and burned to DVD the just-released Windows 7 Release Candidate 1. All I need now is to find an old laptop (I'm sure I have enough parts to put together to get one up and running) which will support it. I am not in a hurry to do this, but will report back on my experience when I do.

FYI, this is the test version of the operating system destined to replace Windows Vista. The download is free, comes with its own key, and is good through June of 2010. After that date my copy will expire and I would have to pay for it, presumably at the going retail rate.

HOSTS File Updates

If you are one of those who followed my sequence of posts below to get and install the HOSTS file, you may also have signed up for e-mail notification of updates, but the author has had to discontinue that update notification service.

Instead, go to his site once a month or so and manually download the latest version.

Check here

Muddying the water?

Looks like Microsoft could make its Vista successor, aka Windows 7, available as soon as August. There seems to be a rush to do this, I'm guessing because Vista has been such a huge failure that Microsoft wants to take it off the table and leave it behind as soon as they can.

Much more on this as information becomes available.................

Windows 7 could launch as early as August

20 Years of AOL Annoyances and Foul-Ups

I just don't know why anyone would still be using AOL. Perhaps if you are still a dial-up user and can save money with AOL, that would be a good reason. Otherwise why? I recommend getting yourself a Google Mail account (free) and then, to ease the transition, use Outlook Express, Outlook, or Thunderbird to process your e-mail. Outlook Express and Thunderbird are free. Outlook is a part of Microsoft Office (certain versions), and tends to be something a person has by virtue of having bought Office for other reasons. In this sense, Outlook might be considered free. I fall into this latter category.

I use a Google Mail address as my primary e-mail address, and use Outlook as my mail client. All of my mail, incoming AND outgoing, is processed by Google and remains on Google's host servers, so at any time I can look at it all from any computer in the world simply by using web mail.

Anyway, for those of you who just love your AOL and must have it, you may enjoy this stroll down memory lane provided courtesy of pcworld.com. Most users of AOL tend to be long-term sufferers users, and may remember much of the AOL story.

20 Years of AOL Annoyances and Foul-Ups

Get yourself a GMAIL (Google Mail) Account Here

Eight Reasons Your Next Computer Should Be a PC

Fair and balanced!

This article, again from pcworld.com, presents the other side of the story. Compare to yesterday's post.

Eight Reasons Your Next Computer Should Be a PC

Eight Reasons Your Next Computer Should Be a Mac

For all of those of you who, like me, would love to own a Mac, [or even an iPhone (also like me)], this will be of interest. It comes from pcworld.com.

Eight Reasons Your Next Computer Should Be a Mac