Ask Bob Rankin tag:askbobrankin.com,2008://2 2008-06-26T19:10:39Z Need tech support? Go ahead... Ask Bob Rankin about computers, viruses, spyware, search engines or almost anything about the Internet. Movable Type 3.21 External Hard Drive Security tag:askbobrankin.com,2008://2.812 2008-06-26T19:06:07Z 2008-06-26T19:10:39Z "I want to backup my home comptuers to an external hard drive, but I'm worried about security. If the drive is lost or stolen, all my sensitive personal and financial data goes with it. Is there a way to password... Bob Rankin "I want to backup my home comptuers to an external hard drive, but I'm worried about security. If the drive is lost or stolen, all my sensitive personal and financial data goes with it. Is there a way to password protect a hard drive, encrypt it, or protect it with some other security device?"

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]]> Vista ReadyBoost tag:askbobrankin.com,2008://2.811 2008-06-24T17:12:43Z 2008-06-24T17:20:49Z What exactly does Vista ReadyBoost do? Is it the same as adding RAM, or is it more like a disk cache? I've read varying reports as to whether or not it really boosts performance on Vista. What do you know... Bob Rankin What exactly does Vista ReadyBoost do? Is it the same as adding RAM, or is it more like a disk cache? I've read varying reports as to whether or not it really boosts performance on Vista. What do you know about ReadyBoost?

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]]> Accessing Blocked Websites tag:askbobrankin.com,2008://2.810 2008-06-20T18:30:25Z 2008-06-20T23:22:11Z If you are a student, employee, or part of the military, you've probably experienced the frustration of not being able to access certain websites or even your webmail. Fortunately there are some things you can do to access these blocked... Bob Rankin If you are a student, employee, or part of the military, you've probably experienced the frustration of not being able to access certain websites or even your webmail. Fortunately there are some things you can do to access these blocked sites. Here's how...

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]]> Five Geeky Gadgets tag:askbobrankin.com,2008://2.787 2008-06-10T19:52:46Z 2008-06-10T20:11:52Z Anyone can plug in a computer and attach a printer. But that's not all there is to being a serious computer jockey these days. Are you ready to get your geek on? Check out these five must-have gadgets to enhance... Bob Rankin Anyone can plug in a computer and attach a printer. But that's not all there is to being a serious computer jockey these days. Are you ready to get your geek on? Check out these five must-have gadgets to enhance your computing experience or find a great Father's Day gift...

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]]> Defrag Your Hard Drive tag:askbobrankin.com,2008://2.786 2008-06-10T16:11:28Z 2008-06-10T19:28:28Z If you have noticed your computer running a little sluggish and slow lately, it might be time to defragment your hard drive. Your hard drive does need to be cleaned out regularly and defragmented in order to keep everything working... Bob Rankin If you have noticed your computer running a little sluggish and slow lately, it might be time to defragment your hard drive. Your hard drive does need to be cleaned out regularly and defragmented in order to keep everything working better. Here's the why and how of defragging...

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]]> My Favorite Software tag:askbobrankin.com,2008://2.785 2008-06-09T19:08:25Z 2008-06-09T19:15:41Z In the course of doing my job, I use certain programs on a regular basis. On any given day, I might be doing word processing, web design, programming, image editing, trouble shooting, and of course email and web surfing. Here... Bob Rankin In the course of doing my job, I use certain programs on a regular basis. On any given day, I might be doing word processing, web design, programming, image editing, trouble shooting, and of course email and web surfing. Here are some of my favorite software applications to get the job done...

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]]> Do I Need a Registry Cleaner? tag:askbobrankin.com,2008://2.784 2008-05-29T17:18:00Z 2008-06-24T17:27:19Z "My computer seems to get slower and slower. A friend told me I need a registry cleaner. Will that really help? If so, where can I get a good free registry cleaner to do the job?"... Bob Rankin "My computer seems to get slower and slower. A friend told me I need a registry cleaner. Will that really help? If so, where can I get a good free registry cleaner to do the job?"

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]]> Samsung Instinct Review tag:askbobrankin.com,2008://2.783 2008-05-28T18:06:03Z 2008-05-28T18:18:32Z Samsung recently introduced the Instinct at the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association Wireless 2008 show. The Instinct was rated the top cell phone presented at this year's show by CNET. But how does this slick mobile device compare to the iPhone?... Bob Rankin Samsung recently introduced the Instinct at the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association Wireless 2008 show. The Instinct was rated the top cell phone presented at this year's show by CNET. But how does this slick mobile device compare to the iPhone?

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]]> Password Protection for Windows XP tag:askbobrankin.com,2008://2.782 2008-05-22T21:13:42Z 2008-06-24T17:27:19Z "How can I password protect a file on my Windows XP system? I want to add a password so that nobody can open the file without knowing the password. I tried the Sharing and Security option, but there was no... Bob Rankin "How can I password protect a file on my Windows XP system? I want to add a password so that nobody can open the file without knowing the password. I tried the Sharing and Security option, but there was no place to enter a password. There must be a way..."

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]]> Search Privacy tag:askbobrankin.com,2008://2.781 2008-05-16T21:48:42Z 2008-05-16T21:52:09Z "I've heard that Google keeps a log of everything that people search for. If this is true, can I delete my search history? Who else is keeping track of what I search for?"... Bob Rankin "I've heard that Google keeps a log of everything that people search for. If this is true, can I delete my search history? Who else is keeping track of what I search for?"

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]]> iPhone Accesories tag:askbobrankin.com,2008://2.780 2008-05-15T20:46:29Z 2008-05-15T20:57:16Z There's no shortage of accessories out there when it comes to the iPhone. So I've compiled a list of the coolest and most useful add-ons to complement your iPhone.... Bob Rankin There's no shortage of accessories out there when it comes to the iPhone. So I've compiled a list of the coolest and most useful add-ons to complement your iPhone.

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]]> Bonzai - It's a New Puppy! tag:askbobrankin.com,2008://2.779 2008-05-12T20:06:24Z 2008-05-12T20:11:33Z I know I'm supposed to write about computers, the Internet and nifty gadgets, but life is more than all that electronic stuff. I'm so happy with my new puppy that I've just got to show him off...... Bob Rankin I know I'm supposed to write about computers, the Internet and nifty gadgets, but life is more than all that electronic stuff. I'm so happy with my new puppy that I've just got to show him off...

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]]> Is Privacy History? tag:askbobrankin.com,2008://2.778 2008-05-09T17:22:52Z 2008-05-09T17:30:40Z What information about you is publicly available on the Web? In the past, only government agencies and businesses with a 'need to know' were able to access personal information. Today, Internet search engines allow almost anyone to find information about... Bob Rankin What information about you is publicly available on the Web? In the past, only government agencies and businesses with a 'need to know' were able to access personal information. Today, Internet search engines allow almost anyone to find information about friends, co-workers, job applicants, etc. What information that YOU thought was private is available online?

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]]> Upgrade to Windows XP SP3 tag:askbobrankin.com,2008://2.777 2008-05-08T18:41:22Z 2008-06-24T17:27:19Z "I've heard that Microsoft just released a new service pack for Windows XP. Is SP3 going to make my XP machine run faster and jump higher? Or should I avoid it? I remember the SP2 hassles... What's your take on... Bob Rankin "I've heard that Microsoft just released a new service pack for Windows XP. Is SP3 going to make my XP machine run faster and jump higher? Or should I avoid it? I remember the SP2 hassles... What's your take on XP SP3?"

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]]> Voyager Versus iPhone tag:askbobrankin.com,2008://2.776 2008-05-06T23:07:50Z 2008-05-28T18:32:57Z "Some people are calling the new LG Voyager a potential iPhone killer. I'm considering buying the Voyager so I'd like your take on how it stacks up against the Apple iPhone."... Bob Rankin "Some people are calling the new LG Voyager a potential iPhone killer. I'm considering buying the Voyager so I'd like your take on how it stacks up against the Apple iPhone."

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