Recent Comments
Comment by BaliRob on How Good is Your Cybersecurity? (March 23, 2023 01:07 PM)
@Bob K Malwarebytes used them on and off since their inception. Still have them in my Android where they failed abysmally to cure a virus intruder ...
Comment by RandiO on How Good is Your Cybersecurity? (March 22, 2023 06:21 PM)
This 'Oldster' has never used any other password manager than the ol' reliable (OpenSource) KeePass. My 560+ entry database stays local and hidden fro...
Comment by Oldster on How Good is Your Cybersecurity? (March 22, 2023 08:23 AM)
I believe that my cyber security efforts have paid off. I have never suffered a malware issue since the late 1990s when I got a virus from a program I...
Comment by Dave on How Good is Your Cybersecurity? (March 22, 2023 03:59 AM)
No problems at all since your first translation of PCMatic. Please continue with your awesome lessons Professor....
Comment by RandiO on How Good is Your Cybersecurity? (March 22, 2023 02:21 AM)
Thank you for your translations all these years (decade+?). Do my chances of getting hacked go up, longer I haven't been? Or does it mean that I am d...
Comment by Bob K on How Good is Your Cybersecurity? (March 22, 2023 01:49 AM)
One word: Malwarebytes. PS: No worries. -Bob K...
Comment by Steveg on How Good is Your Cybersecurity? (March 22, 2023 12:58 AM)
I haven't had a problem or given security a thought since I installed PCMatic. Good stuff....
Comment by Brian B on Should You X-Ray Your Computer? (March 18, 2023 12:37 AM)
Hi Bob, Can I just make one point to make it easier for dummies like me? You often give advice on software that allows users to check our machines an...
Comment by John Anderson on Should You X-Ray Your Computer? (March 17, 2023 04:28 PM)
I've been using Belarc to keep track of my computer for years. With the advent of a new desktop computer in 2021. Belarc currently shows two missing i...
Comment by lar p on Should You X-Ray Your Computer? (March 17, 2023 03:50 PM)
"When I saw the subject of your email, I thought you were going to talk about whether to put your PC through the airport x-ray machines. " same here ....
Personal Articles
Can You Spare a Few Electrons?
I love my job. Every day, I help people use computers and the Internet, answering their questions and pointing them to resources that will save them time, trouble, or money. I especially love it when readers become friends and people tell me that they're using what they've learned here to help others. It's very satisfying, but there is one favor I'd like to ask of you. Please read on...
...Hey, It's My (digital) Birthday!
Today I'm celebrating a birthday. It was 24 years ago, in July 1995, that The Internet Tourbus first rolled out into cyberspace. And ten years later, AskBobRankin.com was born. With thanks to awesome readers like you, I'll keep on keeping on, with my continuing guaranteed to make you better looking and 146% smarter. Read on!
...A Big Milestone + Geekly Update
Today I'm celebrating an anniversary -- 20 years of online publishing! The Internet Tourbus first rolled out into cyberspace in July 1995, and ten years later, AskBobRankin.com was born. With thanks to awesome readers like you, I'll keep on keeping on. Today's Geekly Update is an expanded version, with twenty items that are guaranteed to make you 146% smarter. Read, think and comment!
...Announcing... The Rankin File!
I've started a new website, and what better day to officially announce it than on my birthday? The Rankin File offers 'small business tech and tips' for those who run their own business. If you have a home-based business, a small business with employees, or you're even thinking about starting your own business, The Rankin File is for you! And as the name suggests, it's not just for business owners. If you're a secretary, office manager, or wannabe techie, my tips will help you score points with the boss. Read on to learn more about what you'll find in the Rankin File...
...Tourbus - The Final Bus Stop
In case you haven't heard, The Internet Tourbus is rolling up to its final stop. After 16 years of online publishing, Tourbus is one of the longest-running email newsletters. But two things have happened this year, prompting me to hit the brakes. Here's the full story...
...Who is Bob Rankin?
Every so often, people ask about my background, and how I got started with computers and the Internet. I've published bits and pieces of my bio before, but never a detailed account of my professional life. So here it is, with a few interesting personal asides...
...My Cholesterol Level is Too High!
After a routine physical, I got the news from my doctor that my cholesterol is too high. My diet is pretty healthy, and I'm not in bad shape for a 48-year-old guy. But this LDL and HDL stuff is a wakeup call for me. Clearly I need to exercise more and be aware of foods to avoid high cholesterol. So here's my 4-month plan to knock 40 or 50 points off that cholesterol number, without using any prescription drugs...
...Bonzai - It's a New Puppy!
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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