| Please remember to use your thinker, before you tinker! | |
| Please remember to use your thinker, before you tinker! | |
A Periodic Newsletter for the Members of the PC User Group Community !!!
In this edition .......
A Windows Tip
Guest Column - Telephone Tracing Can Be Scary by Sandy Berger
Dave "Bytes" Reader Poll
What's Happening Now!
Can You Run Windows 7?
Dave's Cool Downloads - Autoruns & Screamer Radio
The "Bytes" Mailbag
Windows 7 - What Can You Expect
While Wandering the Web - Online Signs
Guest Commentary - George Whitesell
Bumper Sticker
Backup! Backup! Backup!
Pause for Thought
Guestbook
Here's a quick shortcut for anyone who's found themselves acting like a telegraph operator on their backspace key. You know what I'm talking about. You've just finished a line of text, it doesn't look right, so you want to delete the whole line. “Ratta-tatta-ratta-ratta”, and your finger falls off...
There's a better way! Simply put your cursor at the beginning of the line you want to delete and press Shift+End. This will cause the whole line to be selected, and all you have to do after that is press delete or backspace to finish the job! The best part is that because your cursor is already at the beginning of the line, all you have to do is type!
Deletion, simplified!
Have A Question? Why Not "Byte" Me? |
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Your opinions are important to me and I'd appreciate your feedback by taking the following Poll Question
It could take a couple of days for all the explicit results to be removed from the search results, Google spokesman Scott Rubin told Ars Technica. As one might expect, the pornographic clips are being uploaded without any indication that they’re for adult eyes only, making them easy to happen upon by casual searchers. As the upload-fest has progressed, users are also uploading what seems to be legitimate content, but is in fact a porn video that simply has 20-30 seconds of non-porn content (a newscast, an interview) at the beginning.
About 90.4 percent of all e-mail is spam, an increase of 5 percent from last month, MessageLabs said Tuesday. That means one out of every 1.1 e-mails is a spam message.
What caused the spike? Webmail, social networking sites, and botnets are just a few of the culprits, the company said.
Webmail and social networking profiles are "goldmines for spammers," according to MessageLabs. "All spammers use is a subject line and a valid hyperlink to active profiles on one of a number of major social networking sites. These e-mails originate from legitimate addresses on some of the main webmail providers making them harder to catch by regular anti-spam filters."
Spammers are also taking advantage of social networks via tools that crack the automated CAPTCHA terms users must type in before setting up accounts.
Spammers are most active during the U.S. workday, MessageLabs found, suggesting that active spammers are either based in this country or find the U.S. workforce the most attractive targets.
"A new harder to crack CAPTCHA technology is on the horizon and spammers want to maximize their profits before this new breed of CAPTCHAs are let loose as a deterrent to spammers and phishers," according to MessageLabs.
Meanwhile, about 57.6 percent of spam was sent via botnets. The most active botnet, known as Donbot, sent 18.2 percent of spam and is most active in Asia. Two botnets, known as Rustock and Bagle, meanwhile, are most active in the Americas and make up 20 percent of spam. In the rest of the world, there are the Cutwail and Xarvester botnets, which account for 10 percent of spam.
Autoruns
Autoruns is one of the Sysinternals utilities developed by Mark Russinovich and Bryce Cogswell. Somebody at Microsoft must have admired their work, because Microsoft bought the company last year and now touts these utilities from its own web site.
If you like to listen to the radio, the free Screamer Radio application brings hundreds of radio stations to your fingertips. Just download the application, choose a station and start playing.
This program runs as a small window where you can adjust the settings, play, mute, and stop as well as choose the station. The stations can be chosen by genre like jazz, classical, rock, etc, by language, by network, or by geographical region.
The program isn't perfect. Sometimes it can't connect to a given station, but it is easy to use and doesn't take a lot of computer recourses to run. You can store your favorite stations right in the Favorites area of the program.
The neatest thing is that you can record anything you hear. If you press the Rec button in the middle of the song, the recorder is smart enough to start the recording at the beginning so you get the entire song. By default, the music that you record is put in your Music folder in a folder called Screamer Radio. You can go into the program's Settings and change the location, if you like. After recording a song, you can play it on your computer or put it in iTunes or on your MP3player.
Q:
I just set up a wireless network in my home and while I love it, I'm still a little concerned about others being able to use my signal or even hack into my computer. I was told that hiding my SSID will take care of the problem, but I'm not sold on that idea. I'm not even sure what an SSID is or how to hide it. Can you please help me? Thanks!
A:
First of all, I want to welcome you to the world of wireless! I've been using a wireless connection in my home for a few years now and I absolutely love it. I'm sure you will too! And it's very impressive that you're already concerned about your safety when it comes to using your wireless network. A lot of people don't start worrying about that until it's too late, so it's great that you're already so far ahead of the game. I think your question will help a lot of other readers out there who are using wireless networks as well. I just love that!
As we all know, when you use a wireless router, there's always a chance that other computers will be able to pick up your signal and use it, without you ever knowing a thing about it. Even
more than that, there's always the risk of your computer being hacked into as well. So, what can you do to keep yourself safe when using your wireless connection? Well, the person who asked today's question mentioned hiding their SSID and while that helps, it's not always the best solution. Let's take a look at our options!
To begin, wireless routers are set up to send out a beacon called the Service Set IDentifier (SSID), which is what helps your wireless devices (laptop, etc.) connect to the Internet. The main purpose of the SSID is to broadcast wireless signals and invite available devices within range to connect to them. Now, if a device doesn't know a network's SSID, it will not be able to connect. So, if you change your SSID settings, only the people who know the SSID will be able to connect to your wireless network. That can help keep some of the "outsiders" away.
Now, while hiding your SSID keeps casual users at bay, you could still have trouble with hackers. Unfortunately, a hacker who is determined enough to get into your network will find a way. If they have the right kind of software, they will be able to easily gain access to your computer. Plus, changing your SSID can result in a slower performance and it could take you longer to connect to the Internet. Who wants that?! Luckily, there are a few other things you can do to keep your wireless network as secure as possible. Let's check them out!
For starters, you can change your router's login and password to be different from the default settings. If you're still using the login and password that came with your router, anyone could connect to it, change your settings and even lock you out. You should also change your SSID to something a little more unique. Most routers come with a name of "default," which is very easy for hackers to figure out. You should change it to something a little more meaningful to yourself. Lastly, you should turn on your encryption. If you do that, your router will not give access to any wireless devices unless they can provide the password you specify. It will also encrypt any communication between your computer and your router so that no one will be able to see what goes on. Note: If your router supports WPA encryption, you should use that over WEP, which is an older version.
Doing the three things I discussed above are your best bets for secure wireless networking, but if you still want to hide your SSID, you can do so by following the directions in your user manual. Every router is different, so your manual should give you detailed directions on how to get the job done. If that doesn't work, you can always contact your ISP for help as well. Either way, it's very important to keep your wireless network as safe as possible. Hopefully one of the above suggestions is just what you've been looking for. Test them out today!
When Windows Vista was first introduced, there was lots of excitement followed by some frustration and disappointment. While some loved Vista’s slick new interface, others were bothered by its incompatibilities, nagging notifications, and pokey performance. After hearing the complaints and reports of users downgrading back to Windows XP, Microsoft is hoping for a better response to Windows 7. Currently in public beta, Win7 is designed to address issues that were brought up by users, such as the intrusive, pesky notifications brought on by the User Account Control, its pedestrian startup and shutdown times, and its memory usage. Win7 also introduces several new features and new versions of old programs, such as Paint, WordPad, Calculator, System Restore, and Windows Firewall.
When you hover your mouse over the bottom-right corner of the Desktop, your open windows will become transparent so you can see the Desktop.
Several areas of Windows have been tweaked in Win7 to increase its speed and reliability. Also, according to Microsoft, application and device compatibility has been greatly improved. Win7 developers say that if it works on Vista, it should work on Win7.
Microsoft shaved time off the startup process by reducing the background activity and adding trigger-starting of system services. Trigger-starting means that system services will only start when they are needed, rather than booting at the startup. Not only will this boost startup time, but it also decreases the amount of RAM being used and increases performance. In fact, according to Microsoft, memory usage was reduced in hundreds of areas. Also, Win7 can read USB devices and copy files faster.
By reducing the memory usage, laptops that run Win7 will have longer battery life. Other new functionalities in Win7 will also help increase battery life, such as increasing the amount of time your processor is idle, power-saving DVD playback, Wake on LAN (wake your sleeping computer over a wireless network when you need to access it remotely), and adaptive display brightness (reduces display brightness when the computer has been idle for a certain amount of time).
When you hover your mouse over the minimized applications on your Taskbar, you get a fullscreen preview.
Windows 7 also adds new reliability features, including Process Reflection. Process Reflection can clone the memory content of a process that has failed, which allows Windows to diagnose and analyze the failure while your application recovers and continues running.
The Win7 interface is designed to be cleaner and more efficient. At the bottom of the Win7 Desktop, you’ll find the new Taskbar, which is a row filled with thumbnails of the applications you use most often (it’s customizable), in addition to open applications. It’s similar to the Dock at the bottom of an Apple Mac OS. When you hover over the thumbnail, Windows shows you a mini picture of open applications.
When you have several application windows open, you can hover your mouse over the bottom-right corner of the Desktop, and all the windows become transparent so you can view files and gadgets on the Desktop. To minimize all the open windows, click the same area at the bottom-right corner of the Desktop. Additionally, if you have several windows open, and you just want to work with one application, you can click the window frame with your mouse and give it a good shake. That will automatically minimize all the other windows open on your Desktop.
One of the more notable additions to Win7 is its gesture control. With a monitor that supports touch capabilities, you can utilize the touch controls and multitouch features. Multitouch gestures let you zoom in, rotate, and manage photos and files with a pinch and twist of your fingers.
When it comes to organizing files and documents, Win7 has added new features to Windows Explorer that let you organize files by categories such as author, subject, date created, file type, and storage location or other properties. Libraries takes organization to another level. It provides a single place to access your files, even when those files are stored in different places, such as in multiple folders, on separate drives, or on other PCs in your home network.
Jump Lists are also new to Win7 and help you quickly and efficiently find files and applications. Each program on the Start menu and Windows Taskbar has a Jump List, which includes both frequently used files and applications and those most recently used.
Win7 brings home networking to a whole new level of efficiency and functionality. HomeGroups, which are new to Win7, allow you to more easily connect multiple computers in your home for file sharing. You can use files just as if they were on the computer you are using. This enables families or households with more than one computer to quickly share libraries, printers, and more.
Many people have other devices, such as a cell phone, digital music player, digital camera, and printer, that connect to their computer. With the Devices And Printers screen, you can access and manage all of those devices from one place, whether they connect wirelessly or via USB port, Bluetooth, or some other means of connection.
Device Stage is a new feature that helps you transfer and manage files from devices such as your phone, digital music player, and camera. Media Sync, PIM (Personal Information Management) Sync, and Ringtone Editor are all part of Device Stage.
Jump Lists help you find frequently and recently used files quickly.
Win7 also adds new features to Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center, such as the ability to watch recorded TV shows on different computers with HomeGroup. Windows Media Player includes support for additional media formats, and the Lightweight Playback mode adjusts the size of the screen and the user interface based on the type of media you are playing. The new Play-To feature lets you choose which device you want to hear your music on, such as a digital media player or a different connected device. With most media devices, your music will be automatically transcoded into the format your media receiver can recognize.
There’s much more you can do with Win7 than the big-ticket items touched on in this article. For example, Internet Explorer has been revamped and designed to be quicker and easier to use, and Win7 is deeply integrated with Windows Live services. Services that were once standalone programs, such as Windows Photo Gallery, are now linked to Windows Live Web services. So, Windows Photo Gallery in Vista will be Windows Live Photo Gallery.
While nothing has been locked in, it sounds like Win7's system requirements will be only a small step up from Vista's. The system requirements listed for the Win7 public beta include a 1GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, and 16GB of free hard drive space. Microsoft says it’s likely Win7 will officially be released in October 2009.
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| Online-Sign Do you need to make a sign for something? Well if you do, you should really check this site out! Here you can choose from 16 different types of signs then customize it for your purpose, and print it out for free! Start by selecting the type of sign you need. As I mentioned previously there are 16 different categories to pick from. They are: Warning, Prohibition, Mandatory, Safe Condition, Fire Evacuation, Fire Exit Banners, Fire Equipment, Fire Extinguisher Labels, Fire Equipment Banners, Disability Discrimination Act, Public Information, Public Information Banners. OSHA Signs, Hazard Diamonds, Hazard Warning Panels, and Traffic Signs. Once you select a sign category, a new window will pop up, and from there you can pick specifically what you need. So if, for example, you chose Mandatory as your category; the pop up window will have many different examples to pick from like – eye protection must be worn, hard hat area, wash you hands, etc. You’d then select one – and you’ll be taken to the page to edit that sign to suit your purposes. You can change the text, the pictogram, the layout, the positioning, and more. When you’ve got your sign to the point that you’re happy with it, just click the print button, or the save button along the navigation strip. And just like that you have a fantastic sign for free. This is a great resource for teachers, well, schools in general if you really think about it. It would also be great for small businesses! |
Guest Commentary - George Whitesell
There are only a few things about computers that I have strong opinions about. One of those is shutting down your computer at night. I know putting your computer into hibernation or sleep mode, or leaving it on all of the time seems very convenient but I believe in shutting down the computer at night for the following reasons:
1.. You save electricity.
2.. When you boot up a computer that has been shutdown you start with a clean system; no data files are open and no memory is allocated to programs that are no longer running.
3.. If power is interrupted while you are asleep or away from your home or office, your computer will "crash" rather than shut down properly. If you have a UPS system, remember these battery backups will only supply power for 5 to 20 minutes or so. If a power outage is extended (or your UPS batteries are weak) your computer will crash. Any files left open may be corrupted when the computer crashes.
4.. In my experience hard drives and fans are the most frequent hardware failures in computers. I listen for any unusual "squeaks", "squeals", or "rumbles" during a cold startup which can be an early indication of a failing hard drive or fan. These early warning sounds are often heard only during a COLD start up; that is turning on a computer that has been off for several hours. Leaving your computer on all of the time often prevents you from hearing these sounds, sometimes resulting in the total failure of the computer or hard drive with the unfortunate loss of data if you do experience a catastrophic failure. I tell people these sounds are similar to squeals heard from their engine when the car is first started in the morning which may indicate that a belt needs adjustment or replacement, long before the belt fails completely.
It is important to have your computer checked immediately when you hear any unusual sounds. Too many people wait; thinking the sounds may be getting less noticeable, until it is too late. In most cases if you detect a hard drive failure early enough you can recover without losing anything. A good repair shop can clone the old hard drive to a new drive and save everything - ONLY IF DONE EARLY.
5.. I watch the messages that flash by on the screen when I boot up my computer in the morning for out of the ordinary messages that may indicate a problem. Examples are SMART errors, CMOS checksum errors, errors loading certain files, or any other abnormal messages. I only watch them occasionally not every day. If you never reboot your computer you miss these potential early warning signs of a problem.
6.. A computer that is slow to shut down or start up may also indicate a problem. If you leave your computer on all of the time you again will miss these early warning signs of a possible problem.
7.. Kim Kommando recommends leaving your computer on at night to allow important updates to be installed, however I disagree with her. Microsoft releases updates once a month (the 2nd Tuesday of each month). They do not release updates every night. So if you want to leave your computer on for the important Microsoft updates leave it on the second Tuesday night of the month. However, you do not have to leave it on over night to get the updates. You will still receive the updates whether your computer is on at 3 AM (the default time set by Automatic Update to download Microsoft updates) or not. The updates are downloaded in the background whenever your computer is on. Other programs will update in the background or prompt you when updates are available as well. In most cases you can continue to use your computer while updates are being installed.
8.. If your computer is turned off there is absolutely no way a Trojan can infect it or anyone can hack into it. Many people are concerned about viruses, Trojans, and hackers and purchase a number of programs to protect their computer. Yet they leave their computer on all of the time. When you are using your computer you will generally notice any erratic behavior or excessive disk activity which may indicate an infestation or security breach. If a hacker in China is attacking your computer at 2 AM you will not notice any unusual activity if you are asleep.
9.. There is one other item I would like to mention about leaving computers on. You may have heard that every time you turn on your computer the components are stressed. This is due to what is known as "in-rush current" from the power supply to all of the components. This is, in fact, a very real phenomenon. However, most computers use reliable components that will withstand thousands of in-rush current cycles without any problem. In-rush currents are a phenomenon that affects ALL electrical equipment. I chuckle when I encounter someone who leaves their $600 computer on all of the time to avoid the damage of in-rush currents and yet they turn their $2000 wide screen TV on and off several times a day. In general you have little to worry about from the effects of in-rush currents on your computer.
While we are talking about AC power I'll mention extending the life of laptop batteries. Leaving a laptop computer plugged into the AC power adapter all of the time significantly reduces the life of the battery. It is much better to run the laptop every few weeks or so on the battery, until you get a warning about the battery getting low, and then plugging it back it to recharge it. The battery in my last laptop lasted about two years (I kept it plugged into the AC adapter most of the time). I frequently run my current laptop on the battery often depleting it down to almost nothing. I have replaced the battery in this laptop as well; however it was after 4 ½ to 5 years instead of two.
I once had a person say to me that if she turned her computer off she might miss an important email. Your email messages are held on your ISP's server until you download them. You are not going to miss any email messages because your computer was off.
I am not suggesting that you turn your computer off every time you walk away from it. I leave my computer on during the day, but at night I turn it off. I also turn it off during rainy season here in Florida when I am going to be away from the house for several hours.
In addition, the survey found that 80 percent of the some 6,100 participants surveyed in North America have experienced data loss or recovery of some sort.
The survey suggests that most of us need to take backup more seriously, and do it on a much more frequent basis. This is especially important considering the increasing risk of malware to computers, which often store critical data, such as financial and personal information.
The survey also found that 81 percent of users have had to reinstall their computers' operating systems or software applications. According to the survey, data loss cost those affected significant time and effort, with 48 percent of those surveyed reporting that the reinstallation process took more than four hours on average.
Personally, I don't know how credible these numbers are nonetheless, I can't stress how important backing up is. I've seen many friends learn this lesson the hardest and most expensive way.
Apart from Acronis True Image--which is one of my favorite backup programs, because of its capability to automatically create an exact copy of the hard disk and allow you to restore the entire machine I also use Carbonite which is an online backup service ($59.95 yr). Or just get an external hard drive and simply copying information over.
Think of backing up as automobile insurance: it's a hassle to have and you hope you'll never have to use it, but it's really dangerous and sort of irresponsible to go without it.
| Technology makes it possible for people to gain control over everything, except over technology |
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Last Updated
05/30/2009
