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Update Your Software

It may surprise some people how many software programs they have on their computer. For a computer to function and do all the things we want them to do, it takes more than just an operating system, like Windows. For the computer to function one must install a multitude of programs. some of these program come installed on the computer and some of them are embedded in the operating system. Even those programs will have to be regularly updated.

Often, the software that comes installed on your computer already needs to receive updates by the time you receive the computer at your home. The speed and change of computer systems requires that one keeps up with these changes if you intend to stay compatible. Compatibility refers to the software being able to function with the files that are being used today.

You may be happy using Microsoft Office 2000, and that may be working for you. It is important to remember that updating your software is not the same as switching to a new version. Updating software refers to making sure you have the most up to date code in the software you are using. Do you want your older program to work with files produced on newer programs. Sometimes making sure you have the updates will allow them to function.

One of the most important reasons to update your software is security. In order to keep your documents and other files safe it is important to have the most current security information in your system. This is very true for your operating system, web browser and your email program if you use one.

Checking for updates is usually fairly simple and many programs come with an automatic update option. To check for updates in many programs it is done by using the help menu. Keep your programs updated regularly.

Filed Under: Operating Systems, Technology Tagged With: , ,

For Newbies; 6 Ways to Better iPhone Use

New iPhone users have no idea what they’re in for; a magical world with over 300,000 apps that can do literally anything. It’s addictive and it’s expensive, but users don’t seem to notice that. There are a plethora of games to play, apps that tell today’s horoscopes and weather, a voice-control app, and even an app that turns the speaker into a tiny fan. And, it can be used for communication, too!
It’s impossible to learn it all right away, so here’s a few tips to using an iPhone for all the newbies out there.
The first thing a newbie wants to do is get some apps. It’s really easy to do and sometimes free, but it can quickly clutter-up the home screen. Everyone has downloaded apps that they never used again, so here’s the deal; if the app isn’t used again within about 48 hours, delete it.
One of the biggest complaints is that battery life is painfully short. And, it doesn’t tell you before it runs out, unless you make it tell you. There’s a way to put a numbered percentage next to the battery icon on the home screen. Simply tap on Settings, then General, then Usage, then Turn on Battery Percentage.
The user can lessen the LCD screen’s brightness. The screen really drains a large portion of the battery life. Tap Settings, Brightness, Turn on Auto-Brightness. Also, turn off WiFi, Notifications and Location Services to save even more battery life. The battery degrades quickly too, so a new one will probably be necessary in less than a year, depending on how much one needs to charge it.
IPhone has a fragile cord. With all the technology Apple has, they still can’t make a cord worth a damn. Never pull it by the cord to unplug it, in fact, be careful with it. Many iPhone users have replaced the cord multiple times.
Filed Under: Internet, Technology Tagged With: , , ,

Online Scams are Getting Harder to Detect

The online world is not only growing, but it’s getting more dangerous. There are scams and fake viruses and all kinds of things that can do damage to someone’s system or website. Why do people do this? Nobody knows except that they like messing with people. They like saying, “I did it.” Keep the following advice in mind when using the Internet.
Fake links from financial institutions: If an email came in that asks you to check or resubmit any information concerning bank accounts, personal information like an SSN, or any information do NOT click the link provided in the email. Go directly to the site of the financial institution using a different window. A recent study shows that criminals make over 57,000 fake Internet sites PER WEEK. It’s not a bad idea to pick up the phone and call the institution to personally speak with a representative.
Don’t Say You’re Leaving Town on Twitter

Facebook and Twitter are major sources of malware. A fake will usually post a link to a video that says something like, “Is this really you?” It will say something that warrants a reaction, like, “I’m in Mexico and I need money to get home!” When clicked on, it won’t do anything suspicious and the user is unaware they’ve been hacked. Use a different way to ask the friend if they posted it. Clicking on it will open the phone or computer to a virus that tracks all the keystrokes the user makes. Keystrokes = password.
Use a firewall so most hackers are unable to get into the computer. Bank accounts, email, PayPal and other systems claim they’re safe, but the user has to do their part. Use passwords that are long sequences of numbers, letters (in upper and lower case) and symbols. Change these every six months or so.
Use more than common sense, use caution!
Filed Under: Hardware, Internet Tagged With: , , ,

Top Ten Most Downloaded Windows Utilities

By now we’d expect an OS to be all-encompassing, but there’s just too much available now for it all to be put into any one OS. And, sticking to an OS alone would be like eating only vanilla ice cream all the time, when there’s so many toppings available. There are little programs that can help enhance the user familiarity.
Windows calls them utilities and there are a number of things that can be downloaded to make the user experience more valuable. Some people prefer screen savers and some prefer programs that can do things, but there’s a lot out there to choose from. A user can do anything from tweaking the OS to un-deleting lost files.
A website called tips29.com tells us what the top ten (most downloaded) utilities for Windows are.
Windows Desktop Search 3.01 for Windows XP. It’s a search function that sits on the desktop where it’s handy. It searches the computer for files and photos the user wants.
Windows Theme Nunavut. It gives the desktop a Nunavut theme, or it makes everything look really cold and scenic.
Also popular is the Microsoft Egypt Nile Theme; it gives the desktop an Egyptian themed wallpaper, animated cursors and new icons.
Windows Autoplay Repair Wizard. This utility scans the pc and devices to find and fix defective AutoPlay settings.
3D American Flag Screen Saver; give the desktop a patriotic look with the American flag.
SyncToy v1.4 With this utility users can copy, rename, delete and move files between folders and computers.
Winter Fun Screensavers for Windows XP. Cool (cold) screen saver 3-D pictures with interactive sound effects.
Dancer LE. This one lets the user experience music with life-like 3-D animated dancers that have lots of groovy and funny dance moves.
NZ Bliss Desktop Backgrounds for Windows. Set the desktop to show scenes that are New Zealand backdrops for wallpaper.
Internet Explorer Developer Toolbar. This one’s very popular for IE users, but it might have a little problem with IE8 or 9. It gives the user a variety of tools for the Internet experience.
Filed Under: Computers, Operating Systems Tagged With: , , , , ,

Evolution of Voice Control Makes Personal Assistants

We’ve all used the telephone technology where words have to be enunciated carefully for the software to know which function to perform. Many times the software just turned people over to a real person anyway, making the voice recognition a time waster.
However, now we have Vlingo, the voice recognition software that wants to be a personal assistant, software that works much like Siri, the personal assistant app that Apple purchased last year. Vlingo can help your computer know what you want it to do.
Vlingo is a Personal Assistant, Not Just Software

Instead of just dictating text, a person can dictate directions, or actions. Here’s an example of what it can do:
Grab the phone and say, “Tell Bob Springer that he needs to try Vlingo.” The phone opens up a text message and it types a message that says ‘You need to try Vlingo’ and it sends the text message to Bob Springer in the contact list. Now a person can (and will) speak directions into their phones without feeling like a dork in public; no repeating the command or trying to enunciate better – Vlingo understands.
A user can tell Vlingo, “Get me a reservation at a hotel in Philadelphia for Tuesday night.” Vlingo then opens an app called Kayak, and Kayak shows a list of hotels in that city with vacancies on Tuesday night. If the user doesn’t have Kayak on their phone, then Vlingo will prompt the user to download it. If the user does, Kayak pays Vlingo a small fee. If the user registers and makes a hotel reservation through Kayak, then Vlingo gets another small fee. Then if the user clicks on an ad that’s on the hotel page, Vlingo gets a cut from the advertiser.
Already, with 8 million users that downloaded the app, Vlingo figures it can make .14 cents on each user per month – that equals out to about $13.4 million a year. This year, 2011 promises more money and Vlingo expects to earn .22 cents per user per month.
Filed Under: Common Problems, Technology Tagged With: , , , , ,

New iPhone Apps Make a Phone a Cool Toy

iPod touch - My PDA.

Image by MJ/TR (´･ω･) via Flickr

Smart phones are the future… er, the present and the future. Phones can do so many things these days, they aren’t just telephones anymore. They’re cameras, video makers, music makers, all kinds of things wrapped into a small black rectangle. There are over 300,000 apps people can download that enable a person to do all kinds of things on their telephone. Some of the things are a little odd, like these:
An app called Blower turns the iPhone’s speaker into a small fan. It doesn’t do much good as a fan, unless you want it to blow out your candles, and in that case it’s good.
British developers have made a functioning satellite that uses a smart phone as its brain. It’s called the STRaND-1 (Surrey Training, Research and Nanosatellite Demonstrator) and it weighs in at under eight pounds and costs less than a new car. But sadly, a new car can’t go into outer space, yet.
So Many Apps Make to iPhones More Fun

An app called Annoy-a-Teen that emits a ring tone that adults cannot hear. It’s quite an annoying sound, and because of physical technicalities, teens are able to hear it but not adults.
The Google Goggles phone app has a Sudoku puzzle solver. Just point the iPhone at it, click “solve” and it’s done! The app fills in all the numbers and the puzzle is complete.
Now anyone can contribute to the science of earthquakes. With an app called iShake the user’s phone sends a report of a quake to a central computer that will compare the iPhone’s data to the data taken from other iPhones in the area. Then, it makes a map of the strength and location of the quake.
An app called Parrot AR Drone can turn the phone into a remote control for a four-rotor helicopter complete with camera and sensors. This can be operated from an iPad computer, iPhone or a iPod Touch, and all one has to do is tip it in the direction they want the helicopter to fly.
It’s more than a phone; it’s a cool toy!
Filed Under: Common Problems, Operating Systems Tagged With: ,

New Internet Switch Won’t be Over Night

The Internet is running out of IP addresses, have you heard? They say on January 3rd of this year they sold the last two remaining blocks of Internet addresses. The limit has been reached. What to do now?
Officials could see this coming decades ago, and in the ‘90s they made another Internet system (IPv6 or version 6) that can accommodate many times the numbers of people it accommodates now. In time, people are going to have to switch over. Over to an intangible place where 340 undecillion websites can exist. An undecillion has 12 zeros behind the number. That’s a lot more than the 4.3 billion IP addresses that were made available in version 4.
Using IPv6 Can Connect Everyone to Their Devices

There are already places using IPv6 technology, but only privately and it hasn’t been public yet. The thing is, if businesses want to have a website people will see, the business will have to set up for version 6. Version 4 has been called brittle and fragile; ready to break down, so to speak. However nobody wants to go to version 6 just yet, because nobody’s there. It isn’t easy to sell space on an Internet that nobody else uses.
They might have to come kicking and screaming, but everyone will have to upgrade to version 6 soon enough. There are already smart phones and computers that have the technology, just waiting for the change to take place. But the change won’t happen overnight; it’ll be a gradual change as people slowly learn and migrate over to version 6.
Right now, there are two versions of the Internet and they both are written with different languages and the two cannot communicate, so it’s the devices that will have to manage both versions and allow users to integrate the old with the new.
The new Internet is where all 6 billion people who want to be connected to their devices can have that, but version 4 just isn’t big enough to handle everyone plus their devices.
Filed Under: Computers, Internet Tagged With: , , , ,

Search Engines: Selecting the right one for you

Internet search engines are applications that allow computer users to locate and access information stored on webpages and other sites. The various search engines have different ways to acquire the information, but they all seem to perform a few basic tasks:

  • They search the Internet to access sites based on word selection.
  • They maintain an index or list of the words they find and where they are located
  • They allow the user to look for words or word combinations found within that index

There are different types of search engines that gather information listings; crawler-based search engines, human-powered directories, and hybrid search engines.

  • Crawler-based search engines crawl or spider through the web, create their listings automatically, and then make it possible for users to search through what the engine has found. An example of a crawler-based search engine is Google.
  • Human-powered directories depend on people for its listing. How it works is that the webpage owner submits a short description to the directory for the site or webpage editors write a description for sites they review, and then the search will look for matches in the descriptions present. An example of human-powered directories includes the Open Directory.
  • Today’s search engines more commonly use a hybrid search that is a combination of crawler-based results and human-powered listings. Generally, the hybrid search engine will favor one type over the other. For example, Bing search is more likely to present human-powered listings, but it will also present crawler-based results for more ambiguous queries.

Common Search Engines

  • Google
  • Bing
  • Yahoo Search
  • AltaVista
  • Lycos
  • Live Search

Features for the differing search engines include:

  • Defaults
  • Boolean capabilities and constraints
  • Case sensitivity
  • Proximity
  • Truncation and stemming
  • Limits
  • Field searching
  • File types
  • Stop words
  • Sorting
  • Filtering

Unsure which search engine to use or the best one for users? The question really doesn’t have an answer as it is based on user preference. The only way to find out which one is right for you is try them out. Luckily, many search engines are free to users or offer free trials so there is no excuse to give them a try!

Filed Under: Internet Tagged With: ,

Protecting Your Computer Against Malware Attacks

If you are like most people, you rely on your computer in many ways, which makes it a necessity to protect your computer against viruses using software such as PC Tools Antivirus. Running your computer without antivirus protection exposes you to malware that can harm your computer and wreak havoc on your life in the form of lost productivity and other time consuming hassles.

What Antivirus Software is Intended For

Antivirus software protects your computer against all manners of invaders, such as viruses, Trojans and worms. Malware can enter your computer from clicking on an email file, downloading untrustworthy files or visiting harmful websites. The best strategy for protecting your computer against these issues is to install antivirus software that prevents these malicious attacks.

Quality antivirus software is able to detect the presence of these invaders and block them from harming your computer. A good product demands little attention from you. You simply install it and it runs in the background as you go about your business. When it does detect malicious files, it blocks them and alerts you to them, as needed. You know the quality of antivirus software from its ability to detect all kinds of malware. The best products are those that are continually updated by the manufacturer to recognize any and all types of attacks. Poor quality antivirus software is rarely updated and leaves your computer exposed to malware attacks.

Reasons to Use PC Tools Antivirus

With so many antivirus products constantly entering the market, you’ll want to choose one that is well-known and constantly updated, such as PC Tools Antivirus. This product has many protective layers in place to react to and eliminate malware attacks. It automatically protects your computer and allows you to have peace of mind. With this antivirus software, your entire computer is scanned and you have access to a report of all malware issues and how they were resolved.

Filed Under: Common Problems, Computers Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Internet Explorer: Shortcuts and Task Tips

Internet Explorer (IE) is a Microsoft browser that allows searching the Internet for information easy and efficient.  To make things even easier, keep these shortcuts and task tips handy the next time you search for information.

Shortcuts

  • Ctrl + N – opens the current webpage in a new window
  • Ctrl + P – prints the displayed webpage
  • Ctrl + I – opens the favorites list
  • Ctrl + D – adds current webpage to favorites list
  • Ctrl + H – opens the browser history
  • Ctrl + B – opens the organize favorites list
  • Ctrl + T – opens a new tab
  • Ctrl + E – opens search in explorer bar
  • Ctrl + W – closes the current window
  • Ctrl + F4 – closes the current tab
  • Ctrl + tab – moves through the open tabs
  • Spacebar – moves down the page
  • Shift + spacebar – moves up the page

Navigation Shortcuts

  • F1 – opens help menu
  • F5 – refreshes the page
  • F11 – allows user to toggle between full screen and regular view of the browser window
  • Esc – stops page from downloading
  • Alt + Home – brings user back to default webpage
  • Alt + left arrow – brings user back to  previously viewed webpage
  • Alt + right arrow – brings user forward to next webpage
  • Page Up – scrolls up through webpage
  • Page Down – scrolls down webpage
  • Home – brings user to the beginning of the page
  • End – brings user to the end of the page

Task Tips

  • Want to disable add-ons?  Hold down the Windows logo key + R >  iexplore.exe –extoff
  • Want the browser to auto complete website addresses as you begin to type? From the menu select tools > Internet options > advanced > and then click on the box next to use inline AutoComplete
  • Need to delete cookies, temporary files, or form data? From the menu select tools > delete browsing history
  • Want to print only a part of the webpage displayed? Highlight the text to print, press Ctrl +P, under page range select selection, and then click on print
  • Need to zoom in? Select Ctrl plus the “+” key
  • Need to zoom out? Select Ctrl plus the “-“ key
  • Want to zoom to 100%? Select Ctrl + 0
Filed Under: Computers, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: ,
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