Saturday, April 23, 2011
Email Etiquette
It seems that somehow with all the different forms of communications in this digital age, we have lost our ability to properly communicate. Watch this video for a few good reminders.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Mobile Malware Protection
Some time ago I told you I would find a program for security on your mobile device. This one works for Android, Blackberry, and Windows mobile devices.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Is Your Mobile Device at Risk for a Virus? YES!
It seems that Microsoft, with the help of third party anti-malware software, is finally getting the security level of its software at a level that has forced cyber criminals to focus their efforts to different operating systems to wreak havoc. According to a report from Cisco, a giant in computer connectivity, mobile devices are prime targets (click here to read the article). This includes Apple Computer's iPhone and Google's Android.
Cisco also points out the increasing number of vulnerabilites being found in the Apple operating systems. These systems have been ignored as the cyber criminals have mostly focused on the mainstream Windows computers. But as the Windows vulnerabilities starts to dwindle, criminals are turning their focus to the largely unprotected and unprepared Apple world (many Mac users don't have any anti-malware software installed).
As of today I don't have a recommendation for your mobile device, but will be posting again in the next few weeks after I have had some time to research the topic.
Cisco also points out the increasing number of vulnerabilites being found in the Apple operating systems. These systems have been ignored as the cyber criminals have mostly focused on the mainstream Windows computers. But as the Windows vulnerabilities starts to dwindle, criminals are turning their focus to the largely unprotected and unprepared Apple world (many Mac users don't have any anti-malware software installed).
As of today I don't have a recommendation for your mobile device, but will be posting again in the next few weeks after I have had some time to research the topic.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Chocolate Chip Cookies
This has nothing to do with computers. It is a story I have had in my files for a very long time. I received an email from a friend in Wisconsin and the story he told reminded me of this story for some reason.
An elderly man lay dying in his bed. In death’s agony, he suddenly smelled the aroma of his favorite chocolate chip cookies wafting up the stairs. He gathered his remaining strength, and lifted himself from the bed. Leaning against the wall, he slowly made his way out of the bedroom and with even greater effort forced himself down the stairs, gripping the railing with both hands. With labored breath, he leaned against the door-frame, gazing into the kitchen. Were it not for death’s agony, he would have thought himself already in heaven: there, spread out upon newspapers on the kitchen table were literally hundreds of his favorite chocolate chip cookies. Was it heaven? Or was it one final act of heroic love from his devoted wife, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man?
Mustering one great final effort, he threw himself toward the table, landing on his knees in a rumpled posture. His parched lips parted; the wondrous taste of the cookie was already in his mouth; seemingly bringing him back to life. The aged and withered hand, shaking made its way to a cookie at the edge of the table, when it was suddenly smacked with a spatula by his wife. “Stay out of those,” she said, “they’re for the funeral.”
An elderly man lay dying in his bed. In death’s agony, he suddenly smelled the aroma of his favorite chocolate chip cookies wafting up the stairs. He gathered his remaining strength, and lifted himself from the bed. Leaning against the wall, he slowly made his way out of the bedroom and with even greater effort forced himself down the stairs, gripping the railing with both hands. With labored breath, he leaned against the door-frame, gazing into the kitchen. Were it not for death’s agony, he would have thought himself already in heaven: there, spread out upon newspapers on the kitchen table were literally hundreds of his favorite chocolate chip cookies. Was it heaven? Or was it one final act of heroic love from his devoted wife, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man?
Mustering one great final effort, he threw himself toward the table, landing on his knees in a rumpled posture. His parched lips parted; the wondrous taste of the cookie was already in his mouth; seemingly bringing him back to life. The aged and withered hand, shaking made its way to a cookie at the edge of the table, when it was suddenly smacked with a spatula by his wife. “Stay out of those,” she said, “they’re for the funeral.”
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Windows 7 - My First Thoughts
Let me start by apologizing for the length of this post. I try to keep these post very short, but in this case there is much to say.
Windows 7 was released fall of 2009. Since then, I have had several clients that purchased new computers that came with Windows 7 (all Home Premium 64-bit version to the best of my recollection), and I bought a new Dell laptop in March 2010 with the 64-bit Professional version pre-installed.
So far I have had no major negative events on either my laptop or my clients computers. I have been able to fix or overcome all problems (there will always be problems). This is the first time I purchased a 64-bit version of Windows for my computer. The biggest benefit of a 64-bit version of Windows is that it utilizes more memory, which helps make it faster. Yes, my new laptop is pretty fast. But it is hard for me to know if it is fast because it has Windows 7 (last laptop was Vista), or because it has a faster processor than my last laptop, or if it is fast because it has 4GB of RAM (last laptop had 2GB). BTW, I was often heard saying "I hate Vista" even though Microsoft had dealt with most of the problems. I have yet to say that about Windows 7.
Overall Windows 7 has been a positive experience. There have been things to which I have had to adjust (like the look and feel of the SysTray), and things I found ways to fix (like the Missing Quick Launch Bar). I can happily recommend that my clients purchase systems with Windows 7. There is a learning curve. It will take some adjustment. But the adjustments are minor. The biggest problem is that there are several versions to select from, and you need to be sure you select the correct version for your situation. More on version concerns in a future post, but for today let me suggest that you stay away from the Starter Edition and I will steer most of you to the 64-bit versions of either Home Premium or Professional. If you want a jump on that post click here.
Bad news, there is no direct Windows 7 upgrade path from XP (there is from Vista, but I still recommend a clean install). In other words, you can't just go buy Windows 7 and install it over an existing Windows XP. Unless you are technically suave, you should plan to buy a new computer with Windows 7 pre-installed. You will need to install all your programs on your new PC, and then transfer your data. With only a rare exception, I will not install Windows 7 on your old computer.
Future posts:
When should I make the move to Windows 7?
Which version of Windows 7 should I get?
Should I consider a Mac?
Windows 7 was released fall of 2009. Since then, I have had several clients that purchased new computers that came with Windows 7 (all Home Premium 64-bit version to the best of my recollection), and I bought a new Dell laptop in March 2010 with the 64-bit Professional version pre-installed.
So far I have had no major negative events on either my laptop or my clients computers. I have been able to fix or overcome all problems (there will always be problems). This is the first time I purchased a 64-bit version of Windows for my computer. The biggest benefit of a 64-bit version of Windows is that it utilizes more memory, which helps make it faster. Yes, my new laptop is pretty fast. But it is hard for me to know if it is fast because it has Windows 7 (last laptop was Vista), or because it has a faster processor than my last laptop, or if it is fast because it has 4GB of RAM (last laptop had 2GB). BTW, I was often heard saying "I hate Vista" even though Microsoft had dealt with most of the problems. I have yet to say that about Windows 7.
Overall Windows 7 has been a positive experience. There have been things to which I have had to adjust (like the look and feel of the SysTray), and things I found ways to fix (like the Missing Quick Launch Bar). I can happily recommend that my clients purchase systems with Windows 7. There is a learning curve. It will take some adjustment. But the adjustments are minor. The biggest problem is that there are several versions to select from, and you need to be sure you select the correct version for your situation. More on version concerns in a future post, but for today let me suggest that you stay away from the Starter Edition and I will steer most of you to the 64-bit versions of either Home Premium or Professional. If you want a jump on that post click here.
Bad news, there is no direct Windows 7 upgrade path from XP (there is from Vista, but I still recommend a clean install). In other words, you can't just go buy Windows 7 and install it over an existing Windows XP. Unless you are technically suave, you should plan to buy a new computer with Windows 7 pre-installed. You will need to install all your programs on your new PC, and then transfer your data. With only a rare exception, I will not install Windows 7 on your old computer.
Future posts:
When should I make the move to Windows 7?
Which version of Windows 7 should I get?
Should I consider a Mac?
Sunday, May 16, 2010
What level Service Pack is installed on my computer?
Many of you have asked the question above, so here is one of several ways to tell. Right-click on the "My Computer" icon on the desktop or in the Start Menu. Then select Properties from the menu that appears. You should get a dialog box similar to the one below. This computer has Service Pack 3.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Support for many Windows versions ends July 13, 2010
Support for Windows 95, 98, NT and ME ended a long time ago. It's a natural progression. Microsoft, or any software developer, cannot continue to support old technology indefinitely. If you have any computers with Windows 2000, support will end July 13, 2010. This means no more security updates or patches. Microsoft will also stop support for versions of XP before Service Pack 3. If you have an older version of XP you can update to SP3 using Windows Update (see my March 6 post).
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