HelpMeRick.com Podcast with Rick & Adam ̵...

In an extremely transparent effort to increase our listener numbers and web site viewers (and to a lesser degree Facebook Likes), we threw in all kinds of news worthy references in this week’s podcast. Charlie Sheen was mentioned way more than he should have been, the new iPad 2, Hawaii volcanoes, the economy and even gas prices. But we also threw in a lot of technology information, Q&A and of course the standard...

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

PC World columnist says don’t upgrade from X...

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...

Tiny digital camera mounted on an albatross…...

Ran across this interesting news story today. Scientists are starting to use small, 83 gram digital cameras capable of taking up to 10,000 pictures on animals. In this case, the camera was mounted on an albatross and they found that these albatross were feeding with killer whales…similar to buzzards and lions on the savanna. Following is the full article. BBC – Earth News – Albatross cam for bird’s eye...

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...

Google Strikes Deal with Sony

The Financial Times reported that Google and Sony agreed on a deal that will result in Google’s Chrome browser (barely a year old) being installed on new Sony computers sold in the United States. Google hopes to add more similar deals with other manufacturers. FT.com / Technology – Sony to distribute Google browser.

Wikipedia to start reviewing article changes

Wikipedia started in 2001 as an online encyclopedia that anyone can edit. It drew a lot of attention then for its ambitious goal of gathering all information in the world and making it searchable and accessible. Today, it continues to draw millions of visitors per month and boasts more than 3 million articles, 75,000 contributors and has articles in 260 languages. This week, Wikipedia made the news by making some changes to...

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...

HP helps move us further from the mythical paperle...

I have to give Hewlett Packard credit; they know how to keep the big ink jet money wheel spinning. Today, they introduced a printer that can connect to the Internet and then print content from it without any user interaction. Hmmm…sounds like a new fangled fax to me. Computers were supposed to introduce us to a paperless society of ultra-organization. That pipe dream was first talked about in the 70s. Today, paper is...

Dell Sells $3 Million via Twitter

No one can ever deny that Dell knows how to market. In my opinion, only Apple does it better (Microsoft take a hint). Today, Dell revealed that they move merchandise faster and easier using the Twitter service. Read more in the Wall Street Journal article linked below. Dell Sells $3 Million Through Twitter – Digits – WSJ.

Microsoft Plans to Release Free AntiVirus Program

Thankfully and mercifully, Microsoft is discontinuing the horrible OneCare security product they sold the past couple of years. However, Microsoft announced today that a new security product, code named Morro, will appear as a free antivirus product later this year. In the story below, Microsoft states that the new antivirus product will be based on the current OneCare underpinnings. As usual, I will reserve full judgment...

Symantec Warns of Wireless Keyboard Security Threa...

This news story came through the wires today. As usual, the headline is much worse than the actual threat. Wireless keyboards have a range of maybe 15-20 feet (without barriers) at the very best. In order for this type of a security threat to occur, you would have to be using your wireless keyboard within that distance of someone you don’t know and is acting shady. How likely is that? NewsFactor Network | Symantec Warns...

Digital Readers and E-books

Amazon released their version of a digital reader, called the Kindle, in late 2007. It received a lot of attention at the time, but not as much as its new version released this spring. Amazon states that more than 285,000 books are available for download and purchase, 50,000 audio books, and there are many magazine and newspaper articles also available for download (including my blog). A full text book can be downloaded in...

CBS News to broadcast online

Spurred on by the success of Twitter and its ability to quickly deliver news and events, CBS announced today that they will begin broadcasting all their evening news content and special news reports online. In an agreement with Ustream.com, CBS plans to begin the online simulcast in the next couple of months. CBS is the first network/news company to simulcast their entire newscast on the Internet. Read the entire article at...

Microsoft Promises greater compatibility with Wind...

Windows Vista was hammered from its beta versions all the way through to its release and even to this day for lack of compatibility with hardware and software. Today, Microsoft announced that more than 10,000 hardware and software vendors are working with Microsoft during the development phase of Windows 7 to help assure a quality launch of Windows 7 later this year. Will Windows 7 be better prepared for the public than...