7 Internet Security Tips to Save You Time & M...

I write about Internet security frequently because I see too many breaches of Internet security every single day. And by Internet security, I’m referring to keeping your computer free of spyware, fake security software and other annoying, time consuming, and expensive ailments that can strike your computer. THESE TYPES OF INFECTIONS ARE PREVENTABLE. First, I need to exempt Mac and Linux (Ubuntu) users from reading this...

My business benefits from folks not reading my art...

Since 1996, I made it my mission to share every bit of pertinent digital knowledge that I acquired with anyone willing to visit the site. It astounds me to this day how many computer users refuse to read and refuse to learn. Truly, 40-50% of the house and business calls I make every week would evaporate if the computer user had read my articles and tips on a regular basis and followed their advice. This is especially true...

Thanks for my first million!

On Sunday (1-10-10), my YouTube channel hit one million views! Sure, I wish it was my first million dollars, but it is my first million of anything. In one of our sporadically held morning, brainstorming sessions,  Adam (co-host) mentioned that it might be a good idea to try and put some of the video tips I make on YouTube as a way to cross promote HelpMeRick.com and take the video load off of our hosting service. That...

Computer Help Show Podcast – 11-18-09

Adam and I talked to a few listeners today, ranted a little about this negative article of Twitter in our local newspaper, gave some Christmas / holiday gift giving advice, and much more in this month’s radio show. Have a listen and remember to tune in live next month on December 16! Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Microsoft’s Security Essentials

Microsoft released an updated and completely re-tooled version of their computer security product. It is now called Microsoft Security Essentials. I have not had a chance to try it out yet (wasn’t accepted into the beta testing this summer), but through my reading it is getting much better scores than their awful Live OneCare products they sold for a couple of years. Overall, it supposedly runs much faster than OneCare...

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...

Yet another reason to ditch Microsoft Office for w...

This news story has flown mostly under the radar of most computer users for weeks. In a nutshell, it’s a patent infringement suit brought upon Microsoft by a Canadian company called i4i. The suit alleges that Microsoft knowingly used proprietary technologies in Microsoft Word 2003 and 2007. Last week, a judge in Texas, ruled in favor of i4i and ordered Microsoft to remove Microsoft Word from being sold and fined them...

Rick Answers his Email Videocast – 053

The summer has kept me busy and I let a few too many question stack up (remember that you can make a small donation when asking your question to get priority). I answered all the questions you asked the last 2 weeks in these two videos. The first video contains questions from Doris, Henry, Andrew, Jean, John, Rae Ann, Craig, Janet, Maurice, Leo, Ryan, Shirley, Jason, Donna, Jeannie, Dave, and Scott. They asked questions about...

Nikon to release camera with built-in projector

Wow, a digital camera with a built-in projector capable of producing a 40″ image to show off your pictures and video without having to huddle around the camera and hope everyone applied deodorant and brushed their teeth. Read the whole story in this Endgadget.com article: Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam beams into reality along with friends. ...

Barnes & Noble to Offer Free Wi-Fi

If you like working in coffee shops and book stores, you will be happy to know that soon, Barnes & Noble will offer free wi-fi in all their stores. They are hoping that it will encourage shoppers to buy more digital content for portable, digital readers. Complete story from CIO Today here: After Hours – Barnes & Noble Offers Free Wi-Fi To Sell E-Books. ...

Intel Helped Google with Chrome OS

This article seems to confirm a suspicion I had and wrote about upon Google’s initial announcement of the Chrome Operating System. Intel has been working with the Linux community for months developing a compelling operating system called Moblin. The Moblin project already uses the Chromium browser (Linux equivalent of Google Chrome) and seems like a natural starting spot for Google’s project. I still think that...

Microsoft Plans to Open Retail Stores

No time frame or number of stores planned were released in Microsoft’s press release this week, but Microsoft did say they planned to open their stores close to existing Apple stores. Ex-management staffers from WalMart and Sam’s Club will be heading up this new direction for Microsoft. You can read more details at the Daily Tech web site: DailyTech – Microsoft Retail Stores to Open Near Apple Stores. ...

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,...