Ask Bob Rankin

How Do Spammers Get My Email Address?

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:14:45 +0000

Spammers seem to have supernatural powers of divination that enable them to guess email addresses accurately and quickly. But in reality, spammers harvest email addresses by pretty mundane means. You may even be contributing to the problem without realizing it. Here's the scoop on how spammers get email addresses, and steps you can take to protect your inbox...

Continue reading How Do Spammers Get My Email Address? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Geekly Update - 07 February 2012

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:18:40 +0000

Is the FBI working on a new way to peek into what you're saying on Facebook or Twitter? Has Nikon finally introduced an x-ray vision feature in their new Coolpix digital cameras? And forget about the football -- what was the best commercial aired during Super Bowl 2012? Get answers to these burning questions, and the scoop on the latest tech news, in this edition of the Geekly Update. It's guaranteed to make you 146% smarter, read on...

Continue reading Geekly Update - 07 February 2012 // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

The Best Mobile Phone Web Browser?

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:43:33 +0000

"I use both Firefox and the Google Chrome browser on my desktop computer, so I miss some of the features they offer when I'm using my tablet or smartphone. We have both iPhone and Android devices in our home, and would love to have the same browser across all of them. What do you recommend?"

Continue reading The Best Mobile Phone Web Browser? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Top Five Android Phones for 2012

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:33:09 +0000

The number of Android smartphones on the market keeps growing; at this point, the selection is vast and bewildering. But competition among phone makers is a good thing, pushing the envelope of features and speed to new heights. Here are five of the best-performing Android phones on the market today...

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How Can I Sell My Stuff Online?

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:42:02 +0000

So you want to sell your stuff on the Internet? Lots of people have great ideas for selling their own products, be they handcrafted goods, print on demand items, or a beanie baby collection. Here are some tips for using online marketplaces, or easily creating your own storefront on the Web...

Continue reading How Can I Sell My Stuff Online? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Geekly Update - 01 February 2012

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:49:26 +0000

Is it true that stupid cat videos now get more views than the "laughing babies" genre on YouTube? Why did McDonalds have an epic fail on Twitter? And what is Facebook's latest ploy to make money from the details of your personal life? Get answers to these burning questions, and the scoop on the latest tech news, in this edition of the Geekly Update. It's guaranteed to make you 146% smarter, read on...Geekly Update - 01 February 2012

Continue reading Geekly Update - 01 February 2012 // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Beware the Fedex Shipment Notification Scam

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:55:46 +0000

Recently, I received an email, apparently from Federal Express, advising me that a package I shipped had been delivered. That surprised me, because I didn't recall shipping any packages via FedEx lately. Read on to learn about the package delivery scam, and how to avoid it…

Continue reading Beware the Fedex Shipment Notification Scam // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Where to Download Free Fonts

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:10:08 +0000

Search for "free fonts" and Google will turn up over 14 million hits. Many of these free font sites are simply duplicates of each other, and some contain malware or pirated material. But after scouring the web and reviewing the recommendations of several typography-related sites, I narrowed the field to a handful of useful sites. Here are some of the best places to look for free fonts, without worrying about viruses or copyright violations...

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Should You Buy Discount Ink Cartridges?

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:23:08 +0000

"Are discount ink cartridges a good deal? I've heard they can ruin your printer, void your warranty, and that the quality is lacking. Others have told me they're great and can save you lots of money. What's the scoop on cheap ink cartridges?"

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Free Conference Calls With Skype

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:48:23 +0000

"Does Skype offer a good conference calling experience if you have multiple participants? I know Skype is free, but are there any limitations on conference calls with Skype? Are there other free conference calling services I should check out?"

Continue reading Free Conference Calls With Skype // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Geekly Update - 25 January 2012

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:07:26 +0000

How is game maker Sega taking "real-time streaming" to bizarre new levels in Japanese pubs? Will your light fixtures soon be hogging all the wifi? Zappos was hacked and Kodak is bankrupt - why should you NOT worry? And why are there so many neurotic narcissists on Facebook? Get answers to these burning questions, and the scoop on the latest tech news, in this edition of the Geekly Update. It's guaranteed to make you 146% smarter, read on...

Continue reading Geekly Update - 25 January 2012 // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

How Can I Speed Up My Internet Connection?

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:37:59 +0000

Want to speed up your Internet? A slow, crawling Internet connection is a source of great frustration. Sometimes the slowdown is beyond your control; the Internet is subject to traffic jams just like any other highway. But there are some things you can do to maximize whatever speed you are able to get.

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Microsoft Word vs Google Docs

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:56:27 +0000

"Is Google Docs a good alternative to Word? My new computer has no word processing software, and I'm thinking about just using Google's online word processor instead of spending the money on Microsoft Word. Are there are significant features I'd have to live without, or other factors to consider?"

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Get Your Free Credit Score

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:31:04 +0000

Your credit score is one of the most important numbers in your financial life. This one number summarizes your creditworthiness, and it's the first thing lenders look at when you apply for a loan, and often the last. Learn how a credit SCORE is different from a credit REPORT, and find out how to get your credit score, for free...

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How to Upgrade Your Memory

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:16:39 +0000

Adding more memory to your computer is usually the most cost-effective way to get a significant performance boost. But choosing the right RAM for your computer, and finding the right amount at the lowest price, is often a mysterious challenge. A memory configurator can help you get it right. Here's how...

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Convert Vinyl Records to CD

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:43:20 +0000

For seasoned audio purists, nothing compares to good old-fashioned analog recordings on vinyl records. But those old records are fragile... here's a step-by-step guide to help you convert vinyl to CD so you can enjoy them for years to come.

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Geekly Update - 17 January 2012

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:21:56 +0000

Are iPads falling from space and crash landing in Area 51? Why can't you has cheezburger on Wednesday? And oh, I hear a whirring sound.... is that Steve Jobs rolling in his grave? Get answers to these burning questions, and the scoop on the latest tech news, in this edition of the Geekly Update. It's guaranteed to make you 146% smarter, read on...

Continue reading Geekly Update - 17 January 2012 // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Opera: The Best Worst Browser?

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:02:52 +0000

The Opera web browser is an unsung hero of the Internet. It's been around since 1994. Opera is the source of many innovations that competing browsers have copied. Yet many users have never heard of Opera, let alone tried it. Opera ranks dead last among the five major browsers in terms of market share, and yet it has a lot going for it. Should you switch? Let's take a deeper look...

Continue reading Opera: The Best Worst Browser? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Seven Search Alternatives to Google

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:43:12 +0000

Although Google is often used as a verb that's interchangeable with "search," it's not the only search engine. It's not even the runaway favorite that it used to be. In December 2011, Google still ranked first among search engines with a market share of 65.9 per cent. But that was down from over 84 per cent a year earlier. Let's see who's giving Google competition, and some other search tools that you should keep handy...

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Do I Still Need Anti-Spyware Protection?

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:59:25 +0000

"Do we still need both anti-virus and anti-spyware protection? I've always been told that, but I use Norton AntiVirus 2012, which claims to handle viruses, spyware and other threats. Is this sufficient, or should I still download an anti-spyware tool?"

Continue reading Do I Still Need Anti-Spyware Protection? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Geekly Update - 11 January 2012

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:10:15 +0000

Is Google peeking inside your refrigerator, and flicking your lights on and off during the night? Has the first edible big-screen TV arrived? And will Sony's latest tablet offering include a toaster slot? Get answers to these burning questions, and the scoop on the latest tech news, in this edition of the Geekly Update. It's guaranteed to make you 146% smarter, read on...

Continue reading Geekly Update - 11 January 2012 // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Cheap Phone Calls - MagicJack Alternatives

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:33:21 +0000

"I've had it with the phone company, so I'm checking out how to make free or cheap phone calls over the Internet. MagicJack seems popular, but some of the negative reviews are concerning to me. Are there any good alternatives to MagicJack that you can recommend?"

Continue reading Cheap Phone Calls - MagicJack Alternatives // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Ten Awesome Chrome Browser Addons

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:58:45 +0000

"I'm just getting started with Chrome, after becoming fed up with both Internet Explorer and Firefox. What addons do you recommend to make it even more useful? I'm especially interested in productivity apps and things that integrate with other tools on the web."

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Is My Hard Drive Dying?

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:21:58 +0000

"Sometimes I hear a clicking sound from my hard drive, but it's only occasionally. Does this mean my hard drive is going to crash soon? Are there any tests I can run to check the health of my hard drive?"

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Five HDTVs under $500

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:42:57 +0000

"I need help finding a good HDTV for under $500. The sheer number of brands, features, and confusing buzzwords has left me baffled, even after visiting two stores. What are the most important things to look for, and if you could recommend some specific models, that would be great!"

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Geekly Update - 04 January 2012

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:17:01 +0000

Is there a direct correlation between YouTube's most popular videos and the Mayan doomsday theory? Can Twitter predict when you will be happiest? And is there something you can do to stop the boss from sending you emails at 2AM? Get answers to these burning questions, and the scoop on the latest tech news, in this edition of the Geekly Update. It's guaranteed to make you 146% smarter, read on...

Continue reading Geekly Update - 04 January 2012 // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

Replace Desktop With Laptop?

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:21:11 +0000

"I'm thinking about getting a new computer, because mine is several years old. My friends seem to love their laptops, but I'm not sure they can fully replace my trusty desktop computer. Can a laptop really do everything, and are they as fast and powerful as desktop computers?"

Continue reading Replace Desktop With Laptop? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

What's The Smallest, Fastest and Best AntiVirus?

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:18:36 +0000

Most anti-virus programs and Internet security suites are resource hogs that take up a sizable chunk of your hard drive, and consume dozens of megabytes of precious system RAM. But there's a new kid on the block, and Webroot SecureAnywhere 2012 is here to say that smaller is better. It's blazingly fast, too. But is it the best of the bunch when it comes to protecting you online? Read on and find out...

Continue reading What's The Smallest, Fastest and Best AntiVirus? // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

AskBob's Best of 2011 - Part Two

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:59:20 +0000

Here's the second half of my Best of 2011, the most popular AskBobRankin articles fom the past year. I scoured my logs to find the ones that generated the most interest from YOU -- based on your views, clicks, comments and recommendations. Here's another batch of ten top articles for you to review. I hope you'll read each one, leave your own comments, and use the "Share" buttons to smarten up your Email, Facebook and Twitter friends. :-)

Continue reading AskBob's Best of 2011 - Part Two // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.

AskBob's Best of 2011 - Part One

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:33:05 +0000

The AskBob website was a busy place in 2011 -- over 340 new articles were published this year, pushing the total number to over 1100! Readers streamed in from all over the world, and since I'm a numbers guy, I scanned the server logs to find the most popular articles, based on your clicks, views and recommendations. Here are ten of the top articles for you to review. I hope you'll read each one and leave your own comments...

Continue reading AskBob's Best of 2011 - Part One // Got Computer Questions? Ask Bob Rankin for Free Tech Support.