Podcast — 6 comments
21
Oct 09
Once a month has been good for our show. We have lots to talk about and not seeing each other as often, I think our enthusiasm for what we do comes across better than ever. We hope you feel the same. Listen to this month’s show where we talked a lot about smart phones and Windows 7.
Remember, Adam Cochran and I record the show live at our monthly radio show at KAFM 88.1 FM in Grand Junction, CO. We are live every month on the 3rd Wednesday from Noon-1pm Mountain time. Put it on your calendar and tune in live every month!
Until next month, here’s today’s podcast:
Podcast: Play in new window
| Download
General Computer Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 3 comments
20
Oct 09

photo credit: kalandrakas
A customer asked me a question that I get asked quite often on the radio show and when I’m making my daily house or office visits. “Why do you use free products versus the larger commercial pay products for keeping a computer secure?”
My answer can be summed up in word: effectiveness.
Time and time again, the products I recommend prove themselves in the field as being thorough, effective, and unobtrusive programs. Unobtrusive is a big one for me these days as the leaders in security software (Norton, McAfee, etc) bloat their software beyond recognition and slow down even the fastest, newest machines. Norton claims that their newest versions are Continue reading: Why use free security software?
Windows Tips — 5 comments
19
Oct 09
Windows XP, Vista and the upcoming version 7 continue to help us accomplish certain computer tasks more quickly.
One of my favorite features involves the renaming of files. You can still use the techniques I outlined in a previous tip, but renaming files can be even faster with the right steps. If you have the need to rename a group of files (for example a group of freshly downloaded pictures from your digital camera), you can select them and rename them in groups. Here’s how: Continue reading: A quicker way to Rename folders and files in Windows
Riding Shotgun with Rick / Videocasts — No comments
18
Oct 09
This week’s questions are brought to you by Mike, Todd, Paul, Randall, John, Bob, William, Warren, Bob, Raymond, Che, Dennis and Monica. In order, they asked questions about; digital camera repair, lost CD drives, Vista startup nags, deleting Facebook account, programs for checking drivers, stubborn desktop icons, lost search feature in XP, lost password for helpmerick.com??, free Microsoft Word download, wireless Internet connection, Internet monitoring software, unknown startup program, and one more username/password issue.
Here’s the video:
Continue reading: Rick Answers his Email Videocast -062
Riding Shotgun with Rick / Tech News — 3 comments
16
Oct 09
PC World columnist, David Coursey, writes this week that the hassle of upgrading a Windows XP computer to Windows 7 isn’t worth the time and price. It pretty much mimics the exact advice I gave to Windows XP users when Vista came out 2 1/2 years ago.
Software developers build software for the future, so older computer simply cannot run the newer software as efficiently. Especially when talking about operating systems like Windows.
Bottom line: If you are Continue reading: PC World columnist says don’t upgrade from XP
Email of the week — 3 comments
14
Oct 09

photo credit: ~Oryctes~ (away)
QUESTION
Name: Marty
From: Houston, TX
OS: Windows XP
———————-
Is there a difference between the AVG trial version and the AVG free that you refer to on your site? Is it too late to get the free version or is it the same as the trial version? Thank you. Is it compatible with WindowsXP – SP1 only? I still need to restore computer to SP2 but want to be protected ASAP.
Thanks.
MC
ANSWER
Yes, there is a difference between the trial and free versions of AVG. The trial version Continue reading: Email of the Week – 020
Internet Tips — No comments
13
Oct 09
I ran across a question today that could not be explained verbally or in writing. It is so visual, that a video was warranted. The question was how to adjust or restore the default toolbars in Internet Explorer. Here’s a 49 second video demonstrating the skills you need to get this done. Take a look!
Riding Shotgun with Rick / Tech News — 4 comments
12
Oct 09

photo credit: motti82
The Nintendo Wii, a gaming console you hook to your TV, became a runaway success since its release two years ago. About 9 months after its release, Nintendo released its wildly successful and popular Wii Fit with balance board. The balance board does a fantastic job of measuring balance, weight, center of gravity and more.
In the CNN article I linked below, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security may employ the Nintendo Wii to test how fidgety Continue reading: Airport security may screen you with a Nintendo Wii