photo credit: CarbonNYC
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 and protects Continue reading →
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 law.
Click the link below to read a complete news store from CNET and get links to other news stories on the subject.
Bill would give president emergency control of Internet | Politics and Law – CNET News.
photo credit: thoth92
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 nearly $300 million. Microsoft, of course, immediately filed an appeal that will draw the case out even longer.
While the appeal is being considered, Microsoft Word can still be purchased, but for how long? This case builds yet another argument for home and business computer users to consider using online based business applications like Zoho.com or Google Docs. If you want desktop software, look to OpenOffice.org.
Read more on the suit between i4i and Microsoft in the article below:
NewsFactor Network | Appeal Seeks To Keep Microsoft Word on Store Shelves.
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 CCleaner, Picasa, recovering photos from a corrupt flash disk, netbook shopping, recovering the Mac desktop hard drive icon, shutting down the Windows magnifier and more.
The second video (YouTube only allows 10 minute videos for free accounts) has questions from Dot, Tiffany, Kitty, Anne, Barbara, Peter, Len, Anne and Romero. Their questions ranged from Continue reading →
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.
photo credit: toprankonlinemarketing
Before I left for my monthly users group meeting this morning, I caught a quick glimpse of Google’s announcement to enter the world of operating systems on Twitter. Most folks in the tech business figured it would be a natural leap for Google to work towards their own operating system, especially after the release of their Chrome browser last year. I couldn’t wait to return home and participate in the techno frenzy.
I spent most of the evening reading many of the already thousands of responses to the Google announcement introducing the Chrome Operating System. My colleague, Adam Cochran, penned a nice article from the perspective of a Google OS wish list. Give his article a read, I especially liked his #4 point. Unfortunately, many of the articles I read tonight seem to be focusing on what Google Chrome will not be versus what Google themselves already stated it will be.
The executive summary of Google’s announcement: Continue reading →
photo credit: glindsay65
QUESTION
Name: Kathy
From: Grand Junction
OS: Windows XP
———————-
When I go into different web sites I get this message:
ERROR
A runtime error
has occurred?
Line 30
ERROR: Object required
Yes No
This occurs quite frequently can you tell me why and what I can do about it?
ANSWER
This error is usually due to Continue reading →
photo credit: pt
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 about 60 seconds and most books cost around $9.99. For newspaper, magazine, and blog subscriptions, the Kindle automatically syncs the content to the Kindle over the air (no cables needed).
Currently, two Kindles are available for purchase; one holds up to 1500 books and the other up to 3500 books. Current Kindle users seem extremely happy with the device and the technology based on online reviews.
Intrigued by the buzz surrounding the Kindle, I downloaded Continue reading →
photo credit: kevindooley
I tweeted the question yesterday on whether the computer operating system (OS) really matters any more. The response from the Twitter community was less than overwhelming so I want to pose the same question to you, the HelpMeRick.com community.
My contention is that more and more computer functions get done in a web browser. I rarely use any other computer program other than my browser these days. I don’t print much, I share my photos online, I compose spreadsheets and word processing documents online, I edit photos online, I manage my web site online, I store my important files online, and much more. And more applications are born every day that make the speed of my Internet connection more important than the speed of computer.
And the wonderful thing, to me, about performing all these functions online, is I can literally sit at any Continue reading →
HelpMeRick.com started as a monthly tip site for beginners in 1996, and now supports our popular call-in computer show, and hosts thousands of useful computer tips and links.
Even if you are an experienced computer user, use our site as a resource to provide help to the friends, family members and co-workers you provide tech support for every day.
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