The Top Twenty
Category:
Reference
Every night a friendly robot looks through the Ask Bob logs to see which articles were the most popular over the past week. Here are the current Top Twenty, ranked by readership volume. If you missed any of these, take a few minutes to read and comment! |
- Backup For Gmail and Other Webmail Accounts
An AskBob reader says: “I've been using Gmail for over a year, and it works great. But I'm a little nervous that there's no obvious way to backup my contacts and email messages, just in case. Is there a solution you can recommend?” Yes, read on to learn how to back up your Gmail, Yahoo and Outlook.com email data. - Can You UN-erase a File or Folder?
A reader asks: “I accidentally deleted two folders that contained some very important files. I tried one of those free undelete programs, but it didn't find my files. Can you recommend a more powerful recovery tool? I'm willing to spend a few bucks if it really works.” Yes, I do have a recommendation. Read on to learn about this data recovery power tool... - Geekly Update - 29 June 2022
Are Internet Service Providers ganging up with cybercriminals to spread malware? Will politicians be exempted from Gmail's spam filtering algorithm? Is NASA launching microwave ovens into space? And did you hear about the dyslexic insomniac agnostic who stayed up all night wondering if there really is a dog? Get answers in today's Geekly Update... it's jam-packed with the latest tech news. This issue is guaranteed to make you 146% smarter -- you'll see why. Read, think, and, comment! - Send a Free Fax From Your Computer
Old-school fax machines are the dinosaurs of the communications world, but sending a fax from your computer is a convenient, money-saving way to communicate with people who insist on paper documents. There are several ways to send a free fax right from your computer, even if you don't have a fax machine. Here's how you can start faxing from your PC, Mac or mobile device... - Review: PC Matic Gets a Zero!
After years of hearing from AskBob readers about PC Matic, I finally decided it was time to give the popular antivirus and PC optimizer software a test drive. So 18 months ago, I did just that, and published my PC Matic review. At the time, I was impressed enough to ditch my current security software, and entrust my home and office computers to PC Matic. A year and a half later, I'm giving PC Matic a ZERO. But wait... that's actually a GOOD thing! Read on for my updated review and recommendation... - Yes, You Can Get Free Satellite TV
An AskBob reader asks: “Can I really get satellite TV for free? I've heard about free satellite TV channels one can receive with a free-to-air satellite receiver and dish. Is this true? If so, what satellite channels can I get, what equipment do I need, and is it legal?” The short answer is YES, you can. Read on to learn about free satellite TV options... - Here's How to Clean Computer Clutter
A computer is like a car in one respect: both tend to accumulate junk in hard-to-reach places. Cleaning out your car can be a messy, sweaty job with plenty of opportunities for back injuries. Cleaning out a PC is a more civilized affair. Here are some free tools to clean up your hard drive, improve system performance, and make sure your backups run smoothly... - 8+ Free Windows Troubleshooting Tools
An operating system is a complex beast. If things go wrong with Windows, it can be difficult to track down the source of the glitch. But you can put away the screwdriver, sledgehammer and chainsaw, because there are plenty of free troubleshooters you can use to fix most problems. Here's my recommended list of free Windows problem solvers… - Test and Fix Your Computer Hardware
Is your computer acting strangely? If you've already ruled out a virus, it might be gremlins. But more likely, a software error is being caused by a hardware component that's flaky, damaged, or overheated. Here are some tips and tools to help you diagnose and fix those annoying or intermittent computer problems that just seem to pop up for no apparent reason... - Can You Get a Virus from a QR Code?
You know a technology is catching on when malware creeps start using it to snare unwary users. QR codes, those little squares of black and white patterns that you see in various places are typically benign shortcuts for mobile users, but they can carry a nasty (and expensive) payload. Read on for the scoop... - What Happens to Your Data When You Die?
Benjamin Franklin famously said that nothing is certain except death and taxes. Sooner or later, we'll all kick the bucket, cash in our chips, or shed the mortal coil. Sure, you may have a will, but what happens to your digital assets – your data and online accounts? That's where digital estate planning comes into play. Think of it as having a backup plan to give those left behind, so they can access your data. Here’s what you need to know… - Geekly Update - 11 May 2022
Will humans outnumber little green men on Mars by the end of this decade? Can we trust Amazon reviews? How easy is it to crash Google Docs? And can you pay your mobile phone bill by watching ads? Get answers in today's Geekly Update... it's jam-packed with the latest tech news. This issue is guaranteed to make you 146% smarter -- you'll see why. Read, think, and, comment! - Free Home Phone Service With Ooma?
Have you seen those TV commercials for an odd-sounding gadget called Ooma that promises to replace your landline, virtually eliminate your phone bill, and give you crystal clear voice quality? Read on to see if this home phone device lives up to the hype... - Govt Spooks Say: Avoid These Security Mistakes
Cybersecurity agencies of the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom have kindly compiled a list of the top poor “cyber hygiene practices” that allow hackers, crackers and even slackers to compromise a victim’s computer. The report identifies common exploits that may allow unauthorized person to gain access to a poorly secured system. The Cybersecurity Advisory was published as a joint effort of the FBI, NSA, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, the UK's The National Cyber Security Centre, and security agencies in New Zealand and the Netherlands. Read on to learn which security mistakes you must avoid... - File History... and Bacon?
If you've used Time Machine on a Mac (or had to listen to a Mac owner brag about it), and wished there was something similar for Windows, here's good news. File History is a cool feature available in Windows 10 and 11 that can save your bacon by automatically making multiple backup copies of your important files. Here's how it works... - Speed Tips for Your Laptop
An AskBob reader wonders: “How can I speed up my laptop? It's so much slower than my desktop for most tasks, and it bogs down when I try to open more than one program. Should I replace the hard drive, add more memory, or take some other actions?” Check out my advice on how to improve the performance of your trusty laptop. Most of these tips will help if you have a desktop, too! Read on... - [SPEED] How Fast Is Satellite Internet?
If you live in a rural or remote area, your Internet access options are limited. DSL, fiber and cable internet service are not available in many thinly-populated areas. Forget about 5G and even 4G cellular access. For many rural residents, Internet access boils down to a choice between miserably slow dial-up and satellite Internet access. Read on to learn about the pros and cons of satellite internet service... - Search Backwards: Reverse Directory Lookups
Can you find the name of a person or business if all you know about them is a phone number or street address? What if all you have is an email address or a photo? This type of search is called a reverse directory lookup. Learn about the free and fee-based reverse search tools you can find online... - How Does Your Internet Speed Measure Up?
When your Internet seems sluggish, you might be wondering “How fast is my internet speed?” or “Why is my internet slow?” These are common questions, and there are quite a few definitions of internet speed, as well as several free ways to test it. Here's the scoop on Internet speed tests, and why you definitely should check your speed every once in a while. Read on... - Here's Why You Must Keep Your Software Updated (and how to do it for free)
The most common computer problems can be fixed or avoided altogether, simply by keeping all of your software up to date. Updates include patches for security vulnerabilities as well as fixes for bugs, new features, and improvements of existing features. Check out these free programs that will help you keep all your software updated, with just a few clicks...
|
|
|
This article was posted by Bob Rankin on 4 Mar 2009
| For Fun: Buy Bob a Snickers. |
 |
Prev Article: Is Pirate Bay Sinking? |
The Top Twenty |
Next Article: My New Phone is an iPod Touch |
 |
There's more reader feedback... See all 78 comments for this article.
Post your Comments, Questions or Suggestions
|
Free Tech Support -- Ask Bob Rankin Subscribe to AskBobRankin Updates: Free Newsletter Copyright © 2005 - Bob Rankin - All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy RSS/XML |
Article information: AskBobRankin -- The Top Twenty (Posted: 4 Mar 2009)
Source: https://askbobrankin.com/the_top_twenty.html
Copyright © 2005 - Bob Rankin - All Rights Reserved
Most recent comments on "The Top Twenty"
(See all 78 comments for this article.)Posted by:
Sandy Lumsden
01 Apr 2016
why oh why does windows behave the way it does, I seriously considered using a Linux operating System but Microsoft even make that difficult, so I will continue using windows 10 until I can afford an Apple Mac.One thing I am sure of I will not be using Windows for ever,for I am fed-up with programs not working.
Posted by:
Yvonne Mathis
02 Apr 2016
Wrote once before and since I am not computer savy, I was saying Linksys was tryin to hi jack router. Now A friend says modem, Linksys has removed my isp and entered their own code and now are controlling my computer,has removed my security which is Norton, who by the way cleaned my computer and said all was good, after that, noticed the Icon disappeeared and then reappeared, but is not functioning, I am redirected to sites other than the one I try to get to. I am elder female, other than a pricey computer service, can you help?
Posted by:
John
11 Apr 2016
I need virus clen my drive
Posted by:
Peggy
04 Jun 2016
Greetings
My internet speed is slow and if I have my grandchildren streaming a movie, it constantly buffering and my PC too.
I have a dual web-band and a range extender 3 yrs. old and Verizon router is over 5 yrs. old
Base on your expertise, what step should I take.
Greatly appreciate your help
Posted by:
Calvin
06 Jun 2016
can you go back and read articles further back than the last 20, if so how?
Posted by:
Ken Fisher
21 Jul 2016
Upgraded my Win 7.1 Dell computer to Win 10 last December. Two weeks ago, it downgraded itself by dropping the Start Button and screen, the info button on the left and Cortana. It has not corrected with updates. Pressing the Start produces a critical error and a restart.
Posted by:
Pay
08 Aug 2016
Bob, My Microsoft Publisher software gas disappeared from my computer sometime since I downloaded Windows 10.
Also, the names of my directories have been eliminated. I used to have one called Pat and Ray Computer and it no longer exists. There were two directories called mydocuments, one inside the other directory that I can no longer find.
I did a backup of 7 before I installed 10 (thanks for you publication!) HELP!!!
Posted by:
Jd hackhowsar
15 Jun 2017
Hi Mr Bob
We have 600 plus pages for years as a tech support user club for European industrial machines at eeuc98.net in html now https posted.
After the https all picture links quit working.
Also with google nobody can find us any more. Since the page content applies often to the same subject, the keywords are the same.
Reading googles requirements it would be a lot of volunteer work to vamp it all up.
We started in the 80s out with DOS 6 based Clarks bulletin boaerd sw.
Having a good site content search function is imporatant.
We used since the 80s macromedia robohelp and dreamweaver sw, now all Acrobat.
Thanks for your wisdom.
Lots of virtual hugs.
Johann
Posted by:
Mr.Pic
29 Jun 2017
In using Outlook 2003 I need to know how to increase text size as now the inbox shows about 31 one line emails info, I would like about 15 with larger more readable text. The new Dell computer has Windows 10 and I have just started using it. Appreciate any help provided.
Posted by:
Alexander Harkes
25 Sep 2017
When using my printer and trying to send a copy of a photo or send a email it says i do not have a connection and everything is working ok. the mail recipient will not work also how can i change the mail recipient from fax recipient.
Posted by:
stanley westell
23 Jun 2018
I wondered if you had a topic regarding India's people constant attack upon the US?
I recently have been receiving all kinds of so-called free gift cards $1000 gift card Walmart, Nike gift cards, I recently have received several different grant scams from India and they even tried to use US sounding names and received a phone call claiming it was the IRS preparing to open a file if I didn't call them then there is a computer tech support company that claims they are Microsoft and tell you your personal information that risk and if you don't call them they'll stop your computer from working there are several of those I will admit being on Social Security disability that I was extremely hopeful and I had filed for grants and unfortunately before I caught on. Already swindled me out of $200 their goal was to swindle me out of $1000 so knowing that the IRS never calls they only send mail and I started asking the questions will qualify me for these grants where did you get this information clearly they are attaching themselves or spying on websites or setting up these free card giveaways to get information I was just wondering if you had set up a page on warning the elderly which is clearly their target I think the most important thing is think first asked questions on how you qualified how they got the information and so forth and before you know it they hang up the one thing I have seen is that their phone calls are being rerouted through the US and there clearly well-versed insome of the information needed regarding grants the address of the grant building in Washington DC and basic info for their scam I saved many of the phone numbers and names used but you know they're all fake or they're using untraceable SIMM cards well I was just wondering if you had a page that would help protect people against India's ongoing attack upon the US? you need not reply it was just a suggestion or if you have created this page thank you.
Posted by:
Andy Baldwin
21 Sep 2019
Dear Bob,
I am a technical IDIOT!
But, somehow this ADD brain of mine can understand what you have to say. Can you help me understand what this particular tool does?
Also, can you tell me if you cover computer issues pretty much from A to Z? If so do you cover different kinds of email like Reagan.com?
I ask because I got hacked with 'free' email and there are things I can't seem to understand sometimes with private email.
I simply want to thank you for being there helping very low tech guys like me!
Warmest Regards,
Andy Baldwin
Posted by:
Bonnie R
02 Oct 2019
The links in my emails on my phone will not open
Posted by:
Daniel Swist
26 Nov 2019
I got hacked about a month ago. Changed password, etc. But now all my incoming email(YAHOO) goes to my "Archive" folder and has to be manually transferred to my INBOX. Called ATT several times , but the idiot agents (in India) can't help me. I tried to call ATT in the US, but never got connected. Someone on a blog told me to go to Settings- Filters and remove filters/ add filters. But that doesn't work. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Posted by:
Harold
17 Apr 2020
very very GOOD Bob and thanks for all those great possibilities
Posted by:
Phil Biggins
23 Apr 2020
How to fix printing problems for windows 10 ,only wants to save an not print.
Posted by:
Gary
25 Apr 2020
Your top 20 is great, Thanks
Gary
Posted by:
Edward E.Weeter
21 Jul 2020
Bob,
I have been a reader for many years, but due to long-term health issues, my reading time and comprehension have slipped. Now my wife wants a divorce and most of my investment profits I am 74, a Type 1 Diabetic for 60+ years with many other health issues!. She is 71 and in her second round of cancer. We have I married daughter who caters mainly to her wishes and live about 5+ hours from us. My problems utherwise are my AOL.COM account (blocked for over 9 months. Any idea who in gov’t I can contact? Thanks for everything! She has blocked my use of many things also!pp
Posted by:
WJ Stewart
15 Dec 2021
How can I make my 2 year old laptop faster? I have to wait almost 10 minutes for it to start up so I can use it
Posted by:
WD Nelson
30 Mar 2022
I signed up for IDrive last week!! Only 5TB Can I still get the discount you are offering?
WD