#211 - Windows 8 coming up

Window 8 should be released in the late fall of this year.  Microsoft has a preview version available for anyone wishing to torture themselves early.  I won't even link it, because I like my customers.  You can find it from Microsoft.com if you are so inclined.

Windows 8 Preview

So lets start this blog with a listing of the good and bad Windows operating system releases recently. 

• Windows 3.1 - The first real graphical Windows that worked
• Windows XP (actually Windows 5) -  The most used Windows for almost a decade
• Windows 7 - today's version that is decent.  No major complaints.

Lets also look at the Windows DOGS that we have suffered through:

• Windows ME (Windows 4) Absolutely the worst Windows ever . hardly anyone bought it and those that did suffered till they upgraded.
• Window Vista (Window 6) A total travesty.  I weep for any of my customers that have this slow bloated loser

Note that the good versions are odd numbered and the DOGS are even numbered.  It doesn't bode well for Windows 8.  We also see that in Windows ME & Windows Vista Microsoft attempted to change the Windows user interface - supposedly to make it easier to use.  Guess what?  Windows 8 promises a totally new user interface!  Think putting your phone on your PC and that's the vision from Microsoft.  I  think this will be a HUGE failure.  Here is a video preview of Microsoft's Windows 8.  Take a peek and see if you agree this has BAD written all over it:  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/consumer-preview

Windows 8 will have 4 different versions.  There will be a version of Windows just for tablets.  Let's see the iPad was released in 2010, with Android tablets out also that year.  In late 2012 Microsoft has finally decided to come up with an operating system for tablets.  Talk about being late to the tablet!  The interface for all Windows 8 versions (including PCs) will move from a mouse based interface to a touch based focused interface.  Your mouse will still work, but when the interface is designed for touch you know mousing will get the short stick and will be painful to use.

The old start button/ball will get a new cutesy name:  Charms.  Actually I don't see the cutesy part.  Charms will be the way to set up your user interface and make it "easier" to run you programs (now called apps - wonder where they got that from?).  Windows 8 will make it easier to run 2 apps side by side on the screen, but I've been doing that since I got a wide screen monitor.

Also added in Windows 8 is Internet Explorer 10.  Still trying to catch up to Firefox 12 and Google Chrome, Microsoft "borrows" many of their innovations in IE 10.  You have to give it to those Microsoft engineers, why not steal rather then innovate.

One decent feature in Windows 8 is the inclusion of an antivirus in the operating system.  They can then try to put Symantec, McAffee and AVG out of business.  Which seems to be more important to Microsoft then just developing a fast efficient operating system. Doubt that happens. 

There are many many other enhancements, but the ones I listed are the most highly touted by Microsoft.  Maybe we will all have Macs before the end of the year.

#210 - Safety in an unsafe world

Computer safety has been in the news the past couple of weeks.  The first BIG Mac virus has hit and it is a doozy.  Infecting over 600,000 MACs with a robot virus that takes control of your PC and lets other (evil others) do what they want with your MAC. It is being distributed via infected websites as a Java program that pretends to be an update for the Adobe Flash Player. Very nasty.  Apple had an update out to plug the hole within a week. 

Interestingly, infections like the Mac one I talk about above, are an every day occurrence in the PC world.  And sure enough this weeks panic was the press release by the FBI.   The FBI says that over 300,000 PCs will lose Internet access come July 9, 2012.  Now the FBI isn't pulling the plug on those PCs  What is happening is the infamous "DNS Changer" virus will finally be able to do its worst.  The FBI (and others) have been giving PC owners times to identify that they have this virus and remove it by providing a solution on the Internet.  The cost of providing that solution is at the point where the cost to benefit are to just turn off the protection.  If you are concerned that you might have this virus just click on this link: http://dns-ok.us/  If the background is Green, you are safe.  If red you need to give PCSS or another Computer Repair person a call pretty soon.

So how does one stay safe from all these perils in the world of computing.   Short of staying off the Internet there is not sure way to protect yourself 100%.  You should have a good Antivirus/Antimalware product on your PC.  We like AVG, and we like the pay version of AVG much better.  (we don't make much on the pay version for what its worth).  We also recommend that you NEVER download anything without knowing 100% that is is not infected.  Also you need to be careful where you surf on the web.  I can guarantee if you go to risky sites, you will get your PC infected no matter the protection you have.  You should also use a search protection tool such as AVG safe search or Web of Trust to let you know if a site is infected after you do a search.

Its an unsafe world on the Internet.  Yes there is unlimited amounts of information.  But getting to that information can compromise your PC and the valuable information on your PC.  We've see a new virus that HIDES all your information on the PC and its a real bear to recover that information.  Being conservative in you browsing is the best defense.

#209 Spring Cleaning

Every April on the blog we have an article on spring cleaning your tech equipment.  For some strange reason people don't associate cleanliness with their electronics.  Just buy it, use it and it will be OK is the attitude.  Cleaning your tech stuff will prolong their life, prevent the spreading of, ahem germs(disease), and will make them just work better.  You've been warned!

Lets start with tablet PCs.  The ease of use in a tablet goes back to us using fingers on the screen.  Think about that for a while.  Yes you should regularly clean your tablet class.  NO you should not use Windex or any other liquid spray on cleaner.  You definitely don't need an iclean or iwash product.  A simple microfiber cloth will work.  Just dampen the cloth (wring out all the water) and wipe across your screen.  Microfiber cloths can be washed and used for years.  They cost under $2 per cloth and you can get them by the dozen if you don't like to wash.  Google Microfiber cloth for some online purchase option.

Once you have your microfiber cloth you can also use it on your PC monitor or LCD/LED display of your laptop.  Just do the cleaning with the unit turned off for safety.  You can also see the smudges better when everything is turned off.

Your keyboard is your next keeper of vast amounts of dirt.  With the PC turned off, unplug your keyboard, take it outside and gently turn it upside down and shake it.  Lots of stuff (cheeze-it crumbs???) will move on out.  You can then use a can of compressed air (available at Wallyworld or any dollar store) to get the hard to reach gunk.  After the shake and spray you can use alcohol wipes or a q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol to disinfect the keys themselves.  Make sure its dry before plugging it back in.

Mice get alot of hand play so clean them regularly.  With the PC turned off, unplug the mouse, and wipe it with Alcohol wipes or a paper towel with rubbing alcohol on it.  DO NOT DIRECTLY SPRAY your mouse.  Again let dry before plugging back in.

You can use your compressed air spray to also spray around your CPU box to get the dust bunnies out of the way.  If you are real ambitious you can open your PC case and get the bunnies out of their also.  Very gently please.  You don't want to get ANYTHING WET in your PC Case.

For Laptops you can clean the keyboard similarly as the PC keyboard.  Just make sure the Laptop is off and you don't get ANY moisture in between the keys.

Printers need to have the paper dust and ink/toner debris cleaned out of them periodically.  Compressed air is your friend.  Just open where ever you put the ink/toner in, remove the toner/ink and gently spray.  Wipe down the exterior of the printer with your microfiber cloth or an alcohol wipe to keep it looking new.

Happy Cleaning!

#208 Saying goodbye to cash

More and more we aren't using cash to pay for our purchases.  Buying gasoline, groceries, clothes, utility payments or any other purchase can be done by credit card and increasingly, by debiting our bank account.  Don't buy stock in check printing companies!  They too will soon be just like typewriter, vinyl record and buggy whip producers.   As with most advances, allowing the ease of purchase brings its own share of problems.   People have no clue whether they have enough money to pay for the purchases they made.  The AVERAGE credit card debt in the US (as of January 2012) is just shy of $16,000!  Seems like debiting your bank account may be the better way to go.

There are lots of new ways to pay for things.  We have an EZ pass box that lets us zip through toll booths in the Eastern United States.  Our checking account is debited every time we don't stop.  Another new technology that is about to revolutionize payments is near-field communication (NFC).   With a NFC set up on your cell phone you just have to pass the phone near a check out system and your payment is made.  Don't have to get that pesky card out of your wallet any more.  This technology actually sounds very scary to me.  You could be buying up everything in sight just by walking by a store!  Good news is that this new Digital Wallet isn't catching on too fast because it really doesn't help the merchant much.  They have much less control over the actual purchase verification and though it might speed up the check out, it may lead to credit issues down the road.  Lets see how this one plays out.

Every transaction that isn't cash has a fee associated with it.  Credit card fees are usually charged to the merchant.  Same with debit card fees.  I wonder how soon until you end up paying a fee for every transaction?  You know the credit card companies would love to do that.  You actually are paying for the fees even if you don't see them.  Merchants know what percentage of their sales are credit card (going up every day) and just add the 1-3% Credit card fee to the purchase price.  The average American spend $429 each year in hidden credit card fees.  Unfortunately even if you go back to cash, you will still be paying that same hidden fee.  Paying in cash does help the merchant though!  They get the same amount of money and DON'T have to pay the Credit Card company.  Thus why many small stores offer a cash discount.

I think I'll miss my check book and having to balance it.....

#207 - Privacy, Google and you

Thursday, March 1, 2012,  Google will implement a far reaching change to its privacy policy.  Google will now default its gmail and search engine users into a policy that allows Google to track your moves on the Internet and sell that information to Google advertisers.  This new single point information will let advertisers target their ads and pitch to your patterns online.

So what can one do to protect your privacy?  Several items are available to help out.  What we do is use the Firefox Browser (not Google Chrome) as our main browser.  We have the Privacy settings in Firfox set for "Tell Websites I don't want to be Tracked".   If you have a gmail account do the following today!
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/02/how-remove-your-google-search-history-googles-new-privacy-policy-takes-effect

If you do use Chrome there is a plug in that can stop all the Google data gathering:  https://www.google.com/ads/preferences/plugin/

Also always remember that if you login to Gmail, then Sign out when you are done.  That also minimizes what can be tracked.  Here is an article on more ideas including the above: http://www.kplu.org/post/protecting-your-privacy-amid-google-policy-changes

It really doesn't matter which search engine you are using, they all track your searches.  So be careful out there and remember big brother is watching.

#206 The Graying of Technology

As we all get older, how and what technology we use is important to those making technology products.  The "boomer" still outnumber most generations.  Now I'm not talking about those big number phones and remote controls you see advertised (death to the first person that gets me one!).  I'm talking about how being older influences what technology you buy.

Tablet PCs are incredibly popular by the elders.  I would say 1/2 of my tablet sales have gone to the over 50 population.  Why?  Hmm, Well they are very easy to use.  They are essentially simple Internet devices and for many people that is all they need.  No mouse, no cords, no reboots.  Surprising Microsoft has NO CLUE when it comes to tablets. 

Large screen monitors also are big sales items.  The eyes go first is the saying.  Surprisingly we haven't see an uptick in big speaker sales.   The other reason for this is the price is still dropping on large (22"+) displays.  Why not buy the bigger monitor.

Boomers love their laptops.  They like them lightweight, but with bright large displays.  Many who have laptops also have a desktop at home.  The younger generations just live with a laptop, no desktop necessary. 

For some reason EVERYONE hates cords.  So wireless mice and keyboards are also popular. 

Webcams to Skype with the Grandkids are also popular.  What could be better to just add a webcam to your PC and for FREE you can talk 3,000 miles away and SEE your progeny.  My wife found an iPad app that will let her make FREE phone calls.  Another big winner combining tablets and FREE calls! 

I'm not sure how we older Americans feel about cell phones.  I like the latest and best, but many friends just want a simple phone.   They aren't much into texting and that is a huge difference with the young.  I don't mind turning mine off for hours at a time, and that would threaten the lives of most 20 somethings.

Technology companies are heeding the call of the older American market.  The latest Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas had enhanced products for each of the categories I mentioned above.  Larger, thinner displays, lighter laptops and better tablets.  I'm not sure Tech companies will ever say in public that a particular product is focused on the elderly, but behind the corporate doors, I'm sure they do.

#205 - 2011 Tech review

As the year 2011 ends, I thought I would look back at the year in technology and the significant items that occurred.


For us at PCSS, the biggest technology change was the addition of our Asus Transformer Tablet PC. It only took a few weeks and we were convinced that tablets are the wave of the future. Other then heavy duty spreadsheets and word processing, you can do it all AND more on a tablet. We use ours for Weather, Internet, Stock market info, email, games and reading books. The latter being the biggest change in our life. We download e-books from our library and read them on the tablet. The format of the tablet - 10" size with back lit color screen - makes it ideal for book reading. Also the use of touchscreen also has changed how we do things. When I get on one of my notebook PCs, I have to stop myself from touching the screen. Goodbye mice and touch pads! The Kindle Fire and new Nook from Barnes & Noble are too small for my eyes, but they sold a ton of them this past holiday season!


Microsoft actually almost led a technology with the advent of Office 365 - the cloud based version of Office. Well almost is giving them something since Google introduced Google Docs several YEARS ago. The problem with Google Docs is simple. Its not Office! We have all been trained to use Word, Excel and PowerPoint to an extent that anything else just won't work in the business world. We had several clients change over to Office 365. Our warning to them was to have backup Office on their PC. And sure enough Microsoft had SIGNIFICANT outages of the Office 365 product after introduction. Start up problems I'm sure. The US still isn't totally covered by the Internet so you can't have a completely cloud based product, yet. Its coming though.


The big cell phone providers introduced the 4G network. Although we don't have it yet in Covington (coming soon!) we did try it out in the BIG cities and the speed is significantly better. I'm hoping when my cell contract runs out in 2012 that 4G will be more available. Faster is usually better when we are talking Internet. With my use of the new tablet, I don't use my phone for much Internet. Just email and some basic sites. Ideally for me would be a 4G powered tablet (android!) and a phone that just does email, calendar and calls.


The tragedies in Japan and Thailand had significant impact on technology availability. It makes us much more aware of the global nature of technology manufacturing. I wonder if any of the big technology companies will bring back manufacturing to the US to ensure a safer product channel? Right now hard drives are in very short supply and many laptops are getting that way. Solid State drives were not affected by the Asian disasters, but their prices are still too high to be put in all laptops. Apple is putting them in many of their smaller laptops.


The passing of Steve Jobs certainly had much of the press looking back at a remarkable career. If I were giving Steve a totem animal it would be the Phoenix. He resurrected Apple 3 times and that is amazing.


Google tried to get in the social network business with Google+. We joined but don't understand the interface and there just aren't enough people on it to get traction. Facebook rules and everyone else will fail in that area. Of course there were changes to Facebook that made all the users mad. The latest Timeline change will go forth in 2012. Let the social network whining begin!


We look forward to great things in 2012. One that won't be so great is Windows 8. Mark it down as another Microsoft problem child. Also coming out is the new Android operating system "Ice Cream". It has the potential to keep the Android (read that Google) system on top and beat back any Microsoft chance to get into the phone/tablet business. Have a very Happy New Year friends!

#204 Holiday Gadgets

So what are the hot gadgets this holiday season?

Tablet PCs are very hot. iPads and Android talblets are in short supply and selling well. Inexpensive (less then $70) digital cameras are also hot. I have some customers that buy an cheap camera and just leave it in their car to have just in case. Flat screen TVs are very hot. The price of LCD, Plasma and LED TVs have come down and are available everywhere from Kmart to Walmart to any appliance store.

How about the Spynet Laser Trip wire? For $39 you can protect an area just like in the movies. Anyone that crosses the invisible laser light sets off an alarm. Pets will drive you crazy with this one, but kids love it "protecting" their rooms.

Want to know where your kid or pet goes? Garmin has the GTU 10 tracker. Just attach it to your kid or pet and you can go online and follow them around in real time or at your leisure.

Digital storage is also Big. We have 8GB flash Drives for $10 (a great stocking stuffer). External Hard drives to back up everything were hot, but are no longer available due to the Thailand flooding of most major hard drive makers. Solid State drives are now under $100 for 64GB sizes. These have no moving parts and are great for laptop replacement hard drives.

Last the ereader craze has been raised to a high level with the latest kindle and nooks. They are small (7" screen) but you really do get a lot for the cost. Just make sure you are getting complete Internet access with the ereader.

Wireless printers that let you print from anywhere in the house and from anything (phone, tablet, laptop) are also a very nice gift. You can also print to these printers from anywhere in the world with the e-print feature (HP exclusive).

Need help this Christmas? Just drop us a line for suggestions!

#203 - Scams, Phishing and Internet Safety

We just heard from an acquaintence how their mother was scammed out of $8,500.00. It was a classic "Gammy Scam". The villian called grandma and posed as a beloved grandson. They say they are stranded/incarcerated in Canada or Mexico. Please don't tell the parents and send money. Surprisingly many seniors fall for this and wire the money to be never seen again. What is different about this updated scam is the detailed information that the scammer has about the relationship. They know the child & grandmothers name, details about the child and have somehow got the grandmothers phone number. It has to be identity theft or just getting info from facebook or other social media. Please tell your friends about this scam and to never wire money anywhere. Also be darned careful what you share online.

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Phishing is the attempt to get you to reveal user names, passwords, financial information or other personal information via an email. I get about 3 of these a week. Messages that say your account over due or that your credit card has been canceled. The crooks think of what would worry you the most and send it out via email. Now the email by itself is not bad, It the link enclosed in the email that will tempt you to log in or ask information to make sure you are you. These links are the phishing mechanism. Never click on those links! If you don't know whether an email is legit go to the web site of the company via your normal method (favorites or typing in the address). I call the company that is supposedly having an issue using a verified number (on your credit card or in the phone book) to ask if the message is legit.

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Keeping safe while surfing the Internet with a PC is increasingly tough. You just have to have a strong antivirus/antimalware program. The free versions of AVG, Microsoft Security, Avast or Avira used to be good enough, but we have been seeing problems with using just the free version. We increasingly do most of our Internet work on our Mac Mini or our Android tablet (they are safe from contamination for now). Consider upgrading to the pay version of your antivirus if you just have a PC and surf the Internet.

#202 - Steve Jobs and the end of an era

My first PC was an Apple II. I was (still am!) a geeky engineer that was fascinated that I could have a computer in my house. I already could program (Fortran, Cobal and Basic) so getting a computer that I could train to do just about anything was amazing. Buying it in 1981 also meant I was at the very beginning of the PC revolution. My Apple II cost about $1200 and I bought it through the mail (none were being sold in Baton Rouge then). It came with a floppy disk drive and 64K of programmable memory. Wow!

I subscribed to 3 Apple magazines that had lots of programs I could type in, learn from and then modify to my needs. I also learned about the two Steves - Jobs and Wozniak. Woz the ultimate techno nerd and Jobs the great promoter. Woz would talk about the future stuff we could do to improve our Apples and Jobs would talk about where the world was heading due to a great technology revolution.

As good and successful as the Apple II was (they made it for over a decade!) The next two Apple PCs - The Apple III and Lisa were economic disasters. Even their successor the venerable Macintosh took literally years to take off. And somewhere in that chain of events, Apple let Steve Jobs go. As we all know he came back to start the "i" revolution. ipod, ipad, iphone...

Steve was always about design before function and design integrated into function. The PCs IBM made were boring, square and very functional. Apple PCs just looked better. So much better that there were Apples in museums of art! The importance of design over function lead the incredible success of all Apple products. They are innovative and usually first in class products. They are also pretty expensive. There is no "cheap" Apple product. Thus their tremendous margins and profitability. All thanks to Steve Jobs vision.

I'll miss the Apple product introductions that Steve was famous for. The demonstrations of products that catch your imagination and set you free from limitations the rest of the technology world impose. Vaya con dios Steve. You will be missed here.