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Credit Card Safety Online

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....

Five Things You Didn't Know Windows 7 Could Do

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......

Geekly Update February 10

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......

What is the Apple iPad?

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?...

Is Javascript the Same As Java?

"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......

What Is Java and Do I Need It?

Many websites tell you they have a "Java application" to show you and you need to enable Java on your end to run it. Is Java safe? Are there any potential downsides to installing it? Read on to find out......

Google Public DNS

Google recently announced its Public DNS service, which provides an alternative Domain Name Service (DNS) for any user connected to the Internet. Read on to find out why using this service could speed up your web surfing and provide other...

YouTube to MP3 Converter

YouTube is one of the most popular sites on the Web, and a very useful one. You can find a video or audio file of almost any song or subject on YouTube, and upload your own creations to share with...

Buying A Monitor

A good computer monitor is one of the best investments you can make. It can save your eyesight and make you more productive. Here are things to consider when buying a computer monitor......

Geekly Update December 29

Free Online College Courses

"What's the deal with online college courses... how can they be offered for free? Is there some catch involved, and will I get actual college credit if I take free online college classes?"...

Download Accelerator

"I download large files often, and I've noticed that my download speed varies quite a bit. Aside from upgrading my Internet connection, what can I do to accelerate my downloads?"...

Free Alternatives to GoToMyPC

If you need to access your own computer or someone else's from a remote location, you probably already know about GoToMyPC, which is often advertised on radio and TV. GotoMyPC's remote access service costs $20/month. But did you know that...

Geekly Update November 17

Fake Antivirus Software

"Recently I got a popup warning me that a virus had infected my computer, and I needed to download some antivirus program to get rid of it. I did so, and later discovered it was a very slick FAKE security...

AVG 9 Review

AVG Technologies has been protecting computer users against viruses, spyware, and other malware since 1991. Its eponymous software, simply called "AVG" comes in a free version for personal "basic protection" use and a commercial version for "enhanced protection" use. The...

The Droid Phone

There's a certain segment of the population that is addicted to gizmos and gadgets. They're always waiting for the Next Big Thing. Those people are anxiously awaiting November 6, 2009, when the Motorola/Verizon Droid smartphone will be released to the...

Internet Explorer 8 Versus Firefox

Should you use Internet Explorer version 8, or the new Firefox version 3.5? Which is better, faster, easier to use? Read on for my comparison of the latest versions of the two most popular browsers......

Microsoft Office Web Apps

Office Web Apps is Microsoft's answer to Google Docs and other online office apps. Even if you don't have MS Office installed on your computer, you will be able to create, edit, save, and share Office documents with other people...

Piggyback Downloads

"Suddenly my web browser is cluttered with toolbars that I never asked for. I delete them, but sometimes they come back. Why is this happening, and how do I get rid of all those unwanted toolbars?"...

Which Linux Version Is Right For Me?

"I understand there are many variations on the Linux theme. I want to try Linux as a free alternative to Windows, but I feel like I'm in a diner with too many options on the menu. Can you give me...

Startup Programs

If you feel your computer is sluggish, what's going on? One reason could be your Windows startup programs. let's take a look at how to manage your startup programs, and pump some speed back into your system......

Internet Explorer 8 Crashes

Many users report that Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 locks up or even crashes their entire PC, under a variety of circumstances. They want to know why. Here's the scoop......

Geekly Update September 29

Here's your Geekly Update for the week of September 29th, presented in small bytes. Get the scoop on gadgets & hardware, security patches, browser news, social networking, web tech and search engines. Read on......

What Is Silverlight And Do I Need It?

"Whenever I go to Microsoft's website, it nags me to install a thing called Silverlight. What is Silverlight, and do I really need it on my computer?"...

Can My Boss See What I Do Online?

"Like most people, I do a little personal web browsing at work. But I'm wondering... Can my boss see what websites I visit?"...

Geekly Update September 21

Here's your Geekly Update for the week of September 21st, presented in small bytes. Get the scoop on gadgets & hardware, security patches, browser news, social networking, web tech and search engines. Read on......

Google Results By Date And Time

"I'm doing some Google searches for news stories that happened several years ago. But all the top results are for the most current or most 'popular' pages on my keywords. Can I tell Google limit my search results to specific...

Geekly Update September 15

Here's your Geekly Update for the week of September 15th, presented in small bytes. Get the scoop on gadgets & hardware, security patches, browser news, social networking, web tech and search engines. Read on......

Geekly Update September 8

Here's your Geekly Update for the week of September 8th, presented in small bytes. Get the scoop on gadgets & hardware, security patches, browser news, social networking, web tech and search engines. Read on......

Which Blackberry Should I Buy?

So you've decided that the time is right to join the BlackBerry revolution, but there are so many options. RIM offers 5 different Blackberry models -- Pearl, Curve, Storm, Bold and Tour -- so let's take an in-depth look to...

Geekly Update September 2

Here's your Geekly Update for the week of August 24th, presented in small bytes. Get the scoop on gadgets & hardware, security patches, browser news, social networking, web tech and search engines. Read on......

Geekly Update August 24

Geekly Update August 17

Here's your Geekly Update for the week of August 17th, presented in small bytes. Get the scoop on gadgets & hardware, security patches, browser news, social networking, web tech and search engines. Read on......

Netbook Or Laptop?

What is a netbook? And what's the difference between a netbook and a laptop? You may be standing in a store asking yourself these questions soon. Here are the answers......

Geekly Update August 10

Here's your Geekly Update for the week of August 10th, presented in small bytes. Get the scoop on gadgets & hardware, security patches, browser news, social networking, web tech and search engines. Read on......

Securing Your Router

Your router is the box that feeds your high-speed internet connection into your computer. But is it also an open door to hackers, crackers and wifi moochers? Learn how to secure your router…...

Geekly Update August 3

Here's your Geekly Update for the week of August 3rd, presented in small bytes. Get the scoop on gadgets & hardware, security patches, browser news, social networking, web tech and search engines. Read on......

Geekly Update July 27

Here's your Geekly Update for the week of July 27th, presented in small bytes. Get the scoop on gadgets & hardware, security patches, browser news, social networking, web tech and search engines. Read on......

Geekly Update July 21

Here's your Geekly Update for the week of July 20th, presented in small bytes. Get the scoop on gadgets & hardware, security patches, browser news, social networking, web tech and search engines. Read on......

How to Hide Your IP Address

"I'm concerned about my online privacy, so I want to hide my IP address. How can I do this?"...

Geekly Update July 13

Here's your Geekly Update for the week of July 13th, presented in small bytes. Get the scoop on gadgets & hardware, security patches, browser news, social networking, web tech and search engines. Read on......

Ubuntu Jaunty Jackalope

Ubuntu, Gnome, desktop, operating system, OpenOffice

Windows 7 Desktop Customization

I downloaded the Windows 7 beta and have been trying out all the cool new desktop customization features. Here are some of the highlights......

Geekly Update - July 6

Here's your Geekly Update for the week of June 29th, presented in small bytes. Get the scoop on gadgets & hardware, security patches, browser news, social networking, web tech and search engines. Read on......

Geekly Update - June 29

Geekly Update - June 22

Here's your Geekly Update for the week of June 22nd, presented in small bytes. Get the scoop on gadgets & hardware, security patches, browser news, social networking, web tech and search engines. Read on......

Privacy Software

"I'm concerned about threats to my privacy while using my home computer. Can you recommend any good tools to help me use my computer and navigate the web safely, without compromising my privacy?"...

Twitter Tools Twelve

Using Twitter doesn't automatically make you cool. But if you put a bunch of these awesome Twitter tools, apps and addons to work for you, the chances of achieving a higher standing in the twittosphere are greatly increased......

Internet Radio

Internet radio allows you to listen to online radio stations on your computer or on a mobile device. But of course, the Internet is much cooler than a radio, so Internet radio lets you do all kinds of things you...

What is OpenDNS?

"What exactly is OpenDNS? I've heard that it can be used to make your Internet access faster, but I'm a little fuzzy on how it works, and if there are any gotchas I should know about."...

Internet Explorer 8

"Should I upgrade to Internet Explorer 8? How does it compare to Firefox, when it comes to features, speed and security?"...

The Lexicon of Online Evil

Hackers, black hats, cyber-criminals, identity thieves, and spam kings -- these are some of the Bad Guys in the online world. And because of them, we've had to invent a whole new vocabulary to describe the dastardly deeds they do....

Laptop Security

The mobility that laptops and notebook computers provide has made it imperative for users to take steps to secure their computers. There are several simple things that you can do to keep your laptop safe. Read on to learn how...

Private Browsing

"Some browsers now have a 'private browsing' mode which is supposed to eliminate your tracks while surfing the web. How well does this work in practice, and which browsers support the private browsing feature?"...

Portable Apps

Did you know that you can load up a flash drive with your favorite programs and run them on any computer, without installing, directly from the portable drive? Here's the scoop on portable apps......

Magic Jack - Good or Evil?

Perhaps you've read reports about spyware in Magic Jack, or heard claims that the company sells your private information to third parties. Here's the scoop......

Best Web Browser?

"I have friends who have stopped using Internet Explorer and they're always telling me that Firefox or some other browser is better. What are my choices, and which one is best for the average internet user?"...

How To Mess Up Your Computer

Aside from actually drop-kicking it or smashing it with a sledge hammer, it's fairly difficult to actually "break" a computer. That said, there are a number of ways to render your computer just slightly more useful than a doorstop. Certain...

Cloud Computing

"I'm hearing the term Cloud Computing more and more. One friend told me that it means computers will soon not need a hard drive. Is that correct?"...

Download YouTube Videos

So you found the coolest video on YouTube, and you want to download it to your computer. But how do you download YouTube videos? There's no obvious way on the YouTube site, but there are some easy ways to download...

Mini Laptops

"I'm considering buying one of those netbook mini-laptops for my daughter. Can they do everything that the larger laptops do? Can you recommend any specific mini laptop models?"...

Internet Security Cameras

"I have someone in my home during the day to clean and do childcare. Can I install a wireless security camera that can be monitored over the internet? I'd like to be able to look in during the day from...

Gmail Labs

Gmail has been my favorite web-based email service for several years, and one of the things I like is that they're always adding new features and experimenting with various options to make it easier to use. Have you heard what's...

Malware Scanners

"There are so many malware scanners to choose from, when trying to protect against adware, spyware and other online threats. Which one(s) do you recommend?"...

What is Scribd?

Scribd is a type of a social networking website that allows you to publish all kinds of documents and images to the web. It's great for people who have something to share with the world but don't have a website,...

Wanna Wubi?

If you've always wanted to try out Linux but were afraid it would mess up your current Windows system, Wubi is a free, painless solution for installing Ubuntu Linux. Here's how......

The Chrome Browser

Google is now in the browser business. Chrome is the name of Google's new web browser, aimed squarely at competing with Microsoft Internet Explorer. So how does Chrome differ from IE, Firefox, Safari and other browsers? Read on for details...

Free Internet Faxing

Why use an expensive and complicated fax machine when there are so many Internet alternatives? Some even allow you to send and receive faxes online for free. Here's a roundup of free Internet fax services......

Online Photo Editing

"What do you recommend for quick photo editing when you're away from your own computer and you don't have PhotoShop or something similar available?"...

Accessing Blocked Websites

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...

My Favorite Software

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...

Samsung Instinct Review

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?...

Search Privacy

"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?"...

Is Privacy History?

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...

Voyager Versus iPhone

"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."...

Ubuntu Hardy Heron

"I'm hearing good things about the latest Ubuntu Linux. Is there anything compelling enough in the latest release to save me from installing Vista on my next machine? Kinda hoping so..."...

Ubuntu Linux Gutsy Gibbon

Is Linux ready for the masses? Or is it still a geeks club? The new Ubuntu Linux Gutsy Gibbon puts a little more polish on the Linux desktop and moves the focus toward everyday users. Check out the new features...

Mac OS X Leopard

Apple's newest operating system, released in the Fall of 2007, is Mac OS X Leopard. Like it's feline namesake, this OS is slick and sleek and features all the multimedia bells and whistles Apple users have come to expect. Since...

Cheap Desktop Computers

"I'm looking for a basic entry-level desktop computer to give to a high-school student as a Christmas gift. What do you recommend in the budget category that can handle web surfing, email and word processing?"...

Firefox Version 3

"I just read that Firefox 3 is now available. What new features does it have, and should I upgrade now, or wait a while?"...

Running Linux In Windows

So you're ready to explore Linux, an operating system alternative to Windows or Mac. But you don't have an extra computer laying around. No problem... you can run Linux on your existing computer, without messing up your Windows system. Here's...

Online Meeting Services

"I need to share Powerpoint presentations with a large group of people. Which online meeting service should I use?"...

XO - The $200 Laptop

"I've read about the '$200 XO Laptop' that's being promoted by the One Laptop Per Child organization. I think it's great that these will be given to children in poor countries, but is it possible to buy an XO laptop...

What is Google Pack?

Google Pack is a collection of useful software programs that have been gathered together by Google. It was originally designed to accompany new computer packages as a starter set of productivity, office and entertainment software, but anyone can download the...

What is Twitter?

"What's the deal with Twitter? Some of my friends are telling me how great it is, but when I checked out the site, it seems like just a stream of random personal comments from people who don't even know each...

Sharing A Hard Drive Online

"I have photos, MP3s and some Word documents on my hard drive. How can I share my hard drive online so that just certain people can access my files? My colleagues have Internet access but we do not share a...

Facebook Applications

"On Facebook, I always get invitations to add 'applications' to my profile. Some sound interesting, but I'm not even sure what an application is. Are they part of Facebook, or something from the outside? Do I need to worry about...

Computer Privacy At Work

Can the boss really see when you're surfing the Internet at work? Can the geeks from the IT Department monitor everything you do on your PC? Are any of them keeping tabs on those last twenty minutes of your lunch...

Do Not Call Registry

"I keep getting emails from friends about adding my cell phone to a Do Not Call registry. Looks like a scam to me... Is the Do Not Call Registry for real, and if so, should I put both my home...

No iPhone For Me

Apple's iPhone seems like the coolest gadget to hit the streets in a long time. It slices, it dices, it can browse the web, manage your calendar, take pictures, and even make a phone call. But here's why I'm NOT...

Remembering Passwords

Passwords... we have a love/hate relationship with them. We love them because they are the first line of defense against fraud and identity theft. They protect the security of our email account, online banking and credit card purchases. We hate...

Hard Drive Recovery

If it hasn't happened yet, be sure that it will... you're working away on an important project and the computer freezes. You reboot, but instead of the familiar startup screen, you black screen with one of these ominous messages: DISK...

Ubuntu Linux Feisty Fawn

Ubuntu Linux 7.04 (Feisty Fawn), was recently released, and from installation to every day use, this version is the best so far. Read on to see what's new in this release for diehard Linux users and tire kickers, too......

Switching From Windows To Linux

If you thought computers only came in two flavors, think again. There are other operating systems besides Mac and Windows. In fact, most of the computers that power the Internet are running Linux. This free operating system is robust, secure...

Is Webmail Better?

"I'm thinking about switching from Outlook Express to a webmail service. What are the trade-offs? Are some better than others? Is webmail secure?"...

Video Conferencing

Videoconferencing, once primarily used for long distance business meetings, is becoming more accessible. Got a webcam? Here's how you can start videoconferencing on the web......

Online Backup

Periodically creating a backup of your computer files is critically important to the preservation of your work, your entertainment and your memories. In the event that your system is corrupted by a virus, natural disaster or hardware malfunction you must...

Adding Memory

If your computer seems to stagger under the burden of your commands, responding slowly, freezing or timing you out; if working at your system feels like bicycling uphill, consider adding extra memory. Adding memory to your computer isn't so hard...

Switching From Windows to Mac

Devoted fans of Macs and PCs have been in heated debate for years, even before those "I'm a Mac", "I'm a PC" commercials ever appeared. Let's set aside the question of which camp is "right" and focus on the reasons...

Tricking Out Firefox

Firefox is an open source web browser that is rapidly gaining in popularity - approaching 100 million users worldwide and grabbing 15 percent of the browser market from Internet Explorer. A casual user might not even notice the difference between...

Anonymous Web Surfing

Going online can be like taking a walk in the park after midnight. Behind every tree there may be someone getting ready to mug you. This article will tell you how to surf the web with a higher level of...

What is Podcasting?

"Hey Bob, what's a podcast? Is this some kind of broadcast just for people with iPods?"...

Phishing Scams

"I got a note from my bank about phishing scams, but I'm still not sure what it means. Can you explain in simple terms what phishing is all about?"...

What is Web 2.0?

"I keep seeing articles that mention something called Web 2.0, but they never give a good definition. What is Web 2.0? How is it different than the one Al Gore invented, and when is Web 3.0 coming?"...

Search Engine News

Tired of the same old search engine? In this article you'll find reviews of some new Internet search tools with all the bells and whistles......

Free Office Software

"I just got a new computer but it doesn't have Microsoft Word. And the Microsoft Office package is WAY expensive... are there any good alternatives for cheap or free office software?"...

Social Bookmarking

"What is social bookmarking, and how is it different from a regular bookmark or favorite in my browser?"...

What is YouTube?

YouTube is a video-sharing website that is changing American culture. It seems that every day, some short video clip on YouTube makes headline news. Here's the story behind the phenomenal success of YouTube, and some tips on how you can...

Hide Myspace Friends?

"I added some code for hiding my friends list on Myspace, but my ex-friend somehow got the whole list and sent it to me as proof. How did she do this? Isn't that a security problem on Myspace?"...

Hide Your SSID?

"I have a wireless network at home, which lets me get an internet connection on my laptop all over the house. But I'm concerned that neighbors or people driving by can hack into my computer. A friend said that hiding...

Is Genuine Advantage Spyware?

"I read in another newsletter that Microsoft's Genuine Advantage for Windows is spyware. Microsoft seems to be forcing it on me every time I try to update my system. Is Microsoft trying to poke into our private files with spyware?"...

Revealing Your Email Address

Last week I did a search for dolls (I'm a collector) and accidentally wound up visiting an adult site that sells dolls of a very different sort! Now it seems like I'm getting a lot more adult-related spam than ever....

FireFox Extensions

"I switched to FireFox because I like some of the unique features it offers. I've heard people talk about Firefox extensions that sound really cool, but I'm not sure if they are safe to use, given all the concerns about...

Play WMV on Mac

"I have a WMV (Windows Media) video file. But of course I don't have Windows Media Player on my Mac. Can I play this video with QuickTime on the Mac, or convert it to MPEG format?"...

Wasting Bandwidth?

"A friend asked about downloading a file from a website and going to bed while the file downloads. If the download finishes and I'm still on that site without actively doing anything for hours, does this waste that site's bandwidth...

Add Hard Drive Song to Myspace

"I have a song on my hard drive (an MP3 music file) and I want to add this song to my Myspace profile. I don't want to use a song from the Myspace Music library, the song is already on...

LimeWire - File Sharing

"My kids are using something called LimeWire to download music and videos. They call it a a P2P file sharing program. Can you explain what that means, and how safe it is to use?"...

Spyware or Virus?

"I had an anti virus program by McAfee but uninstalled because it was bogging my computer down. I now have anti spyware software, so do I still need to get an anti virus program? What is the difference between viruses...

Linux Help

"I've heard a lot of buzz about Linux as a free alternative to Windows, but have hesitated because it seems a little geeky. Can you recommend an easy way to get started with Linux?"...

Currency Converter

How many Drachmas in a Dinar? How many Rupees can you get for a hundred Rubles? In what countries are the official currencies called the Zloty and the Punt? A visit to the Universal Currency Converter will answer all these...

Banning Myspace

"My school has banned Myspace, so we can't access it from any computer in the school. They are also making new rules about what we can post on our private Myspace profiles. One kid got suspended for criticizing the principal...

Weather Forecast

"I know there are plenty of websites where I can go to find the weather conditions. But can I get my local weather forecast delivered automatically to my desktop or inbox every morning?"...

Blocking Myspace

"My daughter is 12 years old and I just found out she has a Myspace account with some stuff that's not appropriate. The account was deleted, but I want to make sure she has no access to Myspace in the...

Myspace Graphics

So you have a Myspace profile... big deal, so do 70 million other people. What will set yours apart from all the others? Myspace Graphics! Here's how to add graphics to your Myspace profile......

Add Music to Myspace

Have you ever visited a friend's Myspace profile and they had some cool music playing when the profile is displayed? Here's how you can add music to your Myspace profile......

Online Games

Looking for some challenging word play, or a little mindless diversion? Here are a bunch of websites where you can play online web-based games right in your web browser. Most of them are programmed with Shockwave, Flash or Java so...

Computer Restarts Itself

"My PC running on Windows XP frequently restarts it self for no apparent reason. Any files or internet pages I have been working on are lost. The PC reboots to the desktop and I have to redo all my work....

Eat Your Cookies

I often get mail from people who misunderstand or fear browser cookies, so I've written a a guide that tells you everything need to know about these tasty little critters. Read on for a closer look at the good, the...

Identity Theft

Remember that 1995 movie "The Net", starring Sandra Bullock? Okay, I didn't see it either. Somehow I couldn't imagine Sandra as a software engineer after watching her in "While You Were Sleeping". But I digress... the movie was a story...

Should I Buy Anti-Spyware or Anti-Virus Software?

"Task Manager shows I have 50+ processes running, and I have no idea which ones are slowing down my system. Should I regularly run SpyBot, AdAware and other freeware, or should I pay for a supposedly better program? I read...

Wireless Security

"Is it safe to use wireless Internet access in my home? I've heard that neighbors or even people driving by can tap in to my wireless signal. There must be a way to do it safely, since it's so common...

One Laptop Per Child

Nicholas Negroponte has a dream... to provide a laptop with internet access to hundreds of millions of children in developing countries around the world. Negroponte's "One Laptop Per Child" is a non-profit group that has been working for several years...

Cannot Access Secure Sites

I have Windows XP SP2, and within the past two weeks I have not been able to get into any secure (https) sites. I can get to the web page, but when I enter my userid and password, it says...

Free Internet Software

So, you've got a web browser and an email program... Is that all the Internet software you'll ever need? Maybe, but first take a look at some of the nifty tools that are reviewed in this article. I think you'll...

Remote Access to Your Computer

"I carry a laptop when I travel, but I always seem to forget some important files at home on my desktop PC. Is there some way I can access the files on my home computer through the Internet?"...

Web Moments That Changed the World

The folks at the Webby Awards are celebrating their 10th anniversary by compiling a list of 10 Web Moments That Changed the World. Some of them I agree are significant, others are ho-hum. And certainly there are some biggies missing...

Internet Innovators: Dave Taylor

Back in 1995-96 I worked for BoardWatch Magazine, covering the world of Bulletin Board Systems and the fledgling Internet. One of my favorite parts of that job was interviewing prominent netizens of the day. Some may boast about being self-made...

Do I Need a Firewall?

"I've heard conflicting reports on whether or not I should be using a firewall. Some people say they are only needed for dialup users. Others say you MUST have a firewall if you have a highspeed DSL or cable connection....

Clearing Browser History

"How do I clear the list of sites visited in my web browser? There are some nosy people in my office and I don't want them to be able to see what web sites I have visited."...

Saving Word Files as HTML

"When I use the 'Save As' feature in Microsoft Word to save a document as a web page, the resulting HTML is a bloated mess. Is all that formatting stuff really needed? If not, is there a way to get...

Firefox and Earthlink

"I've heard that I should switch to Firefox, but my ISP Earthlink tells me that Earthlink can only use Internet Explorer as its default browser and made it sound like I'd get into a bunch of trouble if I even...

What is RSS?

I keep hearing about RSS, XML and RSS feeds. I have only a vague idea of what they are, but then people start talking about RSS aggregators, and I get really confused. What are they talking about and why would...

The Nerds of Words

Everyone knows that Nail-Biting Refreshes The Feet. Oops! I meant to say that The Best Things In Life Are Free. How did that come out so wrong? I must have had my brain hooked up to that anagram generator too...

Paypal and Ebay Phishing Scams

"I keep getting warnings and alerts from Paypal, eBay, my bank, and various other banks and financial institutions that I don't even have accounts with, all telling me to log in and verify my account information. I've read about something...

Sharing Browser Favorites

When I installed Firefox I was able to transfer favourites from Internet Explorer. I still use both browsers, so now that I have added more bookmarks to Firefox is it possible to share or transfer them to Internet Explorer?...

Is FTP Secure?

"I got a warning that FTP was not secure any more and that I should go to WinSCP for a fix. I am not very tech-savvy, so I depend on you to keep my computer healthy. So - is this...

Copying Old Hard Drive to New PC

"When I buy a new computer, how do I transfer everything from the hard drive on my old computer? I enjoy the Tourbus and appreciate all the information you provide." If you bought a new computer, or just a new...

Downloading Security Patches

"I get messages informing me of viruses and asking me to download patches at www.spw5e.com and www.updatepatch.info. Are these downloads safe?" Ackkkk, NO! Run for the hills!...

How can I avoid computer viruses?

When I wrote in a previous entry "Do I need anti-virus software?" that "You CANNOT get a virus just by opening or reading your email" I fully expected it would unleash a torrent of emails in response. I knew this...

Spy, Counter-Spy

Is your computer running slower than usual? Has your browser's start page been hijacked? Having trouble reaching your favorite search engine? Popups driving you crazy? Most likely your computer is infested with spyware, the cockroaches of the digital age....

Do I need anti-virus software?

I have an unorthodox strategy for dealing with computer viruses. It doesn't involve the use of firewalls or anti-virus software. But if everyone understood the simple virus safety tips I'll outline here, the virus writers would get very bored very...

Search Tips

For best results, use just ONE or TWO keywords. This search engine looks for all words in any order. To search for an exact phrase, enclose the phrase in quotes. You may also use AND, OR, and NOT keywords to specify boolean expressions. For example:

"format drive"

spyware OR virus

phone NOT cell

.Need tech support? Go ahead... Ask Bob about computers, technology, gadgets or the Internet!

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