May 14, 2010

Support for Windows XP SP2 Ending in July 2010

Microsoft announced this week that they will stop supporting Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows 2000 on July 13, 2010.

It is estimated that 50% of Windows XP machines in use by businesses are running Service Pack 2. Infected PCs in corporate settings are in high demand by cyber gangs who place them in networks, or botnets, of thousands of other infected PCs used to spread spam, steal data, hijack online bank accounts and shut down websites for extortion or political reasons.

The official Microsoft recommendation is to upgrade to Windows 7 but the other option is of course using Windows Update to get XP SP3 or just downloading it from Microsoft. Windows 2000 isn’t so lucky, it looks like its time is up for good. If you are still using Windows 2000, it's time to upgrade to something newer.

May 11, 2010

Another free AntiVirus product - from Microsoft!

Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.

Microsoft Security Essentials is a free download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology.

Go here to download Microsoft Security Essentials.

Apr 29, 2010

New Operating System Overview: Ubuntu 10.04

Apr 22, 2010

Make the Firefox Address Bar Easier to Read

Before:

After:


If you have trouble seeing the Firefox address bar because your monitor is very large or your eyes are very old ;-), this hack will fix that.

1. Close the Firefox application.

2. Go to the Firefox chrome configuration folder
(you may need to un-hide hidden files and folders in the Folder Options Control Panel):

Windows Vista and Windows 7:
C:\Users\[UserName]\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\.default\chrome

Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\[UserName]\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\[random string].default\chrome

OS X (Leopard & Snow Leopard):
Macintosh HD/Users/[UserName]/Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles/[random string].default/chrome

3. Look for a file named "userChrome.css". If it is not there, then copy "userChrome-example.css" to "userChrome.css".

Use Notepad (or TextEdit on the Mac) to edit userChrome.css. Add this line at the bottom of the file and then save:

  #urlbar { font-size:20px !important; height:37px !important; }

4. Restart Firefox.

Apr 20, 2010

Fix Infected Windows Systems That Won't Boot!

AVG has released a free Rescue CD that is a bootable CD that launches a Linux based interface to scan your Windows or Linux operating system for viruses and other malware. This is ideal for when the effects of the virus are preventing the operating system from booting.

The rescue CD also includes other tools such as a file manager, a registry editor, Hard drive recovery tool, Ping and some common Linux programs including the VI editor.

If your computer supports booting from a USB drive, you can also install to a USB Thumb drive.

Go here to download the AVG Rescue CD.

Oct 22, 2009

Windows 7

Official Web Site: www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/
From: Microsoft Corporation
Available: Now
Pricing: Consumers who purchase a new computer after June 26th will qualify for a free upgrade to Windows 7 from these versions of Vista only: Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate. Vista Starter, Home Basic and Enterprise editions are not included. Upgrade pricing from Vista TBD. Rumored retail pricing for Home, Professional and Ultimate ($259, $299, $319).
Hardware Requirements: 1GHz or faster 32-bit or 64-bit processor
1GB of memory and 16GB of free disk space (32-bit)
2GB of memory and 20GB of free disk space (64-bit)
Notable Feature: "XP Mode" virtualization (run Windows XP applications inside of Windows 7).

Microsoft also has available a Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. It scans your PC to see if it's ready for Windows 7, and tells you about any known compatibility issues: Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor Beta

Aug 28, 2009

Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6)

Official Web Site: www.apple.com/macosx/
From: Apple Inc.
Available: Now
Pricing: $29 to upgrade from Leopard. $49 for Family Pack.
Hardware Requirements: Mac computer with Intel processor
1GB of memory, 5GB of free disk space
Notable Feature: All native OS X apps, like Mail, Quicktime, Finder, and Safari, coded for 64-bit compatibility.

Aug 7, 2009

Fix another Office 2007 Annoyance - the Missing Menu Bar

UBitMenu will emulate the Office 2003 style menu in Word 2007, Excel 2007 and Powerpoint 2007. If you have spent agonizing minutes trying to find features in Word, Excel or PowerPoint ribbons after upgrading to Microsoft Office 2007 that would have been at your finger tips in Office 2003 you will soon appreciate UBitMenu.

Go here to download and install the Classic Menu for Office 2007 (UBitMenu). Free for personal use.

Aug 2, 2009

Free Printer Drivers for Mac OS X (Gutenprint)

Gutenprint is a package of high quality printer drivers for Macintosh OS X and other UNIX-alike operating systems. High quality drivers are available for over 1300 inkjet, dye sublimation, and laser printers, including Canon, Epson, Lexmark, Sony, Olympus, and PCL printers. In many cases, these drivers rival or exceed the OEM drivers in quality and functionality.

Please see our free Mac software page for the link to Gutenprint: Mac Software

Jul 8, 2009

Free AntiVirus software for Mac OS X (iAntiVirus)

The Mac is not vulnerable to very many viruses, but for those users who want some extra protection, PC Tools is now offering a free program, iAntiVirus, that provides real-time protection and comprehensive system scanning to ensure your Mac remains safe and virus free: iAntiVirus

We have more free Mac software links here: Mac Software

Apr 19, 2009

Online Backup Services

Data backup is important for both home and business users. In addition to your own local data backup (external hard drives, CD's, DVD's, etc.), you should also consider using an online backup service. You should be backing up your financial files, email, digital photos, music, scanned documents, address books and any other data you create.

If you have a broadband connection to the internet, online backup services can guarantee you have an additional offsite copy in case of fire, theft or other natural disasters.

Setup is very easy and the backup is done automatically in the background during idle time on your computer. Likewise, restoring data is very easy too.

Two economical and dependable services we recommend are Carbonite and Mozy. Both offer products for Windows or Mac. Visit their web sites for more information and to sign up!