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Rick

Site Remodeling

As Adam and I transition to a purely web based help site (except for our daily businesses providing on-site help in Grand Junction, CO of course), we will be experimenting a little with the look, feel and function of the site to make the sections more clear and the content even more readable and usable. Let us know what you think of this particular rendition of our site "theme" by leaving a comment below. It may or may not be permanent, but we wanted to test drive it for a few days.

New virus – what took them so long?

There is a new virus going around that pretends to be a postcard from a friend, family member, schoolmate, etc. Within the email are links to where you can download the "postcard."

In reality you will not be getting a postcard, you will be getting a virus. How sneaky.

While this method of spreading viruses usually doesn’t work well because the host site is taken down quickly, I thought this one was worth commenting on not because of the nastiness of the virus or the way it spreads.

Microsoft Outlook not saving password any longer

I found this answer at this site:  Optimizing your PC   So, I haven't tried it or  had to use it, but the process seems plausible.

In some cases Outlook doesn't save your password, even if you enable the option to save the password. This error is caused by a malfunctioning of the Protected Storage Space from Windows. To solve this problem, run the registry editor and navigate to the key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Protected Storage System Provider. You will find a key with a long name starting with S-1-5-21 which you have to delete (probably it's save to create a back-up of this key by File, Export). In most cases the problem is solved and next time the passwords will be saved. Be carefull: by doing this you will lose all stored passwords. Read the back-up page how to recover these passwords.

Selling items on eBay is even easier!

Although I buy a few things per year on eBay, I haven't sold anything on eBay for a little more than two years. I had eight items that I needed to sell so I logged into my account today and found that posting an item for sale is much easier than it was two years ago. Creating the description (some items can be automatically built from a stock description) is easier, making your posting look professional and clean is easier, adding pictures is easier (first picture is free, then only fifteen cents per picture after that), and working through pricing your item (hint:  always start at $.01 to lower your listing cost AND generate interest in your item).

The missing iPhone disclaimer

I am throwing this into the newsletter this week. But I will post it here because I spent too much time writing it.

The Apple iPhone came out this Friday. We have taken the opportunity to write up the disclaimer that should appear on the device, but does not.

Turns out that real tech guys follow the same advice

I worked with a business client today who runs their cash register computers from a "server" computer in the back of the store. Their server is really a normal computer that just shares the data about the stores customer's and products. The actual program exists on each of the register's computers. In larger businesses like banks, Home Depot's, etc, true servers deliver the program and data to the cash registers and need to be very powerful. In the situation I described with my client's system, the "server" computer doesn't do a lot of work so it doesn't have to be too powerful.

How to have a phone, answering machine and fax on the same line

So, you have a phone, an answering machine and a fax. You have two lines so that the answering machine doesn't pickup the fax and vice versa. This means that you are likely spending at least $40 per month on phone service.

You haven't switched to broadband because it would cost that much more.

There is an affordable solution. It's called distinctive ring.

Provided your phone company offers the service, it is the solution for many  home businesses and others who need the ability to receive faxes without warning.

Distinctive ring is a $5 service that can be added to your existing phone line. The phone company will give you a new telephone number, or reassign your current fax number. Whenever someone calls that number, the phone will ring differently than it does when they dial your home line.

How to know if you have spyware

If the popups and sudden system slowdown aren’t sufficient indicators, here are two other ways to tell that you have spyware.

1. Tons of toolbars in Internet Explorer

2. More than 10 items in the system tray by the clock

Special thanks to my client who unknowingly contributed material for this video which I recorded with my cell phone.

Used computers & friends

I believe Adam or I have written on this topic before, but I worked with a situation yesterday that was disturbing enough that I needed to bring this topic up again. We continually talk about friends or family members who like working with computers and then like to help out your computer. IF the help revolves around something mundane like plugging the power into your power strip or maybe changing an ink cartridge, then by all means let them help you.

10 Things you should know how to do with your digital camera

Here is what we will discuss at tonight's digital photo user group: 

1. How to find information in the Manual
If your camera didn't come with a manual, it is likely on the disk that came with the camera. You may also download it from the manufacturer's website.

2. How to insert and remove the camera memory

3. How to set your camera on full auto mode – this is the setting that lets the camera do all of the thinking
It may be indicated by a green square, the letter "A" or the word AUTO.