Recent Comments
Comment by Jonathan on Free Phone Service With Ooma Telo? (April 11, 2024 09:08 PM)
We took the plunge and went with Ooma. I would not recommend the change, unless you really, really research it carefully, and are sure you understand ...
Comment by Ernest N. Wilcox Jr. (Oldster) on How to Send a Free Fax (April 9, 2024 11:56 PM)
I have an All-In-One Printer that includes a fax feature, but I've never used it because the cost of a second phone line for it is greater than my nee...
Comment by Renaud Olgiati on How to Send a Free Fax (April 9, 2024 11:13 PM)
If your computer does not have an internal fax-modem card, that simple solution is to use a USB fax-modem. I have been using for years one made by Tre...
Comment by Ryan James on How to Send a Free Fax (April 9, 2024 06:52 PM)
Living in Ecuador, I have been doing volunteer service registering US citizens to vote in the November election. Each state has its own rules, but ...
Comment by Frances on Geekly Update - 13 Dec 2023 (all your data are belong to us...) (April 4, 2024 02:01 AM)
Geo, if you use Firefox try Reader View. On my computer, it's at the end of the line that shows the current URL - a rectangle containing 3 horizontal...
Comment by WTF? on [REVEALED] The Most Dangerous Person on the Web (March 29, 2024 08:18 PM)
I thought this was a tech site. Apparently it's yet another vile, degenerate political troll site. ...
Comment by hojo on Geekly Update - 27 March 2024 (March 28, 2024 02:27 AM)
read customer reviews on the topscan car scanner, wont work on many new car/trucks,thebig i got you, is a $20/mo charge to use their software,with I p...
Comment by Charley on Geekly Update - 27 March 2024 (March 27, 2024 10:48 PM)
There are lots of Bluetooth ODB scanners. I bought a Kitbest for $12 on Amazon that seems to work fine. I found plenty of free apps for it for my Andr...
Comment by Joe Wall on Should You X-Ray Your Computer? (March 25, 2024 05:20 PM)
Hello Bob, I’ve been receiving your newsletters for many years, and with my recent issue, I thought that I would send you a question. It has to do...
Comment by Margo S. on Software Piracy: A Victimless Crime? (March 24, 2024 07:45 PM)
Piracy is in the eye of the beholder. Ask yourself this: if freeware is available, why would anyone buy it from microsquish, etc? I view piracy as a...
Personal Articles
Your Electrons Needed (and a favor...)
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...
...Doctor, My Eyes!
Hi All! Today I’m taking a break from my usual job as Translator for the Technology Impaired, to share an “eye opening” story with my AskBob readers. If you’ve noticed I haven’t been publishing as regularly as usual lately, read on to see the reason for that. I think you’ll be glad you did...
...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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