I am eminently unqualified to even comment on Windows 8, so I am happy to post another item from the Call That Girl Blog that covers the topic of Windows 8. It's early yet, but those of you who are buying a new computer this summer are being given coupons that will allow you to obtain a copy of Windows 8 for $14.99 or some low price like that when it becomes generally available. Before you jump into something new, I urge you to read the latest here or elsewhere on Windows 8.
Here is how the post starts:
"For those of you that are just now finally getting out of Windows Vista
and moving to Windows 7, you are probably very happy consumers. Windows
Vista (the operating system that was a problem for many folks) is done
with, finished..over! We are all happy! Right? Well, you could see
Vista’s annoying little brother coming up soon, aka…Windows 8. The
technical people in my circles have all been doing previews and giving
Windows 8 only bad reviews. What they are saying is that the “next”
version after Windows 8 will be the best, like Windows 7 (ok, what year?
2013? haha!)"
Friday, August 24, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Why you should wait for the iPad Mini
Interesting. From cnet.com.
"Amazon and Google have opened the market to a whole new class of tablet customer with their 7-inch tablets priced affordably at $200. But the attractive price tag is only one reason to like these mini-tablets.
In this edition of Ask Maggie, I explain why I like smaller tablets
and why I think readers interested in buying a tablet should wait to see
if Apple also introduces a tiny, affordable
iPad.
I also explain the ins and outs of buying a new iPhone directly from Apple or from your wireless carrier."
"Amazon and Google have opened the market to a whole new class of tablet customer with their 7-inch tablets priced affordably at $200. But the attractive price tag is only one reason to like these mini-tablets.
I also explain the ins and outs of buying a new iPhone directly from Apple or from your wireless carrier."
Saturday, August 18, 2012
August MVPS HOSTS file available today
Hope you are doing this every month!
Download: hosts.zip (144 kb)
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.zip
Download: hosts.zip (144 kb)
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.zip
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Windows 8 Release to Manufacturing review
So here it comes - the future as Microsoft sees it. Everything looks good but the learning curve! This is from cnet.com.
"The good: Windows 8 embraces the future wholeheartedly. Log-in and boot times are fast, the apps look gorgeous, and the Sync feature brings seamless transition between devices.
"The good: Windows 8 embraces the future wholeheartedly. Log-in and boot times are fast, the apps look gorgeous, and the Sync feature brings seamless transition between devices.
The bad: The learning curve is steep and in-app navigation isn't obvious. There are just too many known unknowns here.
The bottom line: Microsoft
makes an aggressive, forward-thinking and bold statement statement for
the future of PCs with Windows 8, and vast security and speed
improvements more than justify the $40 upgrade price."
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Browser Wars: Chrome vs. IE9 vs. Firefox
I usually look forward to this kind of annual review, but this time I don't see much new. I post this for those of you who may have trouble deciding which to make your default browser. I still do not like IE9 and I still do not like Chrome because they, for whatever crazy reason, will not include a left sidebar for bookmarks.This review is from PCMAG.com.
Browser Wars: Chrome vs. IE9 vs. Firefox
Thursday, August 9, 2012
7 hidden costs of a new computer
This is good! It comes from Call That Girl Blog.
Let’s say you bought your computer a few years ago and it’s not playing nice right now. So many things are going wrong that you decide it’s not worth fixing and just buy new. For some people, it’s an easy choice. Pay $150 or more to try to fix the old clunker or invest a few hundred bucks and get a brand spanking new computer! Seems like a logical choice? New is just a few bucks more so why not? For the average home user, all they need to do is just plug it in and go. Or not? Not so much lately. With all the technology advances, getting a new computer can cost you a few bucks if you need us to help you after new software purchases. Here is a list I have outlined. I have started with home users, but most businesses will need all of the items in the list done. Our costs are listed in parenthesis. Of course, when we help you we just knock out each issue and it’s billed per hour. The average new computer set up is approximately 2 hours for a home user at $198 or a business at $297.
Home users
Let’s say you bought your computer a few years ago and it’s not playing nice right now. So many things are going wrong that you decide it’s not worth fixing and just buy new. For some people, it’s an easy choice. Pay $150 or more to try to fix the old clunker or invest a few hundred bucks and get a brand spanking new computer! Seems like a logical choice? New is just a few bucks more so why not? For the average home user, all they need to do is just plug it in and go. Or not? Not so much lately. With all the technology advances, getting a new computer can cost you a few bucks if you need us to help you after new software purchases. Here is a list I have outlined. I have started with home users, but most businesses will need all of the items in the list done. Our costs are listed in parenthesis. Of course, when we help you we just knock out each issue and it’s billed per hour. The average new computer set up is approximately 2 hours for a home user at $198 or a business at $297.
Home users
- Printers, if your old one is so old…the regular software may not work on a new Windows 7 computer. You may need to buy a new printer or have us help find the right software for you ($39 to $79)
- Itunes (special help with getting your iPhone/iPod set up $39-79)
- Transferring your data (documents, music, internet favorites and pictures) from old to new computer ($39-$59)
- Antivirus. If you already are paying a service from a Big Box company, you should be able to call them and get it reinstalled on your new computer. You may need to buy a new license.
- Software for word, spreadsheets, etc. Find those old installations disks!
- Replacing any software that you “borrowed” from a friend, usually cannot be replaced at this point. You will need to borrow that CD again to install it and it may not be compatable. You may need to buy a version that works with Windows. Many old software programs just do not work at all with newer computers.
- Getting your computer on the network and sharing with other computers in the home/office
- Quickbooks/Peachtree/ACT set up
- Outlook PST file set up and email configuration
- Online back up solutions or external hard drive computer back up configuration
- File sharing solutions (such as Dropbox)
- Smartphone synchronizing wth Outlook and computer
Monday, July 16, 2012
Symantec antivirus software update crashes some PCs
"A recent update to Symantec's antivirus software rendered some
Windows-based PCs inoperable, the security software maker disclosed
Friday.
An update earlier this week to Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1 antivirus software for businesses caused some Windows XP-based computers to crash repeatedly with a "blue screen of death," the company revealed on its Web site.
"On July 11th, 2012 Symantec Security Response started receiving reports of customers experiencing blue screens after applying the July 11th revision 18 definitions," Orla Cox, of Symantec Security Response, wrote in the post. "Machines may continue to blue screen after they reboot. This problem only appears to occur on Windows XP machines.""
An update earlier this week to Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1 antivirus software for businesses caused some Windows XP-based computers to crash repeatedly with a "blue screen of death," the company revealed on its Web site.
"On July 11th, 2012 Symantec Security Response started receiving reports of customers experiencing blue screens after applying the July 11th revision 18 definitions," Orla Cox, of Symantec Security Response, wrote in the post. "Machines may continue to blue screen after they reboot. This problem only appears to occur on Windows XP machines.""
Friday, July 6, 2012
Will your internet work on Monday? Take the test to find out if you have malware
The following text has been copied from the Call That Girl blog.
"Although the FBI has been urging consumers for months to check if their systems have been affected by DNSChanger, about 275,000 computers are still at risk of not having Internet access on Monday, July 9.
The good news is that it’s easy to see if your system has been infected and fix it if needed. The DNS Changer Working Group (DCWG) launched a check tool (Click on the link below to test your internet)
http://www.dns-ok.us/
— if you click on the link and the box is green, your computer is clean (If the box is red, your Internet will be dead)."
"Although the FBI has been urging consumers for months to check if their systems have been affected by DNSChanger, about 275,000 computers are still at risk of not having Internet access on Monday, July 9.
The good news is that it’s easy to see if your system has been infected and fix it if needed. The DNS Changer Working Group (DCWG) launched a check tool (Click on the link below to test your internet)
http://www.dns-ok.us/
— if you click on the link and the box is green, your computer is clean (If the box is red, your Internet will be dead)."
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
New MVPS HOSTS File Available
MVPS HOSTS File Update July-03-2012
The MVPS HOSTS file was recently updated [July-03-2012]
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm
Download: hosts.zip (145 kb)
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.zip
How To: Download and Extract the HOSTS filehttp://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts2.htm
HOSTS File - Frequently Asked Questionshttp://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hostsfaq.htm
Note: the "text" version makes a great resource for determining possible unwanted connections ...
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.txt (588 kb)
Get notified when the MVPS HOSTS file is updatedhttp://winhelp2002.mvps.org/updates.htm
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Fraud Ring In Hacking Attack On 60 Banks
All I can say is I m glad I am not a high-roller!
"The fraudsters' objective in these attacks is to siphon large amounts from high balance accounts, hence the name chosen for this research - Operation High Roller," the report said.
"If all of the attempted fraud campaigns were as successful as the Netherlands example we describe in this report, the total attempted fraud could be as high as 2bn euro (£1.6bn).""
"Sixty million euro has been stolen from bank accounts
in a massive cyber bank raid after fraudsters raided dozens of financial
institutions around the world.
According to a joint report by software security firm McAfee and
Guardian Analytics, more than 60 firms have suffered from what it has
called an "insider level of understanding"."The fraudsters' objective in these attacks is to siphon large amounts from high balance accounts, hence the name chosen for this research - Operation High Roller," the report said.
"If all of the attempted fraud campaigns were as successful as the Netherlands example we describe in this report, the total attempted fraud could be as high as 2bn euro (£1.6bn).""
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Microsoft Surface tablet hands-on
Microsoft’s mystery event is finally over and considering the flurry of leaks that piled up ahead of this evening’s press conference, we can’t say were entirely surprised by the announcement of the company’s first own-brand tablet. BGR was on hand reporting live as Microsoft took the wraps off the Surface tablet, a 9.3 millimeter-thick magnesium slate intended to set the stage for Windows 8 and Windows RT. We managed to fight our way through the crowd for a quick hands-on look, and Microsoft’s new tablet shows some serious promise. Hit the jump for more and be sure to check out our hands-on photo gallery linked below.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
MSRT for June 2012 available now
This is a repost of last month's MSRT availability.
Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) became available with this week's Microsoft Automatic Updates. If you received this week's updates and installed them all you have MSRT. Microsoft updates this tool every month, and we have all just installed the May version.
I encourage you all to do as I do. Once installed, run a full scan on your computer. It'll take a while, but I view this as free insurance. The MSRT tool has never found a problem on any of my machines, and I am glad of that!
Be sure you have installed this week's updates and then do the following: Click on START then RUN and then key in MRT and click on OK. On the second screen click on FULL SCAN and let it run.
Note: in the above paragraph, MRT is not a typo. I don't know why Microsoft didn't set this up so we would run MSRT, but they chose to name the program simply MRT!
Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) became available with this week's Microsoft Automatic Updates. If you received this week's updates and installed them all you have MSRT. Microsoft updates this tool every month, and we have all just installed the May version.
I encourage you all to do as I do. Once installed, run a full scan on your computer. It'll take a while, but I view this as free insurance. The MSRT tool has never found a problem on any of my machines, and I am glad of that!
Be sure you have installed this week's updates and then do the following: Click on START then RUN and then key in MRT and click on OK. On the second screen click on FULL SCAN and let it run.
Note: in the above paragraph, MRT is not a typo. I don't know why Microsoft didn't set this up so we would run MSRT, but they chose to name the program simply MRT!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Time Out
Summer, and I realize it is not even here yet, has already gotten the best of me. I need some time off. I am not sure how long. I hope you understand.
I will, from time to time, post items of general interest here.
Tom
I will, from time to time, post items of general interest here.
Tom
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Seniors connecting with Internet technology
Hooray for us! And Seniors don't forget if you need help you can get it right here from your PC Doc, whether an in-house call or over the internet, the chances are pretty good I can help you out.
This article comes from the Washington Times.
"It’s the ultimate challenge in Internet dating - getting senior citizens hooked up with the Web. Connected Living is one company trying to teach seniors, many with limited Internet experience, how to log on, use social media and connect to families and the outside world.
The Massachusetts-based firm is going into senior group homes across the country to teach residents how to surf the Internet, send emails, share photos and videos, and play games online.
These basic computer tasks - second nature for many who have grown up with smartphones - can be life-altering for senior citizens who have never used a mouse or even logged on to a computer."
This article comes from the Washington Times.
"It’s the ultimate challenge in Internet dating - getting senior citizens hooked up with the Web. Connected Living is one company trying to teach seniors, many with limited Internet experience, how to log on, use social media and connect to families and the outside world.
The Massachusetts-based firm is going into senior group homes across the country to teach residents how to surf the Internet, send emails, share photos and videos, and play games online.
These basic computer tasks - second nature for many who have grown up with smartphones - can be life-altering for senior citizens who have never used a mouse or even logged on to a computer."
Monday, June 4, 2012
Scams on Craigslist
If you ever get to selling an item on Craigslist, be very careful.
Craigslist will always warn you of the dangers with something like this:
The part about dealing locally is quite important. I finally sold my MacBook to a buyer in my home town. However, prior to that I had at lease 10 inquiries from THIEVES (scammers), all of whom wanted me to ship the MacBook and after that I would get my money. Each and every one of them wanted me to ship the machine to Nigeria. These two items: ship before being paid, and ship the item to Nigeria are two very definite indications that you are dealing with a THIEF!
In addition, note in my final note to a scammer and his/her final note to me, his/her grammar leaves a lot to be desired. I am sure that over time their English will improve, but there are just so many telltale signs that this person is a crook.
I marked their e-mail inquiries as scams to Craigslist and also wrote to spoof@paypal.com. PayPal is the phony method the "buyer" says they want used for them to pay you.
Don't you just love the last sentence of the thief's note: "Thank you and God Bless."
My last note to the thief after receiving the one in red below:
"This note of yours and all the others you have sent have been forwarded to spoof@paypal.com. I hope they can put a stop to you and your ilk.
Tom"
"On Thu, May 17, 2012 at 2:21 PM, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Hey ..I am not happy at all to hear all this from you..because i have
already told you that the item is urgently needed and i told my son
that the item will get to him soon...you are telling me another story
now.I think i have to inform FBI and my lawyer about the and they will
also need to inform the police...And you will get arrested for
scamming people online the internet..So i will wait to hear back from
you with the tracking number of your shipment as soon as you get the item ship out but if you don't...i think u will need to go to jail because you are trying to scam me.i have paid for the item and the money has been deducted from my account..I will stay on my computer to read back from you..Thank you and God Bless..."
I never heard another word!
Craigslist will always warn you of the dangers with something like this:
** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY --- AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/The part about dealing locally is quite important. I finally sold my MacBook to a buyer in my home town. However, prior to that I had at lease 10 inquiries from THIEVES (scammers), all of whom wanted me to ship the MacBook and after that I would get my money. Each and every one of them wanted me to ship the machine to Nigeria. These two items: ship before being paid, and ship the item to Nigeria are two very definite indications that you are dealing with a THIEF!
In addition, note in my final note to a scammer and his/her final note to me, his/her grammar leaves a lot to be desired. I am sure that over time their English will improve, but there are just so many telltale signs that this person is a crook.
I marked their e-mail inquiries as scams to Craigslist and also wrote to spoof@paypal.com. PayPal is the phony method the "buyer" says they want used for them to pay you.
Don't you just love the last sentence of the thief's note: "Thank you and God Bless."
My last note to the thief after receiving the one in red below:
"This note of yours and all the others you have sent have been forwarded to spoof@paypal.com. I hope they can put a stop to you and your ilk.
Tom"
"On Thu, May 17, 2012 at 2:21 PM, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Hey ..I am not happy at all to hear all this from you..because i have
already told you that the item is urgently needed and i told my son
that the item will get to him soon...you are telling me another story
now.I think i have to inform FBI and my lawyer about the and they will
also need to inform the police...And you will get arrested for
scamming people online the internet..So i will wait to hear back from
you with the tracking number of your shipment as soon as you get the item ship out but if you don't...i think u will need to go to jail because you are trying to scam me.i have paid for the item and the money has been deducted from my account..I will stay on my computer to read back from you..Thank you and God Bless..."
I never heard another word!
Friday, June 1, 2012
MacBook Pro Sold
I have sold my MacBook Pro 17", a beautiful and powerful machine. I bought it thinking I would branch out in my PCDoc business to support Macs once I learned more about these different machines. Between moving from Vermont to Massachusetts and spending less time in Maine in the summers, that part of my business never really took off, and I was left hanging on to this very expensive MacBook that generated no income. I never got to use it much. The bottom line is that it simply wasn't running Windows, and hate Windows if you will, I was used to it, could keep it up and running, and it was where my PCDoc business was. I just could not get myself to like OS/X or Leopard or Lion enough to commit to the MacBook, so it sat mostly gathering dust, and it just made no sense for me to keep it.
So I listed it for sale on Craigslist, and boy did I learn something and quickly at that. I had so many inquiries from scammers who wanted the machine, sight unseen, to be shipped to Nigeria. That was one issue, but the real issue was that they wanted me to ship it and only THEN receive payment! Something is basically wrong with this business model of theirs. I just feel so bad for people who are taken in by these scammers and lose their valuable assets in the process.
I finally sold it to a family in my new hometown, and am happy about this, and particularly happy that the new owner tried out my machine for a day and found it was just what they needed for their business. They already had a lot of Mac experience, and that is what this machine needed. I would not have wanted to sell it to someone with no Mac experience.
I have to say, speaking as an experienced Windows user, the Mac is NOT as user-friendly as the Mac users world would have you believe. I can see a youngster cutting his or her teeth on a Mac and getting to love it and swear by it, but it simply is not a lot of fun for a Windows user to make the transition.
So I listed it for sale on Craigslist, and boy did I learn something and quickly at that. I had so many inquiries from scammers who wanted the machine, sight unseen, to be shipped to Nigeria. That was one issue, but the real issue was that they wanted me to ship it and only THEN receive payment! Something is basically wrong with this business model of theirs. I just feel so bad for people who are taken in by these scammers and lose their valuable assets in the process.
I finally sold it to a family in my new hometown, and am happy about this, and particularly happy that the new owner tried out my machine for a day and found it was just what they needed for their business. They already had a lot of Mac experience, and that is what this machine needed. I would not have wanted to sell it to someone with no Mac experience.
I have to say, speaking as an experienced Windows user, the Mac is NOT as user-friendly as the Mac users world would have you believe. I can see a youngster cutting his or her teeth on a Mac and getting to love it and swear by it, but it simply is not a lot of fun for a Windows user to make the transition.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
MVPS HOSTS File Available online now
I hope you are using this valuable tool. You can now download the new version as of today.
winhelp2002 has made a new post at Hosts News
MVPS HOSTS File Update May-23-2012
The MVPS HOSTS file was recently updated [May-23-2012]
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm
Download: hosts.zip (145 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 (590 kb)
Get notified when the MVPS HOSTS file is updated
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/updates.htm
winhelp2002 has made a new post at Hosts News
MVPS HOSTS File Update May-23-2012
The MVPS HOSTS file was recently updated [May-23-2012]
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm
Download: hosts.zip (145 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 (590 kb)
Get notified when the MVPS HOSTS file is updated
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/updates.htm
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Shredding a hard drive?
I recently experienced one of those "now I have seen everything" moments. The town of Acton, MA has just implemented a program to shred hard drives. Yes, you read that right. I have been in the computer business for 44 years and did not know that such a thing as a Hard Drive Shredder existed!
A company named SEM in Westboro, MA makes several devices for this purpose, but the Town of Acton decided upon the SEM 0300. I have seen it, touched it, and used it to shred several of my own old hard drives.
Why would someone want to shred a hard drive, and what does that mean? Well, first of all if you think of all of the possible Government uses for such devices, the list would be endless. And how about us, the residents of the Town of Acton (and elsewhere)? The answer becomes more obvious every day if you read the papers or listen to the news or browse the web. Privacy. Security. Identity Theft. These probably ring a few bells.
Before you toss out that old computer, and the Town of Acton makes this easy to do at the Town's Transfer Station, think about the data that might still be on your hard drive, and if you have the least amount of concern about this, as I think most of us do or should, then shredding your hard drive is the answer.
The Model 300 will easily and quickly devour your hard drive and turn it into lots of unusable and very small pieces (see attached photo). It really is quite amazing and so easy to do, and works for 2.5 inch (laptop PC) and 3.5 inch (desktop PC) hard drives. I would encourage all residents of Acton to take advantage of this new Town service. Where, you might ask?
The answer is at the gate house at the entrance to the Town of Acton Transfer Station, just off Route 2. Stop at the gate house, complete a brief Hard Drive Destruction Release Form, and pay the attendant $10 for the service (these machines are VERY expensive as you can see from the SEM web site and the Town wishes to have the machine pay for itself). Please note: as I write this the form is not yet online. If, when it goes online, it is located in a different web location, I will update the link. My thanks to John Bailey at the Transfer Station (pictured below) who is holding a handful of shreds (former hard drives) and posing next to the SEM 0300 (yes, it is a small machine and surprisingly quiet too!).
For any technical questions regarding how to remove your hard drive from your computer, please contact me at 781-898-4060 or pcdoc@brpcdoc.com.
A company named SEM in Westboro, MA makes several devices for this purpose, but the Town of Acton decided upon the SEM 0300. I have seen it, touched it, and used it to shred several of my own old hard drives.
Why would someone want to shred a hard drive, and what does that mean? Well, first of all if you think of all of the possible Government uses for such devices, the list would be endless. And how about us, the residents of the Town of Acton (and elsewhere)? The answer becomes more obvious every day if you read the papers or listen to the news or browse the web. Privacy. Security. Identity Theft. These probably ring a few bells.
Before you toss out that old computer, and the Town of Acton makes this easy to do at the Town's Transfer Station, think about the data that might still be on your hard drive, and if you have the least amount of concern about this, as I think most of us do or should, then shredding your hard drive is the answer.
The Model 300 will easily and quickly devour your hard drive and turn it into lots of unusable and very small pieces (see attached photo). It really is quite amazing and so easy to do, and works for 2.5 inch (laptop PC) and 3.5 inch (desktop PC) hard drives. I would encourage all residents of Acton to take advantage of this new Town service. Where, you might ask?
The answer is at the gate house at the entrance to the Town of Acton Transfer Station, just off Route 2. Stop at the gate house, complete a brief Hard Drive Destruction Release Form, and pay the attendant $10 for the service (these machines are VERY expensive as you can see from the SEM web site and the Town wishes to have the machine pay for itself). Please note: as I write this the form is not yet online. If, when it goes online, it is located in a different web location, I will update the link. My thanks to John Bailey at the Transfer Station (pictured below) who is holding a handful of shreds (former hard drives) and posing next to the SEM 0300 (yes, it is a small machine and surprisingly quiet too!).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
