HelpMeRick.com Podcast with Rick & Adam – 09-...

After a short summer respite, we came back with a lively and informative podcast this week! Have a listen as we discuss tablets, college computers, digital textbooks, and much more (we always say that, but it’s true!).   Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Longest hiatus is over

Image via Wikipedia Due to many circumstances, busy scheduling, and a couple of short trips, I have been noticeably absent from posting new articles here at HelpMeRick.com the last few months.  Thanks for continuing to search for and use the information found within these virtual walls to help make your computer life just a little easier. During these past few weeks, I have helped many, many people with their...

Downsizing my tech

I repurposed my EeePC Netbook for my nephew with a copy of Qimo Linux for kids and it works great. Not only does my nephew now have a computer that is secure & virtually trouble-free, but it also comes packed with great learning resources & games. It also allowed me to reduce my computers by one. I now carry my Toshiba 13″ laptop that dual boots Ubuntu & Windows 7. The change required me to get a new laptop...

System Engineer fed up with Windows vulnerabilitie...

Interesting article from a ZDNet author, Christopher Dawson,  who also works full-time as a school district computer engineer. Despite locking down Windows computers with security software, tweaking firewalls, and making sure all Windows updates are up to snuff, threats still sneak into their computers. I understand the frustration he exhibits in the article regarding the time and effort spent fighting these...

Should government have right to cut off Internet s...

Senate Bill 773 provides for protecting the country’s tech infrastructure by declaring a cybersecurity emergency. This emergency would authorize the government to shut down Internet access to key non-governmental computers and networks. If passed, the bill would create a whole new government agency that trains and certifies cyber-security professionals to help manage and carry out the rules set forth in this proposed...

3 Classes of Information Technology (IT) Users

I left this note as a comment on a web site just now, but decided that it was good enough to be a post here at HelpMeRick.com.  IT is the fancy word for computer technology. The more I read about and talk with people about computers, I see there are three distinct “classes” of computer users. Hard core IT - those that need every ounce of PC power for their jobs and/or personal life. They program, game,...