Ask Bob Rankin

Credit Card Safety Online

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:25:19 +0000

It's the age of e-commerce. Millions of people spend billions of dollars online every day. And the usual method of payment is a credit card. Some people hesitate to provide their credit card numbers to e-commerce sites for various reasons. Do these concerns have merit? Is it safe to use credit cards for online purchases? Let's find out...

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Geekly Update March 16

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:47:17 +0000

Here's your Geekly Update for this week, presented in small bytes. Get the scoop on gadgets & hardware, computer security, online happenings, social networking, web tech and search engines. Read on...

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Free Fax Number

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:26:45 +0000

"Every once in a while, I need to receive a fax, but I don't have my own fax machine. It's embarassing to tell business contacts that my fax number is the local Kinko's, and it's a hassle to drive there and retrieve my fax. Is there any way to get a free fax number for inbound faxes?"

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Geekly Update March 9

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:01:30 +0000

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Track Cell Phone

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:46:04 +0000

There are many reasons you might want to locate a cell phone and track its movements. Perhaps you lost your phone and would like it back. You might be an anxious parent, a government agent, or you could be part of a group of friends who want to keep tabs during a night on the town. Whatever your reason for tracking a cell phone, there are several ways to go about doing it. Here's the scoop on cell phone tracking...

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Speed Up Your Laptop

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:08:16 +0000

"My laptop is only a year old, but it seems to be running slower than when it was new. And it's definitely a lot slower than my desktop for most things. What can I do to speed up my laptop?"

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Has Your Computer Been Hijacked?

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:51:32 +0000

Computer hijacking happens when someone snatches control of your computer and makes it do his evil bidding. This is bad not only for the owner of the computer but also for the millions of Internet users against which the hijacked machine is used. Here's how to defend yourself against computer hijacking...

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Dead Pixel on Monitor

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:24:23 +0000

Sometimes that tiny spot on your monitor screen just won't come off, no matter how you scrub. That may be because it's not dirt but a dead or stuck pixel. Dead pixels are as annoying as flyspecks when you're trying to read a screen. Is there anything you can do to avoid dead pixels and their opposites - stuck pixels that remain too bright?

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Is Your Laptop Overheating?

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:12:41 +0000

Laptop computers get hot. All those electronic components crammed solidly into a small space generate lots of excess heat. The heat can shorten the life of the electronics, and it can be uncomfortable for the user balancing a laptop on his or her lap. So what can you do to cool your laptop? Read on...

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How to Replace a Hard Drive

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 23:07:59 +0000

Replacing a hard drive in your desktop or laptop computer is pretty simple. You just have to pay attention to a few details. Here's a step-by-step guide to replacing your hard drive...

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Geekly Update February 22

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:39:40 +0000

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Should You Get 64-Bit Windows?

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:13:15 +0000

Most computer users, and new computers sold, use 32-bit technology and can only run 32-bit Windows. But faster 64-bit computers and 64-bit versions of the Windows operating system are also available. Is moving to 64-bit Windows the right move? Let's look at the pros and cons...

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Update Your Device Drivers

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:22:51 +0000

Device drivers are software packages that keep many parts of your computer system running and working together smoothly. As you change the hardware and software components of your system, the device drivers on it may become obsolete. It's important to keep your device drivers up to date. Here's how...

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Five Things You Didn't Know Windows 7 Could Do

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:02:42 +0000

Windows 7 is still fairly new. It's full of little differences from earlier Windows versions, and surprises buried deeply in its complex features. Here are a few things you can do with Windows 7 that many people don't know about...

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More Than One Antivirus Program?

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:44:38 +0000

"I'm not sure which anti-virus program is installed on my computer. I think I might even have more than one. How can I find out which one I have, and is it good to have multiple anti-virus programs?"

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Geekly Update February 10

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:03:15 +0000

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Windows Taskbar Tips and Tricks

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:43:45 +0000

The Windows taskbar - that narrow strip of icons at the bottom of your screen - is a nuisance to some and a fertile world of productivity for others. Learn the non-obvious secrets of the taskbar, you'll be glad you did. Read on and learn how to master the taskbar...

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Recovery Disc for Windows Vista or Windows 7

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:30:41 +0000

When you buy a new PC these days, it is rare to receive a bundled CD-ROM or DVD disc containing the Recovery Disc software that you can use to try to repair or reinstall your operating system in the event of a catastrophe. Here's how to create a Recovery disk that you can use when your computer won't boot up normally from the hard drive...

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What is Quantum Computing?

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:34:32 +0000

"I'm trying to wrap my head around the concept of quantum computing. Can you explain it in plain English, and tell me if this is something that's available now, or if it's still in the concept phase?"

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Geekly Update February 3

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:35:14 +0000

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How Long Do Flash Drives Last?

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:34:16 +0000

Flash drives are an increasingly popular form of portable storage. Some people predict that flash drives will replace hard drives in time, just as optical disks replaced floppy disks. But are flash drives as safe as other mass storage media for long-term archiving of irreplaceable data? Do flash drives ever wear out and have to be replaced? Are all flash drives created equal -- except for their capacities -- or are there differences in quality and durability to consider?

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What is the Apple iPad?

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:33:52 +0000

After months of rumor and hype unrivaled since Windows Vista was conceived, Apple finally revealed the final form of its iPad tablet computer on Wednesday, January 27, 2010. What's it all about, and what does it mean to you?

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Repair Vista or Windows 7

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:10:05 +0000

A hard drive glitch, virus, or other data catastrophe can delete or damage critical system files in any operating system. Windows Vista and Windows 7 offer new repair procedures not found in earlier versions of Windows. Here are a couple ways to attempt repairs of Vista and Windows 7 installations without having to reformat and reinstall Windows from scratch...

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Geekly Update January 26

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:08:51 +0000

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Are Online Backup Services Safe?

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:24:03 +0000

The recent hack of Google by Chinese espionage agencies has raised concerns about the security and safety of online backup services. Is the protection provided by Mozy, Carbonite and other popular backup services enough to keep your files safe from prying eyes?

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Is Javascript the Same As Java?

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:33:30 +0000

"Please enable Javascript in your browser," says a Web site. What is Javascript and should you enable it? You already have the Java runtime installed, so why doesn't Javascript run? These are some common questions. Here are the answers...

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Wireless Networking

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:43:25 +0000

Wireless networking has become the standard in homes and small offices. A wireless network eliminates cable clutter; makes it easy to move computers, printers, scanners, and other devices to convenient places as needed; and provides visitors with quick access to the Internet and other network resources. Here's how it all works…

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Cleaning a Monitor

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:43:56 +0000

Computer screens get dusty, dirty, and dingy just like windows. But unlike glass windows, computer screens are complex, sensitive electronic devices that can be damaged by incorrect cleaning. Here's how to clean various types of computer screens safely...

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Backup Software

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:42:37 +0000

"Do I really need backup software? Hard drives are so much more reliable now than years ago, so a good drive should last longer than the useful lifespan of a computer. Right?"

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Geekly Update January 19

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:35:21 +0000

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