Many people have been aware (and most haven’t) that Facebook has not done a good job of ensuring your personal information remains private. Recently, Facebook updated its settings to make it easier to control who sees your status updates.
How? When you go to post a status update, click on the drop-down menu next to the Post button and you can choose from a range of options.
The default option is labelled Public rather than Everyone (the earlier version). Check the options out.
Also, Facebook now offers an option to tag individual people mentioned in a post. Additional controls let you control other tagging elements. If a “friend” tags you in an unflattering photo for example, you can remove the tag from your wall. You can ask your “friend” to remove the tag or you can block someone altogether.
The update box also lets you identify your location, that replaces an earlier Places system. Tagging your location should be used with caution. Facebook can be a great way to tell friends and family you’re on holidays, but, if your address is easily discovered online, it is an open invitation to burglars.
Time to revisit your Facebook page to make sure your information is “safe”.
Monday, February 13, 2012
2012 Predictions
Windows 8 is due in the second half of 2012. This operating system will probably also extend to mobile phones and tablets. But who knows when? Did you know that in October of 2011 Windows XP had been around for 10 years? That is an amazing track record. Apple probably would have sold the punters many differing operating systems and hardware in that time for a tidy profit.
Google’s Android operating system for mobiles was the big winner in 2011. Samsung was propelled to the top of the smart phone market becoming the world’s top-selling smart phone brand. No doubt Apple will come back with a new phone this year, as the iPhone with a 3.5 inch screen is looking very dated, despite all the hype about the new processor in the iPhone 4s. The dark horse will be Nokia who are likely to be releasing Windows phone sets in 2012.
How about a smart phone with a bendable screen? Toshiba demonstrated a prototype bendable display nearly 10 years ago. Samsung has ramped up these Graphene-protected AMOLED displays and they may be available this year. How cool is that? Whether the price will be “cool” is a different story. I am of the school of thought that subscribes to NOT being an early adopter of new technology. Wait for the “bugs” to be ironed out and the price to come down to more realistic levels.
Android tablets will challenge Apple’s highly successful iPads but it is likely that Apple will release another big, new iPad this year with new and improved features to keep them in front, for the near future.
Television! Take the AMOLED screens of smart phones, scale it up to TV size and you’re going to have super bright, stratospheric colours for the next generation TVs. I (and many testers) still consider plasma TV to produce the best pictures, unfortunately at a higher power consumption rate than the LCD variants (do you want to be a “greenie” and forgo quality?).
But this new OLED technology looks like making all these others obsolescent. Samsung, LG and Sony are talking about OLED TVs. Where to for 3D TV without glasses? Maybe it will become a non-event in the short term. Time and the market will tell.
Intel will continue to maintain its dominance on desktop and portable PCs. AMD is not dead, so they may yet come out with a brilliant processor. It is becoming increasingly tougher to attain quantum leaps in processing power but processors are now delivering better performance with less power and heat.
SSDs (solid state drives – similar technology to SD cards and thumb drives) are now being fitted to more and more computer systems. The advantage is quicker boot times. Still pricey but as more and more are used then the prices are likely to drop. Currently some system manufacturers use them, for the operating system, along with a very large hard drive/s to store your data.
And speaking of storage – what about “cloud computing”?
In a previous blog entry I did raise some concerns about using the “cloud”. Let the demise of the website Megaupload, the file hosting service and file sharing site, be a warning as to what can happen. Probably someone like Apple or Microsoft or Google would offer relatively secure cloud hosting but, who else would you trust? Nevertheless, if I was a company having someone else host my files I would want to make sure that such files are strongly encrypted. My mind still says, store your own data safely, do not share/rely on others. If it is "in the cloud" are you going to be able to access the files when you need them?
There, we have some thoughts for 2012, let us see what happens and be prepared for some surprises.
Google’s Android operating system for mobiles was the big winner in 2011. Samsung was propelled to the top of the smart phone market becoming the world’s top-selling smart phone brand. No doubt Apple will come back with a new phone this year, as the iPhone with a 3.5 inch screen is looking very dated, despite all the hype about the new processor in the iPhone 4s. The dark horse will be Nokia who are likely to be releasing Windows phone sets in 2012.
How about a smart phone with a bendable screen? Toshiba demonstrated a prototype bendable display nearly 10 years ago. Samsung has ramped up these Graphene-protected AMOLED displays and they may be available this year. How cool is that? Whether the price will be “cool” is a different story. I am of the school of thought that subscribes to NOT being an early adopter of new technology. Wait for the “bugs” to be ironed out and the price to come down to more realistic levels.
Android tablets will challenge Apple’s highly successful iPads but it is likely that Apple will release another big, new iPad this year with new and improved features to keep them in front, for the near future.
Television! Take the AMOLED screens of smart phones, scale it up to TV size and you’re going to have super bright, stratospheric colours for the next generation TVs. I (and many testers) still consider plasma TV to produce the best pictures, unfortunately at a higher power consumption rate than the LCD variants (do you want to be a “greenie” and forgo quality?).
But this new OLED technology looks like making all these others obsolescent. Samsung, LG and Sony are talking about OLED TVs. Where to for 3D TV without glasses? Maybe it will become a non-event in the short term. Time and the market will tell.
Intel will continue to maintain its dominance on desktop and portable PCs. AMD is not dead, so they may yet come out with a brilliant processor. It is becoming increasingly tougher to attain quantum leaps in processing power but processors are now delivering better performance with less power and heat.
SSDs (solid state drives – similar technology to SD cards and thumb drives) are now being fitted to more and more computer systems. The advantage is quicker boot times. Still pricey but as more and more are used then the prices are likely to drop. Currently some system manufacturers use them, for the operating system, along with a very large hard drive/s to store your data.
And speaking of storage – what about “cloud computing”?
In a previous blog entry I did raise some concerns about using the “cloud”. Let the demise of the website Megaupload, the file hosting service and file sharing site, be a warning as to what can happen. Probably someone like Apple or Microsoft or Google would offer relatively secure cloud hosting but, who else would you trust? Nevertheless, if I was a company having someone else host my files I would want to make sure that such files are strongly encrypted. My mind still says, store your own data safely, do not share/rely on others. If it is "in the cloud" are you going to be able to access the files when you need them?
There, we have some thoughts for 2012, let us see what happens and be prepared for some surprises.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Worm Steals 45,000 Facebook Passwords
More malware is worming its way onto social networks!
A computer worm has stolen 45,000 login credentials from Facebook, security experts have warned. The data is believed to have been taken largely from Facebook accounts in the UK and France, according to security firm Seculert. It can happen on this side of the world also.
The culprit is a well-known piece of malware - dubbed Ramnit - which has been around since April 2010 and has previously stolen banking details. Facebook told the BBC that it was looking into the issue. The latest iteration of the worm was
discovered in Seculert's labs. "We suspect that the attackers behind Ramnit are using the stolen credentials to login to victims' Facebook accounts and to transmit malicious links to their friends, thereby magnifying the malware's spread even further," said the researchers on the firm's blog. "In addition, cybercriminals are
taking advantage of the fact that users tend to use the same password in various web-based services to gain remote access to corporate networks," it added.
A computer worm has stolen 45,000 login credentials from Facebook, security experts have warned. The data is believed to have been taken largely from Facebook accounts in the UK and France, according to security firm Seculert. It can happen on this side of the world also.
The culprit is a well-known piece of malware - dubbed Ramnit - which has been around since April 2010 and has previously stolen banking details. Facebook told the BBC that it was looking into the issue. The latest iteration of the worm was
discovered in Seculert's labs. "We suspect that the attackers behind Ramnit are using the stolen credentials to login to victims' Facebook accounts and to transmit malicious links to their friends, thereby magnifying the malware's spread even further," said the researchers on the firm's blog. "In addition, cybercriminals are
taking advantage of the fact that users tend to use the same password in various web-based services to gain remote access to corporate networks," it added.
The Best Anti-Virus for 2012
Click on this link:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372369,00.asp
Make up your own mind - there is no recommendation from me.
Disclaimer: I do not receive anything from PC Mag for this.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372369,00.asp
Make up your own mind - there is no recommendation from me.
Disclaimer: I do not receive anything from PC Mag for this.
Create a System Repair/Recovery Disc
New in Windows 7 is the ability to create a system repair CD that will help you
recover your computer from serious errors preventing windows from starting up.
The recovery disc is based on Windows PE and includes the standard recovery
options that are found on any Windows 7 installation disc.
If you have a Windows 7 installation disc, that doubles as a repair disc, so you don’t
need another. This article is only useful for users that have Windows 7 pre-installed and you did not receive the installation media with your computer (very common situation with laptops).
Creating the disc is very simple. Just click on the start button and type in (the area that says "Search programs and files") recdisc.exe and press Enter. Once started, put in a CD-R or CD-RW into your burner and click Start Burning. Don't forget to label the disc and whether it is for a 32bit or 64bit system.
recover your computer from serious errors preventing windows from starting up.
The recovery disc is based on Windows PE and includes the standard recovery
options that are found on any Windows 7 installation disc.
If you have a Windows 7 installation disc, that doubles as a repair disc, so you don’t
need another. This article is only useful for users that have Windows 7 pre-installed and you did not receive the installation media with your computer (very common situation with laptops).
Creating the disc is very simple. Just click on the start button and type in (the area that says "Search programs and files") recdisc.exe and press Enter. Once started, put in a CD-R or CD-RW into your burner and click Start Burning. Don't forget to label the disc and whether it is for a 32bit or 64bit system.
Windows 7 Snipping Tool - Very Handy
What does the Snipping Tool do?
Recipes, news stories, book reviews—you name it. Sometimes the easiest way to save a copy of something is to simply take a snapshot of your screen.
Snipping Tool captures a screen shot of anything on your desktop,
like a picture or a section of webpage.
Snip a whole window, a rectangular section of the screen, or draw a freehand outline with your mouse or tablet pen (or your finger, if you're using a PC with a touch screen). Then you can annotate, save, or e-mail the image using buttons right in the Snipping Tool window. Snipping Tool is available only in the Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions of Windows 7.
Click this link for more details: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-AU/windows7/Use-Snipping-Tool-to-capture-screen-shots
The icon should appear on your Start Menu. If not (or it becomes “lost” at some time) to ensure its return, make sure that “Tablet PC Optional Components " need to be enabled in the "Turn Windows features on or off " dialog box (left column) of the "Programs and Features " in control panel. Even if you DO NOT have a tablet PC, this option must be checked to enable the Snipping Tool. If the check box is already checked/ticked, uncheck it, reboot, go back to Control Panel, “Turn Windows features on or off” of the Program and Features panel, check the box, reboot the computer and the icon should appear again in your Start Menu.
Recipes, news stories, book reviews—you name it. Sometimes the easiest way to save a copy of something is to simply take a snapshot of your screen.
Snipping Tool captures a screen shot of anything on your desktop,
like a picture or a section of webpage.
Snip a whole window, a rectangular section of the screen, or draw a freehand outline with your mouse or tablet pen (or your finger, if you're using a PC with a touch screen). Then you can annotate, save, or e-mail the image using buttons right in the Snipping Tool window. Snipping Tool is available only in the Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions of Windows 7.
Click this link for more details: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-AU/windows7/Use-Snipping-Tool-to-capture-screen-shots
The icon should appear on your Start Menu. If not (or it becomes “lost” at some time) to ensure its return, make sure that “Tablet PC Optional Components " need to be enabled in the "Turn Windows features on or off " dialog box (left column) of the "Programs and Features " in control panel. Even if you DO NOT have a tablet PC, this option must be checked to enable the Snipping Tool. If the check box is already checked/ticked, uncheck it, reboot, go back to Control Panel, “Turn Windows features on or off” of the Program and Features panel, check the box, reboot the computer and the icon should appear again in your Start Menu.
Do Not Do This Online
If you walk around the City staring open-mouthed at the tall buildings, the low-lifes mark you for a dumb s**t right away. Pickpockets try for your wallet, sidewalk vendors offer great deals on "genuine" Rolexes… you might even get an opportunity to buy the Sydney Harbour Bridge! Even if you're smart enough not to get taken, you're better off keeping a low profile. The same is true in the online world. There are some things you should just never, ever do. For example:
Never Put Your Email Address in a Comment.
Don't put your email address in comments on blog posts. Don't put it in Facebook comments. You may have set Facebook for privacy, but your friends haven't. Don't include the address in plain text on your own Web site; use an image. Spammers send Web crawlers to harvest exposed email addresses and fill your Inbox with ads for drugs and Russian girls.
Never Respond to Spam.
Angry at the spammers? Don't fire off an irate missive. Don't reply with "REMOVE" in the subject. All this does is verify for them that your address is owned by a person who actively uses it. That makes it much more valuable when they sell their list to other spammers.
Never Click Links from Strangers.
Got an unsolicited email promising you a free iPad, a vacation in Belize, or something else tempting? Resist temptation! Clicking that link won't get you the prize, but it might well recruit your computer into the latest botnet army. Sure, your antivirus or security suite will probably keep you safe. So in the best case, you get… nothing.
Never Share Your Password.
OK, this may sound too simple, too obvious, yet I've seen people do it.
"Hey, can I use your [fill in the blank] account?" Sure, it's a good friend asking, but will this person safeguard your security the way you would yourself? Maybe you don't really care about that particular account, but are you sure you haven't used that same password on one, two, or twenty other sites? Sharing is good, in general, but not password sharing.
Never Do Your Banking over Public Wi-Fi.
Banking over the public WiFi at a coffee house or Internet café is a seriously bad idea. These networks can be ridiculously insecure. The guy at the next table could be using Firesheep to capture your online session. The sinister café owner could be
tracking every packet that passes through the network. Save your online
financial transactions for times when you can connect to a secure network.
These tips won't guarantee total online safety, but they're a good
start. Follow them and you won't look like a yokel.
Remember to ALWAYS delete address in emails that you are forwarding and when sending to multiple address use the Bcc!! Your friends deserve having their identity kept secret!
Never Put Your Email Address in a Comment.
Don't put your email address in comments on blog posts. Don't put it in Facebook comments. You may have set Facebook for privacy, but your friends haven't. Don't include the address in plain text on your own Web site; use an image. Spammers send Web crawlers to harvest exposed email addresses and fill your Inbox with ads for drugs and Russian girls.
Never Respond to Spam.
Angry at the spammers? Don't fire off an irate missive. Don't reply with "REMOVE" in the subject. All this does is verify for them that your address is owned by a person who actively uses it. That makes it much more valuable when they sell their list to other spammers.
Never Click Links from Strangers.
Got an unsolicited email promising you a free iPad, a vacation in Belize, or something else tempting? Resist temptation! Clicking that link won't get you the prize, but it might well recruit your computer into the latest botnet army. Sure, your antivirus or security suite will probably keep you safe. So in the best case, you get… nothing.
Never Share Your Password.
OK, this may sound too simple, too obvious, yet I've seen people do it.
"Hey, can I use your [fill in the blank] account?" Sure, it's a good friend asking, but will this person safeguard your security the way you would yourself? Maybe you don't really care about that particular account, but are you sure you haven't used that same password on one, two, or twenty other sites? Sharing is good, in general, but not password sharing.
Never Do Your Banking over Public Wi-Fi.
Banking over the public WiFi at a coffee house or Internet café is a seriously bad idea. These networks can be ridiculously insecure. The guy at the next table could be using Firesheep to capture your online session. The sinister café owner could be
tracking every packet that passes through the network. Save your online
financial transactions for times when you can connect to a secure network.
These tips won't guarantee total online safety, but they're a good
start. Follow them and you won't look like a yokel.
Remember to ALWAYS delete address in emails that you are forwarding and when sending to multiple address use the Bcc!! Your friends deserve having their identity kept secret!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Windows 7 Operating System
Windows 7 has, finally, become the world’s most popular desktop operating system.
It overtook Windows XP in the first ten days of October 2011 with a 40.18 per cent share of the market, according to statistics gathered by Statcounter.
At the latest measurement, 38.66 per cent of desktop computers in use online are
powered by XP while Vista limps in on 11.21 per cent.
XP became the most popular operating system by quantity in 2003 after being released in 2001.
Windows 7 adoption has been quick since it hit the shelves in 2009.
What's obvious from the Statcounter charts is the fact that Win 7 has grown at
the expense of XP and Vista. Still, with Mac OS X only commanding 7.27 per cent of the market, it’s not surprising that Microsoft is retaining customers rather than luring new ones.
Linux, on the desktop, has all but flatlined.
It overtook Windows XP in the first ten days of October 2011 with a 40.18 per cent share of the market, according to statistics gathered by Statcounter.
At the latest measurement, 38.66 per cent of desktop computers in use online are
powered by XP while Vista limps in on 11.21 per cent.
XP became the most popular operating system by quantity in 2003 after being released in 2001.
Windows 7 adoption has been quick since it hit the shelves in 2009.
What's obvious from the Statcounter charts is the fact that Win 7 has grown at
the expense of XP and Vista. Still, with Mac OS X only commanding 7.27 per cent of the market, it’s not surprising that Microsoft is retaining customers rather than luring new ones.
Linux, on the desktop, has all but flatlined.
Gadgets & Recycle Bin
Windows 7 improves the Gadget feature first found in Windows
Vista by making gadgets easy to position anywhere on the desktop and simple to
resize. If you like to keep your gadgets at the edges of your screen where they
have traditionally resided, they’ll snap right into place as if they were magnets.
Right Click blank part of Desktop then go to Personalize. My own
choice is to have them sitting on the right hand side of my screen; I have a
“widescreen” monitor thereby giving me plenty of space. My own choices for the
Gadgets are Date, Time and Weather. The choice is yours.
And underneath the gadgets, at the bottom of the screen, is where I place my Recycle Bin. If you have a rubbish bin near your workspace area, you would normally have it on the floor wouldn’t you? Then why have it somewhere else on your screen? Your choice, of course.
Vista by making gadgets easy to position anywhere on the desktop and simple to
resize. If you like to keep your gadgets at the edges of your screen where they
have traditionally resided, they’ll snap right into place as if they were magnets.
Right Click blank part of Desktop then go to Personalize. My own
choice is to have them sitting on the right hand side of my screen; I have a
“widescreen” monitor thereby giving me plenty of space. My own choices for the
Gadgets are Date, Time and Weather. The choice is yours.
And underneath the gadgets, at the bottom of the screen, is where I place my Recycle Bin. If you have a rubbish bin near your workspace area, you would normally have it on the floor wouldn’t you? Then why have it somewhere else on your screen? Your choice, of course.
User Account Control
The User Account Control (UAC) feature introduced in Windows
Vista (the one Vista feature that drove people nuts to start with) has been
successful at reducing the incidence of malware infection, with Windows Vista
customers experiencing 60 percent fewer malware infections than users of
Windows XP with SP2. However, your call has been heard for better control of
how often a UAC prompt launches a notification window.
In Windows 7, you won’t see as many prompts because fewer operating system
programs and tasks require elevation. And if you have administrative
privileges, you can adjust what you are prompted for. In order to help ensure
your security, the UAC control panel runs in a high integrity process. Any
change to the level of the UAC will prompt for confirmation.
My choice of setting is the second one down from the top. Type UAC into Search
and look at the settings available to you to choose the one that you feel
comfortable with.
Vista (the one Vista feature that drove people nuts to start with) has been
successful at reducing the incidence of malware infection, with Windows Vista
customers experiencing 60 percent fewer malware infections than users of
Windows XP with SP2. However, your call has been heard for better control of
how often a UAC prompt launches a notification window.
In Windows 7, you won’t see as many prompts because fewer operating system
programs and tasks require elevation. And if you have administrative
privileges, you can adjust what you are prompted for. In order to help ensure
your security, the UAC control panel runs in a high integrity process. Any
change to the level of the UAC will prompt for confirmation.
My choice of setting is the second one down from the top. Type UAC into Search
and look at the settings available to you to choose the one that you feel
comfortable with.
Change Icon Views to Extra Large in Windows 7 Explorer
In Windows 7 Explorer, changing the view of your thumbnails and other files is easy by clicking the Change Your View button in Explorer. What you may not have
noticed is there’s an Extra Large view setting as well.
Change Your View Button in Explorer
When in Windows Explorer you can click the Change your view button to
toggle through different sizes of the icons. In this example we are in Details
view which gives you more data about the files you’re looking at.
After clicking it once we see we have the Tiles View. Clicking it each time
will give you a different view including Details, Tiles, Content, List, Large
Icons, Medium Icons, and Small Icons.
Extra Large View
The one view not available by simply clicking the Change your view button is
Extra Large Icons. To get the Extra Large setting click the arrow button for
More Options. Then at the top of the menu select Extra Large Icons.
Another way to quickly scroll through the views is click an empty area in the
Explorer window, hold down the Ctrl key and scroll your mouse wheel up or down
for different sizes.
Yet another way to change the views is to hit Alt+F to bring up the Menu Bar,
then click on View and select different.
It can be done in Vista as well by clicking the Views button and selecting
Extra Large Icons.
noticed is there’s an Extra Large view setting as well.
Change Your View Button in Explorer
When in Windows Explorer you can click the Change your view button to
toggle through different sizes of the icons. In this example we are in Details
view which gives you more data about the files you’re looking at.
After clicking it once we see we have the Tiles View. Clicking it each time
will give you a different view including Details, Tiles, Content, List, Large
Icons, Medium Icons, and Small Icons.
Extra Large View
The one view not available by simply clicking the Change your view button is
Extra Large Icons. To get the Extra Large setting click the arrow button for
More Options. Then at the top of the menu select Extra Large Icons.
Another way to quickly scroll through the views is click an empty area in the
Explorer window, hold down the Ctrl key and scroll your mouse wheel up or down
for different sizes.
Yet another way to change the views is to hit Alt+F to bring up the Menu Bar,
then click on View and select different.
It can be done in Vista as well by clicking the Views button and selecting
Extra Large Icons.
Change your default Region and Language settings
Don't accept somebody elses settings - they probably just used the
American default setting. Use your "local" settings. Here's how:
1. Open the Control Panel(Category View), then click on Regional and Language.
2. Click the 'Formats' tab (selected by default), then click the Format:
dropdown and select the format you require
3. Next, click the 'Location' tab and select your location from the dropdown
4. Next,click the 'Administrative' tab. You will notice 2 options
5. Next, click the 'Change system locale' button and select your location from
the dropdown then click OK
6. Next, click the 'Copy Settings' button and put a check (tick) in the 2 boxes
at the bottom then click OK
NOTE: You may be prompted for a system restart after the final OK, just
click the Restart Now button and allow the system to restart.
American default setting. Use your "local" settings. Here's how:
1. Open the Control Panel(Category View), then click on Regional and Language.
2. Click the 'Formats' tab (selected by default), then click the Format:
dropdown and select the format you require
3. Next, click the 'Location' tab and select your location from the dropdown
4. Next,click the 'Administrative' tab. You will notice 2 options
5. Next, click the 'Change system locale' button and select your location from
the dropdown then click OK
6. Next, click the 'Copy Settings' button and put a check (tick) in the 2 boxes
at the bottom then click OK
NOTE: You may be prompted for a system restart after the final OK, just
click the Restart Now button and allow the system to restart.
Monday, September 05, 2011
How to Practice Safe Computing
1) Make sure Windows is configured to show the file extensions for ALL FILE TYPES. This will allow you to recognize potentially dangerous files.
This is how you do it:
Windows XP: Go to Control Panel, Folder Options, click View Tab, under Advanced Settings, Files and Folders, UNCHECK, Hide extensions for known file types.
Windows Vista & Windows 7: From Control Panel, click Appearance and Personalization, Folder Options, View Tab, Advanced Settings, Files and Folders, UNCHECK, Hide extensions for known file types.
Never, never open any files with a double file extension such as "loveletterforyou.txt.vbs". vbs denotes an executable file as does the following file extensions, exe com bat pif and scr (an "executable file" allows a "program" to run on your computer). Only the last three letter file extension is relevant. The fact that (as above) that it shows another innocuous file extension is just done to fool you.
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER OPEN ATTACHED EXECUTABLE FILES SENT TO YOU VIA EMAIL!!
BEWARE OF CLICKING ON EMBEDDED LINKS IN EMAILS UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD BEFOREHAND, BY THE SENDER, THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE SENDING YOU.
If you are tech savvy and are using a "sandbox" then no great problem.
Last, but not least, when sending emails to multiple recipients ALWAYS use the BCC facility! This is important.
2) Don't have antivirus software (shame on you)?
The creators of PC-cillin, Trend Micro offer a free web based virus scan for your computer. Free programs are available from AVG, Avast, Microsft Security Essentials, Panda, Evira and others.
Make sure you download from the develops website (or someone like cnet.com) and that you choose the FREE version, if you're not of the mind to pay for a more elaborate version.
3) Windows Tech Support Scam
A "phishing" scam that has appeared lately using the telephone to "trap" you. They claim they have been alerted by Microsoft, your ISP or whomever, that your computer is running slowly because of viruses. The scammer offers to run a free diagnostic test to show the "malware" and infections on your computer.
The scammer then offers to fix the nonexistent problem (using a program in your Windows operating system, that you will allow them to use - you have just given control to an unknown person!), but in reality they are just going to download an infected program to validate their phone call! They will also try to sell you a bogus warranty, which requires you to provide your credit card details. Surprise, surprise!
Microsoft never cold calls anyone about anything!! If someone calls and says there is a problem with your computer they can fix, just hang up or impolitely tell them where to go.
3) "Nuisance" emails.
You know the ones that go around make all sorts of claims about helping people, making medical claims etc., all claiming validation by snopes.com and others. If you think the email has some merit, then check with snopes or hoaxbusters by going directly to their site (DO NOT click on the embedded website in the email). DON'T just blindly send it on, please!
NEVER reply to "spam" emails either. Either mark them as Junk/Spam or use block sender, depending upon what email reader you are using. To answer is merely to let the spammer know that you are a real live address!
Another email doing the rounds at the moment threatens to close down your email account unless you verify all the details (and they ask for your password!) with the Sender. Let them close it down - start up a new account with Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail, no big problem. Your ISP or email provider is not going to send such an email to you!
To those of you who may have watched and remembered Hill St Blues - American cop show - the Sergeant each day would say to his troops "Be careful out there", which now applies to the internet. And I would add "But have fun and learn".
This is how you do it:
Windows XP: Go to Control Panel, Folder Options, click View Tab, under Advanced Settings, Files and Folders, UNCHECK, Hide extensions for known file types.
Windows Vista & Windows 7: From Control Panel, click Appearance and Personalization, Folder Options, View Tab, Advanced Settings, Files and Folders, UNCHECK, Hide extensions for known file types.
Never, never open any files with a double file extension such as "loveletterforyou.txt.vbs". vbs denotes an executable file as does the following file extensions, exe com bat pif and scr (an "executable file" allows a "program" to run on your computer). Only the last three letter file extension is relevant. The fact that (as above) that it shows another innocuous file extension is just done to fool you.
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER OPEN ATTACHED EXECUTABLE FILES SENT TO YOU VIA EMAIL!!
BEWARE OF CLICKING ON EMBEDDED LINKS IN EMAILS UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD BEFOREHAND, BY THE SENDER, THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE SENDING YOU.
If you are tech savvy and are using a "sandbox" then no great problem.
Last, but not least, when sending emails to multiple recipients ALWAYS use the BCC facility! This is important.
2) Don't have antivirus software (shame on you)?
The creators of PC-cillin, Trend Micro offer a free web based virus scan for your computer. Free programs are available from AVG, Avast, Microsft Security Essentials, Panda, Evira and others.
Make sure you download from the develops website (or someone like cnet.com) and that you choose the FREE version, if you're not of the mind to pay for a more elaborate version.
3) Windows Tech Support Scam
A "phishing" scam that has appeared lately using the telephone to "trap" you. They claim they have been alerted by Microsoft, your ISP or whomever, that your computer is running slowly because of viruses. The scammer offers to run a free diagnostic test to show the "malware" and infections on your computer.
The scammer then offers to fix the nonexistent problem (using a program in your Windows operating system, that you will allow them to use - you have just given control to an unknown person!), but in reality they are just going to download an infected program to validate their phone call! They will also try to sell you a bogus warranty, which requires you to provide your credit card details. Surprise, surprise!
Microsoft never cold calls anyone about anything!! If someone calls and says there is a problem with your computer they can fix, just hang up or impolitely tell them where to go.
3) "Nuisance" emails.
You know the ones that go around make all sorts of claims about helping people, making medical claims etc., all claiming validation by snopes.com and others. If you think the email has some merit, then check with snopes or hoaxbusters by going directly to their site (DO NOT click on the embedded website in the email). DON'T just blindly send it on, please!
NEVER reply to "spam" emails either. Either mark them as Junk/Spam or use block sender, depending upon what email reader you are using. To answer is merely to let the spammer know that you are a real live address!
Another email doing the rounds at the moment threatens to close down your email account unless you verify all the details (and they ask for your password!) with the Sender. Let them close it down - start up a new account with Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail, no big problem. Your ISP or email provider is not going to send such an email to you!
To those of you who may have watched and remembered Hill St Blues - American cop show - the Sergeant each day would say to his troops "Be careful out there", which now applies to the internet. And I would add "But have fun and learn".
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Christmas & New Year Greetings
TO ALL MY FRIENDS, I WISH FOR YOU KIND BLESSINGS FOR THE YEAR AND MAY 2011 BRING HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.
p.s. no postings for December.
p.s. no postings for December.
Windows 7 More tips
Take Control!!
Tired of the kids (or anyone else) installing dubious software or running applications you'd rather they left alone? AppLocker is a new Windows 7 feature that ensures users can only run the programs you specify. Don't worry, that's easier to set up than it sounds: you can create a rule to allow everything signed by a particular publisher, so choose Microsoft, say, and that one rule will let you run all signed Microsoft applications. Launch GPEDIT.MSC and go to Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Application Control Policies > AppLocker to get a feel for how this works.
Calculate More
At first glance the Windows 7 calculator looks just like Vista's version, but explore the Mode menu and you'll see powerful new Statistics and Programmer views. And if you're clueless about bitwise manipulation, then try the Options menu instead. This offers many different unit conversions (length, weight, volume and more), date calculations (how many days between two dates?), and spreadsheet-type templates to help you calculate vehicle mileage, mortgage rates and more.
Don't take any Windows 7 applet at face value, then - there are some very powerful new features hidden in the background. Be sure to explore every option in all Windows applets to ensure you don't miss anything important.
Troubleshoot Problems
If some part of Windows 7 is behaving strangely, and you don't know why, then click Control Panel > Find and fix problems (or 'Troubleshooting') to access the new troubleshooting packs. These are simple wizards that will resolve common problems, check your settings, clean up your system and more.
Startup Repair
If you've downloaded Windows 7 (and even if you haven't) it's a good idea to create a system repair disc straight away in case you run into problems booting the OS later on. Click Start > Maintenance > Create a System Repair Disc, and let Windows 7 build a bootable emergency disc. If the worst does happen then it could be the only way to get your PC running again.
Burn Images
Windows 7 finally introduces a feature that other operating systems have had for years - the ability to burn ISO images to CDs or DVDs. And it couldn't be much easier to use. Just double-click the ISO image, choose the drive with the blank disc, click Burn and watch as your disc is created.
Right-click Everything
At first glance Windows 7 bears a striking resemblance to Vista, but there's an easy way to begin spotting the differences - just right-click things.
Right-click an empty part of the desktop, for instance, and you'll find a menu entry to set your screen resolution. No need to go browsing through the display settings any more.
Right-click the Explorer icon on the taskbar for speedy access to common system folders: Documents, Pictures, the Windows folder, and more.
And if you don't plan on using Internet Explorer then you probably won't want its icon permanently displayed on the taskbar. Right-click the icon, select 'Unpin this program from the taskbar', then go install Firefox, instead.
Display the old taskbar button context menu
Right-click a taskbar button, though, and you'll now see its jumplist menu. That's a useful new feature, but not much help if you want to access the minimize, maximize, or move options that used to be available. Fortunately there's an easy way to get the old context menu back - just hold down Ctrl and Shift as you right-click the taskbar button.
Recover Screen Space
The new Windows 7 taskbar acts as one big quick launch toolbar that can hold whatever program shortcuts you like (just right-click one and select Pin To Taskbar). And that's fine, except it does consume a little more screen real estate than we'd like. Shrink it to a more manageable size by right-clicking the Start orb, then Properties > Taskbar > Use small icons > OK.
See More Detail
The new and improved Windows 7 magnifier offers a much easier way to zoom in on any area of the screen. Launch it and you can now define a scale factor and docking position, and once activated it can track your keyboard focus around the screen. Press Tab as you move around a dialog box, say, and it'll automatically zoom in on the currently active control.
Tired of the kids (or anyone else) installing dubious software or running applications you'd rather they left alone? AppLocker is a new Windows 7 feature that ensures users can only run the programs you specify. Don't worry, that's easier to set up than it sounds: you can create a rule to allow everything signed by a particular publisher, so choose Microsoft, say, and that one rule will let you run all signed Microsoft applications. Launch GPEDIT.MSC and go to Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Application Control Policies > AppLocker to get a feel for how this works.
Calculate More
At first glance the Windows 7 calculator looks just like Vista's version, but explore the Mode menu and you'll see powerful new Statistics and Programmer views. And if you're clueless about bitwise manipulation, then try the Options menu instead. This offers many different unit conversions (length, weight, volume and more), date calculations (how many days between two dates?), and spreadsheet-type templates to help you calculate vehicle mileage, mortgage rates and more.
Don't take any Windows 7 applet at face value, then - there are some very powerful new features hidden in the background. Be sure to explore every option in all Windows applets to ensure you don't miss anything important.
Troubleshoot Problems
If some part of Windows 7 is behaving strangely, and you don't know why, then click Control Panel > Find and fix problems (or 'Troubleshooting') to access the new troubleshooting packs. These are simple wizards that will resolve common problems, check your settings, clean up your system and more.
Startup Repair
If you've downloaded Windows 7 (and even if you haven't) it's a good idea to create a system repair disc straight away in case you run into problems booting the OS later on. Click Start > Maintenance > Create a System Repair Disc, and let Windows 7 build a bootable emergency disc. If the worst does happen then it could be the only way to get your PC running again.
Burn Images
Windows 7 finally introduces a feature that other operating systems have had for years - the ability to burn ISO images to CDs or DVDs. And it couldn't be much easier to use. Just double-click the ISO image, choose the drive with the blank disc, click Burn and watch as your disc is created.
Right-click Everything
At first glance Windows 7 bears a striking resemblance to Vista, but there's an easy way to begin spotting the differences - just right-click things.
Right-click an empty part of the desktop, for instance, and you'll find a menu entry to set your screen resolution. No need to go browsing through the display settings any more.
Right-click the Explorer icon on the taskbar for speedy access to common system folders: Documents, Pictures, the Windows folder, and more.
And if you don't plan on using Internet Explorer then you probably won't want its icon permanently displayed on the taskbar. Right-click the icon, select 'Unpin this program from the taskbar', then go install Firefox, instead.
Display the old taskbar button context menu
Right-click a taskbar button, though, and you'll now see its jumplist menu. That's a useful new feature, but not much help if you want to access the minimize, maximize, or move options that used to be available. Fortunately there's an easy way to get the old context menu back - just hold down Ctrl and Shift as you right-click the taskbar button.
Recover Screen Space
The new Windows 7 taskbar acts as one big quick launch toolbar that can hold whatever program shortcuts you like (just right-click one and select Pin To Taskbar). And that's fine, except it does consume a little more screen real estate than we'd like. Shrink it to a more manageable size by right-clicking the Start orb, then Properties > Taskbar > Use small icons > OK.
See More Detail
The new and improved Windows 7 magnifier offers a much easier way to zoom in on any area of the screen. Launch it and you can now define a scale factor and docking position, and once activated it can track your keyboard focus around the screen. Press Tab as you move around a dialog box, say, and it'll automatically zoom in on the currently active control.
Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts
The Windows key now performs a wide variety of functions. Here are a handful of the most useful ones:
Win+h - Move current window to full screen
Win+i - Restore current full screen window to normal size or minimise current window if not full screen
Win+Shift+arrow - Move current window to alternate screen
Win+D - Minimise all windows and show the desktop
Win+E - Launch Explorer with Computer as the focus
Win+F - Launch a search window
Win+G - Cycle through gadgets
Win+L - Lock the desktop
Win+M - Minimise the current window
Win+R - Open the Run window
Win+T - Cycle through task bar opening Aero Peek for each running item
Win+U - Open the Ease of Use center
Win+Space - Aero Peek the desktop
Ctrl+Win+Tab - Open persistent task selection window, roll mouse over each icon to preview item and minimise others.
Win+h - Move current window to full screen
Win+i - Restore current full screen window to normal size or minimise current window if not full screen
Win+Shift+arrow - Move current window to alternate screen
Win+D - Minimise all windows and show the desktop
Win+E - Launch Explorer with Computer as the focus
Win+F - Launch a search window
Win+G - Cycle through gadgets
Win+L - Lock the desktop
Win+M - Minimise the current window
Win+R - Open the Run window
Win+T - Cycle through task bar opening Aero Peek for each running item
Win+U - Open the Ease of Use center
Win+Space - Aero Peek the desktop
Ctrl+Win+Tab - Open persistent task selection window, roll mouse over each icon to preview item and minimise others.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Customise Your Windows Desktop
Learn how to reposition the taskbar, resize your icons, and save your desktop layout.
Widescreen monitors are great for watching movies and organizing windows side-by-side, but a lot of time the space goes to waste. I've got a great tip that's particularly applicable to laptop and netbook users: Move the Windows taskbar to the side of the screen. Also, do you spend time and effort getting your Windows desktop to look just the way you want it, only to have some annoying program rearrange your icons? Read on for a cool little program that gets your desktop back to the way you want it--plus a quick way to resize your icons.
Move the Taskbar to the Side of the Screen
If you've been a Windows user as long as I have, I promise you'll hate this--at first. But think about it: Web pages, Word documents, and the like run top-to-bottom, so the more vertical space you can give them, the better.
By relocating the taskbar to the left side of the screen (or the right, if you prefer), you're freeing up vertical space for stuff you use every day while making smarter use of wasted horizontal space.
Ready to give it a try? The steps are the same in both Windows Vista and Windows 7:
Right-click an empty area of the taskbar and clear the check mark next to Lock the taskbar. Left-click and hold an empty area of the taskbar, then drag it to the left side of the screen. Once you get close, you'll see it lock in, at which point you can release the mouse button.
That's all there is to it! Vista users may want to extend the width of the taskbar to better see the labels for programs that are running. But Windows 7 can keep the taskbar its naturally narrow self, as that OS doesn't have running-program labels anyway. Indeed, I think the "side taskbar" works better in Windows 7 than in any previous version of the OS. But regardless, if you have a system with a widescreen monitor, give this a try for a couple days and see if you don't really like the change. (If you don't, you can always drag the taskbar back to the bottom.)
Change the Size of Vista's Desktop Icons
Ever wish you could change the size of Vista's desktop icons? For example, recent migrants from Windows XP may prefer its smaller icons to Vista's larger ones. On the flipside, if you're running Vista on a TV or ultra-high-resolution monitor, you may want to make the icons larger still.
The option to change icon size is hiding in plain sight. Before I tell you where to find it, a note of caution: If you have your icons organized a particular way, resizing them will probably mess up that order. Obviously you can re-organize them when you're done; I just wanted to spare you the shock and sadness of seeing your icons suddenly messy.
Here's how to resize them:
Right-click in any open area of the desktop (meaning not on a program icon).
In the pop-up menu that appears, mouse over View to see your three icon-size choices. Vista's default is Medium. If you want XP-style icons, choose Classic Icons. For super-big icons, choose Large Icons.
Save Your Desktop Icon Layout
You know the routine: Some game or application changes your screen resolution, and when it changes back again, your carefully crafted icon layout is totally messed up. Not cool, Windows. Not cool.
Fortunately, there's a little gem of a utility: DesktopOK. This nifty bit of freeware lets you save and restore icon layouts. Set your icons the way you like them, save the layout, then just restore it later when the need arises.
And you're not limited to one layout: You can save as many as you want, which is great if you want different layouts for use with, say, your laptop with and without an external monitor.
Widescreen monitors are great for watching movies and organizing windows side-by-side, but a lot of time the space goes to waste. I've got a great tip that's particularly applicable to laptop and netbook users: Move the Windows taskbar to the side of the screen. Also, do you spend time and effort getting your Windows desktop to look just the way you want it, only to have some annoying program rearrange your icons? Read on for a cool little program that gets your desktop back to the way you want it--plus a quick way to resize your icons.
Move the Taskbar to the Side of the Screen
If you've been a Windows user as long as I have, I promise you'll hate this--at first. But think about it: Web pages, Word documents, and the like run top-to-bottom, so the more vertical space you can give them, the better.
By relocating the taskbar to the left side of the screen (or the right, if you prefer), you're freeing up vertical space for stuff you use every day while making smarter use of wasted horizontal space.
Ready to give it a try? The steps are the same in both Windows Vista and Windows 7:
Right-click an empty area of the taskbar and clear the check mark next to Lock the taskbar. Left-click and hold an empty area of the taskbar, then drag it to the left side of the screen. Once you get close, you'll see it lock in, at which point you can release the mouse button.
That's all there is to it! Vista users may want to extend the width of the taskbar to better see the labels for programs that are running. But Windows 7 can keep the taskbar its naturally narrow self, as that OS doesn't have running-program labels anyway. Indeed, I think the "side taskbar" works better in Windows 7 than in any previous version of the OS. But regardless, if you have a system with a widescreen monitor, give this a try for a couple days and see if you don't really like the change. (If you don't, you can always drag the taskbar back to the bottom.)
Change the Size of Vista's Desktop Icons
Ever wish you could change the size of Vista's desktop icons? For example, recent migrants from Windows XP may prefer its smaller icons to Vista's larger ones. On the flipside, if you're running Vista on a TV or ultra-high-resolution monitor, you may want to make the icons larger still.
The option to change icon size is hiding in plain sight. Before I tell you where to find it, a note of caution: If you have your icons organized a particular way, resizing them will probably mess up that order. Obviously you can re-organize them when you're done; I just wanted to spare you the shock and sadness of seeing your icons suddenly messy.
Here's how to resize them:
Right-click in any open area of the desktop (meaning not on a program icon).
In the pop-up menu that appears, mouse over View to see your three icon-size choices. Vista's default is Medium. If you want XP-style icons, choose Classic Icons. For super-big icons, choose Large Icons.
Save Your Desktop Icon Layout
You know the routine: Some game or application changes your screen resolution, and when it changes back again, your carefully crafted icon layout is totally messed up. Not cool, Windows. Not cool.
Fortunately, there's a little gem of a utility: DesktopOK. This nifty bit of freeware lets you save and restore icon layouts. Set your icons the way you like them, save the layout, then just restore it later when the need arises.
And you're not limited to one layout: You can save as many as you want, which is great if you want different layouts for use with, say, your laptop with and without an external monitor.
SHOW HIDDEN FILES AND FOLDERS
Can be very handy at times if you're looking for a file or folder.
1. Start Button or Start Orb
2. Control Panel
3. Folder Options
4. View tab
5. Check “Hidden files and folders: Show all files and folders”
6. Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)”
7. Click “apply” and then “OK”
And now you can see more than what Microsoft (aka "Big Brother"?) felt you should see!
1. Start Button or Start Orb
2. Control Panel
3. Folder Options
4. View tab
5. Check “Hidden files and folders: Show all files and folders”
6. Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)”
7. Click “apply” and then “OK”
And now you can see more than what Microsoft (aka "Big Brother"?) felt you should see!
PUSH/PULL EMAIL - WHAT IS THAT?
Push email utilises a mail delivery system with real-time capability to “push” email through to the client as soon as it arrives, rather than requiring the client to poll and collect or pull mail manually. With a push email smartphone, for example, the client’s mailbox is constantly updated with arriving email without user intervention. Smartphones announce new mail arrival with an alert.
Push email differs from conventional email systems that are “pull” oriented. Usually, when email is sent, it arrives at the recipient’s Internet Service Provider’s (ISP’s) mail server, where it is held for collection. It might instead arrive at a website server, if the email is Web-based. Either way, email remains on the mail server until the recipient uses an email program to poll the mail server. If new mail is present, the email client “pulls” the mail to the client’s computer. The difference between this scheme and push email is that, with push email, the mail is pushed through to the client without waiting for polling.
Push email can be somewhat simulated using an email client set to frequently poll for new mail. However, this requires the email client to be open and running and is less efficient. Polling involves “handshaking” between the client software and the mail server. If the server is busy, the delay in completing the handshake can lengthen, causing the client to time out.
Therefore, polling should not be set so frequently as to cause premature time out errors. To prevent this, one must increase the delay between polling times. In many cases, a minute or two delay between “pull email” and push email schemes may not matter, but in some cases, a minute can make all the difference. Push email can be especially crucial to field reporters, stock market businessmen and other professionals for whom time is of the essence. A one-minute delay can make all the difference in breaking a story, losing money, or making a crucial sale.
BlackBerry was the first personal digital assistant (PDA) to offer push email and gained near-instant success as a result. Today, many devices have incorporated push email, and its popularity continues to grow.
Push email differs from conventional email systems that are “pull” oriented. Usually, when email is sent, it arrives at the recipient’s Internet Service Provider’s (ISP’s) mail server, where it is held for collection. It might instead arrive at a website server, if the email is Web-based. Either way, email remains on the mail server until the recipient uses an email program to poll the mail server. If new mail is present, the email client “pulls” the mail to the client’s computer. The difference between this scheme and push email is that, with push email, the mail is pushed through to the client without waiting for polling.
Push email can be somewhat simulated using an email client set to frequently poll for new mail. However, this requires the email client to be open and running and is less efficient. Polling involves “handshaking” between the client software and the mail server. If the server is busy, the delay in completing the handshake can lengthen, causing the client to time out.
Therefore, polling should not be set so frequently as to cause premature time out errors. To prevent this, one must increase the delay between polling times. In many cases, a minute or two delay between “pull email” and push email schemes may not matter, but in some cases, a minute can make all the difference. Push email can be especially crucial to field reporters, stock market businessmen and other professionals for whom time is of the essence. A one-minute delay can make all the difference in breaking a story, losing money, or making a crucial sale.
BlackBerry was the first personal digital assistant (PDA) to offer push email and gained near-instant success as a result. Today, many devices have incorporated push email, and its popularity continues to grow.
IDENTITY THEFT - CELL/MOBILE PHONES
KEEPING SMART PHONES SAFE:-
Take advantage of your phone’s built-in security features, such as setting a PIN or password to unlock the device.
-Pay attention to system updates from your wireless carrier and be sure to install required upgrades.
-Back up data such as contacts and documents and sync regularly to keep the information current.
-Don’t click on links in text messages from unfamiliar senders.
-Stick with trusted sources and well-known brand names when downloading third-party applications.
"If you look like your passport/drivers licence picture, you probably need the trip."
Take advantage of your phone’s built-in security features, such as setting a PIN or password to unlock the device.
-Pay attention to system updates from your wireless carrier and be sure to install required upgrades.
-Back up data such as contacts and documents and sync regularly to keep the information current.
-Don’t click on links in text messages from unfamiliar senders.
-Stick with trusted sources and well-known brand names when downloading third-party applications.
"If you look like your passport/drivers licence picture, you probably need the trip."
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Terrific General Tip - Undo Function
Undo function, which can be lifesaver when you need to reverse whatever unintended (and/or unwanted) action you just took.
Most often, that's something like an accidental paragraph deletion in Word, or clicking the wrong option in a pull-down menu.
Undo (keyboard shortcut, Ctrl+Z) can do more than just fix typos and reverse errant clicks.
For example, let's say you just deleted a file you didn't mean to delete. Instead of opening up the Recycle Bin and poking around until you find the file, a simple press of Ctrl+Z should restore it to the folder window from which you deleted it. The same applies to batches of deleted files.
Also, a very common boo-boo is when you inadvertently rename a file. Can't remember the old filename? No problem: Just press Ctrl+Z (before you close the folder containing the file) and presto, it reverts to the original name.
Needless to say, Undo is your go-to function for undoing unwanted actions and changes. Once you start using Ctrl+Z on a regular basis, you'll wonder how you got along without it.
In a nutshell, Undo undoes whatever action you just took, whether it was erasing a paragraph, deleting an e-mail, editing a snippet of video, or adding numbers to a spreadsheet cell.
Just about every application known to man has an Undo feature--usually in the Edit menu, and almost always a Ctrl+Z-press away. What's more, many programs support multiple levels of undo, meaning you can reverse not only the most recent action, but also the one before that, the one before that, and so on.
Need to undo an undo? Some apps offer a "redo" option: Tap Ctrl+Y to un-reverse whatever action you just reversed. Or, if you're more of a menu person, look for Redo in the Edit menu. It won't be far from Undo.
Most often, that's something like an accidental paragraph deletion in Word, or clicking the wrong option in a pull-down menu.
Undo (keyboard shortcut, Ctrl+Z) can do more than just fix typos and reverse errant clicks.
For example, let's say you just deleted a file you didn't mean to delete. Instead of opening up the Recycle Bin and poking around until you find the file, a simple press of Ctrl+Z should restore it to the folder window from which you deleted it. The same applies to batches of deleted files.
Also, a very common boo-boo is when you inadvertently rename a file. Can't remember the old filename? No problem: Just press Ctrl+Z (before you close the folder containing the file) and presto, it reverts to the original name.
Needless to say, Undo is your go-to function for undoing unwanted actions and changes. Once you start using Ctrl+Z on a regular basis, you'll wonder how you got along without it.
In a nutshell, Undo undoes whatever action you just took, whether it was erasing a paragraph, deleting an e-mail, editing a snippet of video, or adding numbers to a spreadsheet cell.
Just about every application known to man has an Undo feature--usually in the Edit menu, and almost always a Ctrl+Z-press away. What's more, many programs support multiple levels of undo, meaning you can reverse not only the most recent action, but also the one before that, the one before that, and so on.
Need to undo an undo? Some apps offer a "redo" option: Tap Ctrl+Y to un-reverse whatever action you just reversed. Or, if you're more of a menu person, look for Redo in the Edit menu. It won't be far from Undo.
Windows 7 Tips
Screen Calibration
Fortunately, Windows 7 comes with a display calibration wizard that lets you set up the screen brightness properly, so you won’t have any problems viewing photos or text. The problem was that on one PC a photo could look sharp and bright and on another it looks awful. Now the problem can be fixed by pressing the Windows logo key and then typing “DCCW” (without the quotes). DCCW is Display Color Calibration Wizard.
Dock The Current Windows To The Left Side Of The Screen
This new feature seems useful because sometimes it’s disturbing that windows seems to float like crazy on the screen and it’s hard to attach them to one side of it. Now this can easily be done using a keyboard shortcut. Press the Windows key + Left key (arrow) to dock it to the left side of the screen.
Dock The Current Windows To The Right Side Of The Screen
Press the Windows key + Right key to dock it to the right side of the screen.
Background Photo Slideshow
If you are like me, lazy and bored, then you will want to change the background from time to time, wasting a lot of time. Now you don’t have to do this anymore, because you can set up a slideshow.
Right click on the desktop then go to Personalize -> Desktop Background and hold the CTRL key while choosing the images. Then you can choose the time intervals between images and opt to display them randomly or in a row.
Powerful new calculator
The Windows 7 calculator might initially seem nothing special, but it has hidden depths. It includes plenty of unit conversions such as length and weight, while you can also do date-related calculations such as working out the number of days before a certain date.
In addition, there are ready-to-go Worksheets for vehicle economy, leasing costs and mortgage calculations. The main menu also gives you powerful new Statistics and Programmer modes.
The treatment of the calculator is typical of how many standard Windows applications have been given new life.
Bring fonts to life
Ever been frustrated by not being able to see what fonts look like? Now you can banish that irritation forever.
In Windows 7 previewing Fonts is easy. The new Fonts applet in Control Panel gives you a preview for each font on your system, so you'll be to see all your fonts at a glance. Handily, Windows 7 also groups together font families, so when you can still see the different fonts within a family, the window makes things simple with just a single entry for each family.
In case you didn't know, Windows 7 also introduces a new open type script font called Gabriola.
Fortunately, Windows 7 comes with a display calibration wizard that lets you set up the screen brightness properly, so you won’t have any problems viewing photos or text. The problem was that on one PC a photo could look sharp and bright and on another it looks awful. Now the problem can be fixed by pressing the Windows logo key and then typing “DCCW” (without the quotes). DCCW is Display Color Calibration Wizard.
Dock The Current Windows To The Left Side Of The Screen
This new feature seems useful because sometimes it’s disturbing that windows seems to float like crazy on the screen and it’s hard to attach them to one side of it. Now this can easily be done using a keyboard shortcut. Press the Windows key + Left key (arrow) to dock it to the left side of the screen.
Dock The Current Windows To The Right Side Of The Screen
Press the Windows key + Right key to dock it to the right side of the screen.
Background Photo Slideshow
If you are like me, lazy and bored, then you will want to change the background from time to time, wasting a lot of time. Now you don’t have to do this anymore, because you can set up a slideshow.
Right click on the desktop then go to Personalize -> Desktop Background and hold the CTRL key while choosing the images. Then you can choose the time intervals between images and opt to display them randomly or in a row.
Powerful new calculator
The Windows 7 calculator might initially seem nothing special, but it has hidden depths. It includes plenty of unit conversions such as length and weight, while you can also do date-related calculations such as working out the number of days before a certain date.
In addition, there are ready-to-go Worksheets for vehicle economy, leasing costs and mortgage calculations. The main menu also gives you powerful new Statistics and Programmer modes.
The treatment of the calculator is typical of how many standard Windows applications have been given new life.
Bring fonts to life
Ever been frustrated by not being able to see what fonts look like? Now you can banish that irritation forever.
In Windows 7 previewing Fonts is easy. The new Fonts applet in Control Panel gives you a preview for each font on your system, so you'll be to see all your fonts at a glance. Handily, Windows 7 also groups together font families, so when you can still see the different fonts within a family, the window makes things simple with just a single entry for each family.
In case you didn't know, Windows 7 also introduces a new open type script font called Gabriola.
3D TV
These things are sent to try us - no sooner than I mention that SBS is going to broadcast World Cup Football in 3D, along comes Channel Nine and Harvey Norman who broadcast Rugby league's State of Origin in 3D.
Mobile Phone System
Research firm NPD Group reported that Google Android edged out Apple iPhone for the number two spot in the smart phone market in the United States in Q1, with both of them running behind BlackBerry by Research in Motion; the Android surge spurred talk of the Google system quickly overcoming Apple and, in the words of more than one columnist, becoming "the Windows of smart phone" operating systems; like Windows, Android is available on a wide range of phones, and like niche Mac computers, the iPhone system is available only on Apple products.
The No 1 US yuppie phone company Verizon announced it will soon be selling a tablet computer with an Android operating system.
"My friend has a lifesaving tool in her car which is designed to cut through a seat belt if she gets trapped. She keeps it in the car boot - they walk among us!"
The No 1 US yuppie phone company Verizon announced it will soon be selling a tablet computer with an Android operating system.
"My friend has a lifesaving tool in her car which is designed to cut through a seat belt if she gets trapped. She keeps it in the car boot - they walk among us!"
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