Our good friends at AVG have upgraded their antivirus protection software. Good news is they still have a free version and the new version (8.0) has spyware protection built in. You can download the new version here: AVG 8.0 Free Before you install the upgrade I recommend you uninstall at least the antispyware version of AVG. Go to Start, Control Panel, Add or Remove programs and find the AVG antisypware program in the list. Then click on Remove. Now you can install the new version. Its a fairly large download and not recommended for our dial up customers.
So what other protection do you need? Its good to delete your cookies when you close Internet Explorer. In IE click on the Tools, then Internet Options. Click on the Advanced tab and then scroll through the list till you see Security and under it you'll find this item: Empty Temporary Internet Explorer files folder when browser is Closed. Make sure it is checked then exit out.
We recommend you defrag your hard drive once a year {Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter}. You should do a Disk Clean up once a quarter {Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Cleanup}. One warning: DO NOT DO THE COMPRESS YOUR FILES OPTION.
Back up your files at least weekly and daily would be a better idea. If you need help in setting up a backup system let us know (that's how we pay the bills!).
Turn your PC off every night and if you aren't using the Internet at night shut down your Internet modem (a surge strip works great to shut everything down).
Make sure you are updating Windows with some regularity (Start, Control Panel, Automatic Update) and that your Windows Firewall is active {Start, Control Panel, Windows Firewall}.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
#129 - Microsoft the company that keeps on giving
So what has Microsoft done for you in 2008? Well they did delay the forced retirement of Windows XP, at least for a while. Vista has been a big disappointment in sales and XP is actually outselling Vista in the market place. So do they pull the plug on come June 30? Keep tuned here and we will let you know.
Microsoft released Service Pack 1 for Vista with not much fanfare in May. I can see why. I updated the Lenovo laptop I have with Vista on it and notice no difference. Still slow to load and shut down and it can crawl at times. Microsoft removed the Search button on the Start menu for some reason, but you can still use the search box found at the top of every open folder. That might take some time to get used to. Performance is supposedly faster, but not much. Copying files is faster, but still about the same speed as XP. That is the question I ask. Other then security what is better about this operating system? Nothing and that's why its going over like a lead balloon in the market place.
Microsoft has sort of released Windows XP Service Pack 3. Many computers can't upgrade due to a glitch in compatibility with of all things another Microsoft Service - (RMS). No loss there since there seems to be NOTHING worthwhile to most users in this last service pack for XP. It's not faster, safer or even more fun to use. Mostly techno geek stuff that you will never use. So don't worry about upgrading your XP.
Another great month for Microsoft, don't you think?
Microsoft released Service Pack 1 for Vista with not much fanfare in May. I can see why. I updated the Lenovo laptop I have with Vista on it and notice no difference. Still slow to load and shut down and it can crawl at times. Microsoft removed the Search button on the Start menu for some reason, but you can still use the search box found at the top of every open folder. That might take some time to get used to. Performance is supposedly faster, but not much. Copying files is faster, but still about the same speed as XP. That is the question I ask. Other then security what is better about this operating system? Nothing and that's why its going over like a lead balloon in the market place.
Microsoft has sort of released Windows XP Service Pack 3. Many computers can't upgrade due to a glitch in compatibility with of all things another Microsoft Service - (RMS). No loss there since there seems to be NOTHING worthwhile to most users in this last service pack for XP. It's not faster, safer or even more fun to use. Mostly techno geek stuff that you will never use. So don't worry about upgrading your XP.
Another great month for Microsoft, don't you think?
Monday, May 5, 2008
#128 - Saving Energy - Some Truths
Energy and Technology are interwoven together so much so that you can't talk about one without the other. Today lets take a look at some ways to save energy that not only helps your pocket but the planet.
Your mom was right! Every time you leave a room you should turn the lights out. I saw a very entertaining Mythbusters show on the Discovery channel that studied light energy usage. No matter if it was florescent light bulbs or incandescent. Unless you jump right back into the room ( I think 3 seconds was the longest time) you should shut them off to save!
I've advocated for years that PC owners turn their PCs off if they won't be using them for an hour or more. Leaving a PC on 24/7 is NOT being a good steward of our energy resource. If you leave your PC and are planing to come back pick the Stand By mode that essentially shuts your PC down. If you haven't already changed, PLEASE get rid of your old CRT monitor and change to the slim LCD varieties. The energy savings are tremendous.
Great I'm turning my stuff off. I'm saving a lot right? Ah yes, but you might be able to save more if you REALLY turn them off. That means turning them off by cutting off electricity at the source. For PCs and peripherals that means turning off the surge suppressor when you leave for the day. Most modern PC equipment has a "sleep mode" that still draws a small bit of energy. Multiplied by millions of homes the energy used when a piece of equipment is supposedly turned off is great. So if you are going away from home or going to bed, turn off your surge protector to save the most.
Several ways to save energy at home include insulating the house every 10 years. Installing set back thermostats and programming them for your usage. Changing from incandescent to florescent light bulbs. Checking out the energy efficiency stickers and comparing them when buying an appliance. Having your heating/cooling system checked periodically for energy issues. Replacing that air filter in your heating/cooling system regularly. Not many high tech solutions but certainly ones we can implement!
Your mom was right! Every time you leave a room you should turn the lights out. I saw a very entertaining Mythbusters show on the Discovery channel that studied light energy usage. No matter if it was florescent light bulbs or incandescent. Unless you jump right back into the room ( I think 3 seconds was the longest time) you should shut them off to save!
I've advocated for years that PC owners turn their PCs off if they won't be using them for an hour or more. Leaving a PC on 24/7 is NOT being a good steward of our energy resource. If you leave your PC and are planing to come back pick the Stand By mode that essentially shuts your PC down. If you haven't already changed, PLEASE get rid of your old CRT monitor and change to the slim LCD varieties. The energy savings are tremendous.
Great I'm turning my stuff off. I'm saving a lot right? Ah yes, but you might be able to save more if you REALLY turn them off. That means turning them off by cutting off electricity at the source. For PCs and peripherals that means turning off the surge suppressor when you leave for the day. Most modern PC equipment has a "sleep mode" that still draws a small bit of energy. Multiplied by millions of homes the energy used when a piece of equipment is supposedly turned off is great. So if you are going away from home or going to bed, turn off your surge protector to save the most.
Several ways to save energy at home include insulating the house every 10 years. Installing set back thermostats and programming them for your usage. Changing from incandescent to florescent light bulbs. Checking out the energy efficiency stickers and comparing them when buying an appliance. Having your heating/cooling system checked periodically for energy issues. Replacing that air filter in your heating/cooling system regularly. Not many high tech solutions but certainly ones we can implement!
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