Blog Feed: Old Goat Guide

Putting It In Perspective

Published on 2013-04-26 18:44:00

Technological advances are remarkable in many respects, not least of which is the way in which costs tend to plummet over time - think of the first large screen TVs, or the first home computers. A 15MB hard disk drive in the 1980s was almost $2,500,

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2013-04-26 18:09:00

This is my first round-up since migrating back to Blogger (hence the site looking different), so we'll see how it goes. The Blogger move means that I have posts from the past 18 months or so, but none older than that - you may also find some missing

Wisdom Via Twitter

Published on 2013-04-26 13:58:00

Shoot for the moon; even if you miss you'll land among the stars. - Les BrownElizabeth Dial ‏@MedigapAndYou

Back Up Your Gmail Account

Published on 2013-04-25 18:22:00

Gmail is a Google staple, so it's unlikely to "go away" like some other Google products have recently (looking at you, Google Reader). Nevertheless, if you have important stuff in your Gmail account(s), then you may want to have a back up on your com

Two Factor Authentication For Web Accounts

Published on 2013-04-25 16:59:00

You may have heard about two-factor authentication lately, and probably wondered what it is or what it means. Simply, it's an attempt by some of the web service providers like Google and Microsoft to come up with something more secure that "just" a u

Tablets Slowing PC Peripheral Market Too

Published on 2013-04-25 12:58:00

The tablet tsunami is not only slowing PC sales in a dramatic fashion, it's also affecting the folks that make keyboards, mice, etc., such as Logitech. While you can use keyboards with tablets, it's not necessary in the manner it is with a traditiona

Windows 8 Recovery Options

Published on 2013-04-24 17:32:00

Microsoft has improved the recovery options available to users of Windows 8; apart from the familiar System Restore, you now have Reinstall and a Refresh options too. The latter is particularly note worthy, and harkens back to a popular "trick" used

Outlook.com To Get Modern Style Ads

Published on 2013-04-24 16:02:00

If you are using Outlook, Microsoft's free web-based email service, and have been enjoying that clean and simple look - well, buckle up, 'cos the ads are coming. They have to pay for the thing somehow, I suppose. The ads will supposedly fit into the

Moving Up/Moving Down

Published on 2013-04-24 12:33:00

As you may notice, the blog looks different. I actually moved it from WordPress to Blogger and carried over the posts and comments from the last year or so. Some links to older posts and images will end up breaking, and things may look a little goofy

Hacking Breaches – The Risks

Published on 2013-04-23 21:52:56

Many times following hacking breaches you will see a statement issued by the company that was hacked saying “no financial information was accessed“, or words to that effect. If the institution was one you are involved with, you might brea

Remember This? Pan Am

Published on 2013-04-23 18:30:37

Pan Am – Pan American World Airways – was one of those companies that was so ingrained into the fabric of the 20th century, that it’s hard to believe it has been gone since 1991. The airline started in 1927, … Continue reading

New Music For Boomers

Published on 2013-04-23 17:35:06

Boomers don’t seem to be a target market for new music, and it can be tough to seek it out unless you know where to look. I have previously mentioned Val Haller’s site, where modern music alternatives to boomer favorites … Continue

Hacking Breaches - The Risks

Published on 2013-04-23 16:52:00

Many times following hacking breaches you will see a statement issued by the company that was hacked saying "no financial information was accessed", or words to that effect. If the institution was one you are involved with, you might breathe a sigh o

Remember This? Pan Am

Published on 2013-04-23 13:30:00

Pan Am - Pan American World Airways - was one of those companies that was so ingrained into the fabric of the 20th century, that it's hard to believe it has been gone since 1991. The airline started in 1927, and grew from humble beginnings to being t

New Music For Boomers

Published on 2013-04-23 12:35:00

Boomers don't seem to be a target market for new music, and it can be tough to seek it out unless you know where to look. I have previously mentioned Val Haller's site, where modern music alternatives to boomer favorites are brought to our attention.

Wisdom Via Twitter

Published on 2013-04-23 11:15:29

A broken trust is like melted chocolate, no matter how hard we try to freeze it, it will never return to its true shape. Valerie ♥ ‏@ValerieBeautyyThe post Wisdom Via Twitter appeared first on Old Goat Guide.

Ujam Website Lets You Do Just That

Published on 2013-04-23 07:35:03

For those folk out there who sing in the shower (you know who you are), you can now sing to your computer and it will provide some musical accompaniment for you. Ujam is a website that will provide a “backing … Continue reading →The

Wisdom Via Twitter

Published on 2013-04-23 06:15:00

A broken trust is like melted chocolate, no matter how hard we try to freeze it, it will never return to its true shape.Valerie ♥ ‏@ValerieBeautyy

Ujam Website Lets You Do Just That

Published on 2013-04-23 02:35:00

For those folk out there who sing in the shower (you know who you are), you can now sing to your computer and it will provide some musical accompaniment for you. Ujam is a website that will provide a "backing track" to your singing or humming - and w

Smartphones In The Toilet

Published on 2013-04-22 20:06:33

Smartphones owned by men end up in the toilet 57% more that those owned by women; males are also 70% more likely to lose their smartphones than females. Insurance firm Protect Your Bubble took a survey and came up with … Continue reading →

Smartphones In The Toilet

Published on 2013-04-22 15:06:00

Smartphones owned by men end up in the toilet 57% more that those owned by women; males are also 70% more likely to lose their smartphones than females. Insurance firm Protect Your Bubble took a survey and came up with these and other gems. See the I

Remember This? Dot Matrix Printer

Published on 2013-04-21 17:48:58

The dot matrix printer is not really gone, but it’s certainly persona non grata in the home these days, now that we have affordable (and quiet) inkjet and laser printers for consumer use. The dot matrix printer first appeared publicly … C

Remember This? Dot Matrix Printer

Published on 2013-04-21 12:48:00

The dot matrix printer is not really gone, but it's certainly persona non grata in the home these days, now that we have affordable (and quiet) inkjet and laser printers for consumer use. The dot matrix printer first appeared publicly in the early 19

Hackers Of Many Colors

Published on 2013-04-20 07:56:47

My future son-in-law is attending a hacking conference in Cleveland, OH this weekend. No, he’s not up to no good; his job in computer software (and his passion for computing in general) means he seeks out meetings like this to … Continue

Wisdom Via Twitter

Published on 2013-04-20 00:14:42

Software is like an pyramid with bricks piled on top of each other, no structural integrity, built by brute force and slaves Ryan Stevens ‏@solidstoreThe post Wisdom Via Twitter appeared first on Old Goat Guide.

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2013-04-19 21:31:32

It’s been a rough week here in the USA, and so I will try to keep this light. iPad Mini Commercial Parody – amusing and snarky, a good combination 10 Strangest Sites On Google Earth – they are pretty strange … Continue reading

Old Crock Computers Still Cranking

Published on 2013-04-18 11:15:12

Sometimes, if something just works, then leave it alone – don’t futz with it. Even at a time when two-year old technology is looked down upon, there are some really old computers and really old operating systems still getting it … C

25% Of PCs Are Not Protected Against Malware

Published on 2013-04-18 08:04:33

Oof, that’s scary! According to Microsoft’s own Security Intelligence Report, a fourth of Windows computers worldwide are not protected from malware. “Malware” is the catch-all name for viruses, trojans and other nasties. I th

Remember This? Fireball XL5

Published on 2013-04-17 21:24:37

Fireball XL5 was a science fiction puppet show for kids back in the early 60′s, so it was right in my wheelhouse. I think it probably was my favorite, with Thunderbirds being a close second. Fireball XL5 followed the adventures … Continue

Being A Baby Boomer

Published on 2013-04-17 20:10:47

Being a Baby Boomer was not something I thought about as a young man in Scotland – I mean, why would I? In what seems like a pretty short period of time, though, here I am – with hair growing … Continue reading →The post Being

Using An Android Device

Published on 2013-04-17 18:07:49

This might seem obvious to some, but coming from a computer (or even from an older phone) to an Android smartphone or tablet, there is a bit of a learning curve. Both Android and Apple’s iOS are touch-centric and easy … Continue reading &

Sourceforge – A Good Software Resource

Published on 2013-04-17 08:19:38

Open source is a term used to describe a philosophy where the product (computer software in this case) is available for others to work on, improve and modify in a collaborative way. Linux is an open source operating system, for … Continue readi

Java Security Updates Keep On Coming

Published on 2013-04-16 22:14:48

For those of us still using Java, the security updates keep coming from Oracle. Oracle has issued a critical update patch for Java as the database giant works to shore up confidence in the widely used code. The security update … Continue readin

Windows Winding Down

Published on 2013-04-15 07:34:53

Article first published as Windows Winding Down on Technorati. I believe we are seeing the beginning of the end of Microsoft Windows. Windows 8 sales (both Pro and RT) are not doing well, and global tablet sales in 2013 are … Continue reading &

Over 100 Useful Web Sites

Published on 2013-04-14 11:44:07

While you might never reach “The End” of the Internet, it’s easy to get caught in a rut and just hit the same few sites every day. You may be missing out by doing that, so the good folks over … Continue reading →The post

Installing Ubuntu Linux On A PC

Published on 2013-04-13 18:14:08

I blather on quite a bit about Linux on this blog. Linux is an open source operating system, and can be downloaded and used for no monetary charge. I realize that a lot (most?) of the visitors to this blog … Continue reading →The post Ins

Computer Interaction Via Redhead

Published on 2013-04-13 16:55:25

Apple’s Siri digital assistant has a voice (female in the USA, male in some other countries), and provides limited but intriguing interaction with the Apple iPhone. It sounds like Siri will be coming to the Apple OS X operating system … C

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2013-04-13 12:55:56

Another week, another carefully curated collection of links culled from my chronologically recent circumnavigation of the collective knowledge that is the World Wide Web – or maybe just a few interesting links I saw this past week. The Truth Ab

Windows 8 Start Screen Replacements

Published on 2013-04-12 21:06:25

The new Windows 8 Modern interface includes the rather controversial Start Screen, where you have a screen full of colorful tiles in lieu of the familiar Start Button and it’s menu. A bit of a cottage industry has grown up … Continue read

NYPD Testing Crime-Busting App

Published on 2013-04-12 18:12:43

It seems to me this kind of information used to be part of a beat cop’s stock-in-trade (kept in his or her head), but I guess as we don’t really have beat cops anymore that just makes me an old … Continue reading →The post NYP

Windows Update Faux Pas

Published on 2013-04-12 11:20:21

From ZDNET (my emphasis) Tech giant Microsoft has recommended that an update released in the latest Patch Tuesday be removed, after users reported incidents of the “blue screen of death” after installation. … a number of Windows 7 u

3 Things To Do With An Old Computer

Published on 2013-04-11 21:51:37

Sometimes you bite the bullet and buy a new computer; the old one just wasn’t cutting it anymore and you wanted to treat yourself. So, what to do with the old computer? Assuming it’s not a complete goner, you can … Continue reading

Just For Fun

Published on 2013-04-11 20:42:24

The post Just For Fun appeared first on Old Goat Guide.

Remember This? The Sega Game Gear

Published on 2013-04-11 20:00:15

In 1991, Sega tried to wrestle the hand held portable gaming crown away from Nintendo’s Game Boy, which had been flying off the shelves for a couple of years. Sega brought us the Game Gear – another portable, cartridge-based video …

Microsoft Pressing On

Published on 2013-04-11 18:17:55

Following on the heels of a very poor year of PC sales with some of the blame being attached to Microsoft and the Windows 8 operating system, it looks like Microsoft is pressing on further into the tablet market with … Continue reading →T

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2013-04-09 19:47:54

Q – The first man-made orbiting satellite was called…? A – The Russian Sputnik 1, launched in 1957.The post Random Technology Trivia appeared first on Old Goat Guide.

Online Privacy Threats

Published on 2013-04-09 19:14:28

With Internet access now supremely mobile and accessible to many, we spend more and more of our time “connected”, and invariably it leads to more opportunities to be in harms way as far as being open to privacy threats. Data … Conti

Remember This? Jurassic Park

Published on 2013-04-07 14:51:19

Twenty years ago (and on re-release now), a remarkable movie was brought to life by Steven Spielberg and a slew of actors, artists and technicians. Jurassic Park, based upon the novel of the same name by Michael Crichton, features remarkable …

What Is A Baby Boomer?

Published on 2013-04-07 09:38:01

Commentary A Baby Boomer “is a person who was born during the demographic post-World War II baby boom between the years 1946 and 1964, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.” (Wikipedia). That would include myself and my wife. However, I

Android Smartphone Storage

Published on 2013-04-07 08:09:18

On an Android smartphone, the phone itself has a certain amount of built-in storage, which is home to the Android operating system and the other pre-installed software apps – all the stuff that stays in place even after the phone … Contin

The Facebook Phone…Isn’t Really

Published on 2013-04-06 18:34:50

The anticipated Facebook phone isn’t really phone hardware dedicated to Facebook (what would that even be?), but rather the announcement on April 4th referred to a mid-level HTC Android smartphone costing $100 that features a very Facebook-cent

Boomers, Seniors Like Tablet Computers

Published on 2013-04-06 09:42:02

For a large number of folk, computers are a convenient way to watch things, read things, or listen to things. An even more convenient way to do that is on a tablet computer, which in many ways is just a … Continue reading →The post Boomer

Remember This? First Man On The Moon

Published on 2013-04-06 07:24:51

It’s hard to forget something like that, the first time humanity dipped it’s toes into the edge of the unimaginably vast ocean that is space when Neil Armstrong descended from the lunar lander and shuffled onto the lunar surface. The R

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2013-04-05 20:20:15

Round and round and round she goes, where the Web stops nobody knows – well, I guess it doesn’t ever really stop, but it may pause long enough for me to pick a few links for your entertainment… Wealth Inequality … Continue rea

Windows 8 And Windows Blue

Published on 2013-04-05 19:21:17

So, you should be aware of Windows 8 by now; even though it is catching on more slowly than Microsoft would have liked, it has a growing presence simply because it’s Windows. Windows 8 is changing a lot of things … Continue reading →

Microsoft Patch Tuesday Coming Up

Published on 2013-04-05 12:52:08

The next Microsoft Patch Tuesday is on April 9th and has two critical and seven important fixes. All versions of Internet Explorer (6 through 10) are part of one of the critical patches. Patch Tuesday is Microsoft’s scheduled monthly release …

DHS To Nail Down USB Drives

Published on 2013-04-04 22:26:03

USB drives, particularly the solid-state flash drives – those little “thumb drives” – are a great convenience, inexpensively replacing older tech like floppies, zip drives and even recordable CDs and DVDs. However, when someth

Where Do Old Computers Go?

Published on 2013-04-04 18:59:25

Sometimes old computers don’t end up in landfill, they get a place of  honor among other old crocks in places like the Living Computer Museum in downtown Seattle, WA. These are genuinely historic computer, from the 60s and later, and … C

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2013-04-03 21:17:01

Q – Who sent an electric eel-powered telegram from the 1939 New York World’s Fair?

Just For Fun – Douglas Adams

Published on 2013-04-03 21:05:53

“I’ve come up with a set of rules that describe our reactions to technologies: 1. Anything that is in the world when you’re born is normal and ordinary and is just a natural part of the way the world works. … Continue reading →T

Remember This? The First Cell Phone Call

Published on 2013-04-03 20:03:23

Way back in the dark ages (40 years ago today), the first private handheld cellular phone call was made from New York City to New Jersey. Dr. Martin Cooper of Motorola completed the historic call on a prototype Motorola DynaTAC … Continue readi

The Easiest Way To Use Dropbox

Published on 2013-04-03 19:30:57

Cloud sync or backup programs like Dropbox are now pretty popular as a low-effort way of keeping  a copy of your important stuff elsewhere (i.e. in the Cloud). Typically, you install the Dropbox software and it creates a special folder … Conti

Texting Hurts Spelling, Grammar

Published on 2013-04-02 19:45:30

Language is very much a moving target; apart from the fact that we have a lot of different languages, words and phrases fall in and out of favor, and the language evolves over time. Right now, there is concern being … Continue reading →Th

The Facebook Phone Looms?

Published on 2013-04-01 20:54:40

A Facebook Phone; the rumors have been swirling around for several years – but what would a supposed Facebook phone actually be? What would it do (other than be a phone)? You can already use Facebook on smartphones anyway, so … Continue r

Touch Screen For Windows 8 Desktop PCs

Published on 2013-03-31 14:21:40

Windows 8 is moving briskly towards a touch screen future, where you interact with your computer more like you would with a smartphone – more fingers, less mouse. It remains to be seen how successful this will ultimately be, but … Continu

The Cost Of Online Shopping

Published on 2013-03-31 12:18:38

Apparently, the practice of “showrooming” is becoming a problem for regular “brick and mortar” stores. Showrooming is where you go to a local store to look at a product, but then leave and buy the same thing online. It’s

What Is URL Shortening?

Published on 2013-03-31 10:49:47

With the prevalence of Twitter and for some other reasons, we often see shortened URLs posted as links; I use them when posting my blog articles to Twitter. The URL is simply the web address of a site, like “http://www.oldgoatguide.com”.

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2013-03-30 22:25:54

Q – How did the British detect enemy aircraft before RADAR? A – Other than actually seeing the aircraft, they could use an Acoustic Mirror, a sort of large “super hearing” construction that allowed observers to hear incoming a

Music Matching For Baby Boomers

Published on 2013-03-30 19:32:31

A lot of us baby boomers had favorite bands back in the day, but they are either gone now, or just don’t put out much music anymore. Val Haller is a fellow boomer and music nut, and has a web … Continue reading →The post Music Match

Remember This? Fleetwood Mac – Rumors

Published on 2013-03-30 13:06:37

The seminal Fleetwod Mac album Rumors was released in 1977, spent 31 weeks at number one in the US album charts and spawned four US Top Ten singles. Considering the turmoil within the group at the time, it was an … Continue reading →The p

Bible Study Software

Published on 2013-03-30 09:14:05

On this Easter Sunday weekend, some of you may be cracking open a dusty Bible in church.  However, if you are interested in Bible study either as part of a class or on your own, the computer may be a … Continue reading →The post Bible St

World Backup Day March 31st

Published on 2013-03-29 20:38:02

As a reminder of the potentially fragile nature of computer data, March 31st is World Backup Day. Disk drives – both traditional and solid state – as well as things like SD cards and other storage media used in smartphones … Continu

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2013-03-29 17:42:01

Some more links for you to peruse from my wanderings around the Web this past week… The Useless Web – sometimes you just need to waste time… The Most Honest Cable Ad – some PG-13 language, but rather witty How … Continue

A Little Help…

Published on 2013-03-28 21:55:58

Our daughter works as a music teacher at an inner city school, and is trying to raise some funds for classroom supplies to augment the money she already chips in herself. If you are able to help, we would appreciate … Continue reading →Th

Walmart Crowdsourcing Delivery?

Published on 2013-03-28 19:48:25

Crowdsourcing is a modern term that is usually connected with Internet ventures, and it generally means spreading the load of a project among many people, often members of the public. Walmart is putting out the concept where you can order … Con

More Smartphone Health Tech

Published on 2013-03-27 21:24:01

As more folk are realizing, smartphones are not just cell phones; they are very portable, quite powerful computers. We are now seeing that fact being translated into inexpensive and portable personal medical monitoring systems, built around smartphon

RFID Bank Cards – Easier Pickings?

Published on 2013-03-26 21:29:06

Bank cards (credit and debit) usually have that magnetic stripe, where you slide the card through a reader – sometimes several times – and can then make your transaction. The magnetic stripe contains the card information so you don’

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2013-03-26 17:35:11

Q – What was the first networked computer game?

Remember This? Color TV

Published on 2013-03-25 20:17:10

History is in black and white – or at least that’s the way we perceive it these days; if you see a movie or TV show in black and white, you pretty much assume it’s “old”. That’s generally true, although … Con

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2013-03-24 17:18:12

Q – Where did the company name Motorola come from?

Windows 8 – Should You Upgrade?

Published on 2013-03-24 14:09:23

Windows 8 has been out for almost six months now, and I have been using it full time on my home laptop for a couple of months. It works fine; it’s fast and stable (as it should be), but it … Continue reading →The post Windows 8 R

Hold The Phone, Here Comes The Smartwatch

Published on 2013-03-24 11:29:39

Once upon a time, we had laptop computers; we also had cell phones. Then we decided to scrunch them together and make a smartphone. Then we thought maybe we could blend the nice touch interface of the smartphone into a … Continue reading →

Remember This? The Voyager Space Probes

Published on 2013-03-24 08:00:23

Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 were launched the same year the original Star Wars movie came out, and funnily enough I remember that more than the Voyager launches. The space probes were designed to get close up photographs and other … Continue readin

Product Placement To The Max

Published on 2013-03-23 17:41:02

A lot of entertainment products like movies and TV shows make money from “product placement” – notice how laptop computers in movies are invariably made by Apple or Sony? By putting the advertising or the product itself the show, it

The Cost Of Free Stuff

Published on 2013-03-23 16:22:20

Free stuff is great. As a miserly Scot, I am hip to that – and there is a lot of free stuff available on the Internet. However, no charge does not mean no cost; with very few exceptions there are … Continue reading →The post The Cos

The Android Shuffle

Published on 2013-03-23 09:24:42

I have just become a victim of customization, after switching from my Virgin Mobile smartphone to a Sprint HTC phone supplied by my job. As you may know, Android smartphones can actually be quite different in operation, as manufacturers and … C

Weekly Round Up

Published on 2013-03-23 07:35:40

Hey kids, another week just shot past and it’s time for me to bring you a few more links that caught my eye as I meandered around the Internet this past week… Super Important Test! Introducing the Leap Motion – … Continue read

Happy 20th Birthday, Intel Pentium!

Published on 2013-03-22 20:14:55

The Intel Pentium computer processing chip was introduce some 20 years ago today, back in 1993 – the processor being the hard-working part of the PC, it’s “brain” if you like. The Pentium family included the unwieldy beast sho

Pope Malware Doing The Rounds

Published on 2013-03-20 18:21:44

As usual, the folks who peddle malware like to cash in on whatever is popular or in the public consciousness at the moment – and this time it’s His Holiness the Pope. Under the guise of “news alerts” from CNN … Continue

The Minuum Keyboard

Published on 2013-03-19 21:39:40

The good old typewriter-style “qwerty” keyboard is still the predominant method of inputting data into computing devices. While some smartphones may have slide-out (tiny) physical keyboards, most mobile devices use an on-screen keyboard r

Boomer Retirement Worries

Published on 2013-03-19 17:33:46

The notion of retirement – the time when you stop “working” for a living and live off your savings – is a thing of the past for many Baby Boomers, myself included. The times they are a-changin’, as the song … Conti

Windows 7 Support And SP1

Published on 2013-03-19 08:44:51

Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system will be supported through 2020, meaning Microsoft will will supply security updates and so on till that time. Importantly though, you will need to have Service Pack 1 installed to continue to receive these

Internet Explorer 10 Compatibility View Mode

Published on 2013-03-18 13:15:14

The latest version of Microsoft’s built-in web browser, Internet Explorer 10 (IE 10)  has a few operational differences from previous versions (I found this out at work today). IE 10 comes with Windows 8, and is also now available for …

Cyber Attacks: Bigger Impact Than Terrorism

Published on 2013-03-17 14:55:28

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, in a March 12th threat assessment speech to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, had the recent global cyber attacks at the top of the list – before terrorist attacks and weapons of mass

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2013-03-17 12:55:57

Q – Why does Twitter limit “tweets” to 140 characters? A – Twitter was based upon SMS (texting) and it has a 160 character limit; the other 20 characters allow for the Twitter user’s handle (@oldgoatguide)The post Random

Happy St Patrick’s Day!

Published on 2013-03-17 11:50:54

The post Happy St Patrick’s Day! appeared first on Old Goat Guide.

One Core, Two Cores, Three Cores, Four?

Published on 2013-03-17 10:18:55

If you are at all curious about computing products (PCs, smartphones, tablets), you may have noticed references to CPU “cores” – so what is that, and what does it mean if there are multiple cores? The Central Processing Unit (CPU) &

Remember This? Rotary Dial Phone

Published on 2013-03-17 09:18:55

During the last century, the telephone was a huge piece of technology; it developed from the operator-assisted calls (“Operator? Get me Midvale 2323!”) to the rotary dial phone, which reigned for many decades until touch-tone or DTMF dial

Apple OS X 10.9 On The Way

Published on 2013-03-16 16:40:09

The next version of Apple’s computer operating system, OS X version 10.9, should be here in July and the “developer preview” should be with us in the next few weeks. The preview gives the people who write the software a … Cont

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2013-03-16 16:04:29

Q – What did mobile device manufacture Nokia originally make? A – They were a paper manufacturer, beginning in 1865. The name Nokia was taken from a town near the location of the company’s second paper mill.

Apple Brings The Snark

Published on 2013-03-16 15:37:04

The late Apple CEO Steve Jobs famously declared that “…I will spend every penny of Apple’s $40 billion in the bank, to right this wrong. I’m going to destroy Android, because it’s a stolen product. I’m willing to go th

The Smartphone – How Did We Get Here?

Published on 2013-03-16 08:41:28

The big brother of the standard cell phone – the smartphone – has really become a part of everyday life in many countries, and half of the cell phone subscribers in the US now have a smartphone. The term “smartphone” … C

How Many Gadgets?

Published on 2013-03-15 22:25:28

How many gadgets do you carry around with you these days? A smartphone, or maybe an mp3 player, or something else? Worldwide, the average is reported to be 2.9 devices. Myself, I have my phone and that’s it (and I … Continue reading ͛

Remember This? The Slide Rule

Published on 2013-03-15 21:01:16

An indispensable tool of scientists and engineers – until pocket calculators made them obsolete in the 70′s – the slide rule (or “slip stick”) is largely just an historical curiosity these days. I actually did use a slid

Uncle Sam To Citizens: Show Me The Money

Published on 2013-03-15 20:51:14

The following is reported by Reuters, and seems to be the latest in a growing list of things you don’t necessarily want the government to do – but they will anyway. So there. (Reuters) – The Obama administration is drawing … C

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2013-03-15 19:22:02

Ah, the weekend where everyone is Irish. Meanwhile, here are some links that caught my eye this past week. How To Make A Real Hoverboard – uh, okay…. Best British Slang Americans Should Adopt – it’s the bee’s knees! A &#

Remember This? Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody

Published on 2013-03-14 23:04:02

In 1975, a very unusual single blasted it’s way into the public consciousness – Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, a big, gaudy and fun recording that eschewed the conventions of the time for a single release at almost 6 minutes long. In &#

Raspberry Pi Day!

Published on 2013-03-14 19:37:32

I am a little tardy on this one, but today (March 14th) is Raspberry Pi day! Er, what is Raspberry Pi? It’s tiny, single board computer with a cute name. There are other small, inexpensive, computer packages – but Raspberry … Contin

Quickly Test Your PC Hard Drive

Published on 2013-03-12 20:58:08

The hard drive on your PC or laptop is a bit of a weak link; both your operating system and your data (photos, music, etc) live on the hard drive. If the hard drive fails, it’s either an inconvenience or … Continue reading →The post

Remember This? The Beatles – A Day In The Life

Published on 2013-03-12 18:34:27

If you are a younger reader, you may not be aware of what a big deal the The Beatles were in their day. Not only did they have phenomenal success over the relatively brief 10 year period they were together, … Continue reading →The post Re

Windows 8 And Mainstream Users

Published on 2013-03-12 06:19:20

Microsoft’s latest OS, Windows 8, seems to still be on the runway, trying to pick up enough speed to actually take off. It’s selling, but not at anything like the rate Microsoft (and PC makers) had hoped for. It’s a … Continue

SXSW And Grumpy Cat

Published on 2013-03-11 21:56:35

To a lot of folk, the headline above may not even makes sense, so let me do some splainin’; South By Southwest (SXSW) has become an annual staple in Austin TX since it started in 1987 as a music festival.  … Continue reading →The p

Remember This? 10CC – I’m Not In Love

Published on 2013-03-10 19:47:40

Back in 1975 – the year before I graduated High School – the British group 10CC released the single “I’m Not In Love”, which reached number 1 in the UK charts and made number 2 in the USA, their first … Continue re

Carpal Tunnel, Arthritis, And Voice Commands

Published on 2013-03-10 16:03:51

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a painful condition that can arise in people who make repetitive finger or hand motions – like typing. The best “cure” is to stop doing what caused the problem in the first place. Arthritis is another ̷

Medical Marijuana In The Cloud

Published on 2013-03-10 09:18:08

No, not clouds of medical marijuana (although that could be the case, too), but a company called MediSwipe has announced a “cloud-based patient and caregiver tracking system designed to help pharmacies, dispensaries and provisional centers with

Getting Around The New Facebook News Feed

Published on 2013-03-09 19:46:59

Guess what, kids? Facebook is launching a redesigned news feed! Actually, Mark Zuckerberg showed off the new design a couple of days ago, but the actual changed feed will be rolled out over time. If you are enamored of it … Continue reading 

Beef With The Benefits Of Fish Oil

Published on 2013-03-09 15:40:46

If you don’t like fish (and I don’t), you are probably missing out on the benefits of the Omega-3 oil that eating fish can provide to your diet. Omega-3 oil is thought to be beneficial for heart health and other … Continue reading &

Banning Internet Porn

Published on 2013-03-09 11:51:12

Internet Porn (pornography) is a multi-billion dollar industry; we (overwhelmingly males) seem to thrive on the seedy stuff or the stuff that’s bad for us, don’t we? There are some concerted efforts to ban Internet porn, not just the ghas

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2013-03-09 08:19:12

Each week, more or less, I post a few links that caught my eye as I surfed around the big wide ‘web. It’s my little snapshot of silly, interesting  or infuriating things I may have seen: Escape Your Search Engine … Continue reading

SANS Ouch! March 2013: Social Networking Safety

Published on 2013-03-07 12:53:28

The SANS Institute publishes monthly newsletters on security-related topics, presented in a user-friendly manner. This month’s SAN Ouch! edition discusses safe practices while engaging with Social Networking sites (Facebook LinkedIn, Twitter and th

Apple, News Corp Bid For Education Market

Published on 2013-03-07 11:10:29

In a rather strange tussle, Apple and News Corp (yes, the Fox News parent company) find themselves in a bit of competition over education dollars. Apple has had a strong presence in the education market for years, and now has … Continue reading

Microsoft Patch Tuesday: Feb 12th

Published on 2013-03-06 20:05:03

The next Microsoft Patch Tuesday – on February 12th – contains several critical updates for both Windows and Internet Explorer, as well as several other updates rated important. Patch Tuesday is Microsoft’s scheduled monthly release

What Is “Digital”, Anyway?

Published on 2013-03-04 20:48:30

We are living in a digital world, so to speak; each year we see more and more products using digital technology. So, what is “digital”, what does that mean? I’m going to try to keep this short (and therefore probably … Continu

Picks And Pans For 3/3/2013

Published on 2013-03-03 12:43:27

Pick - Microsoft, for releasing Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7 users Pan – Oracle, for turning Java (in)security into a wack-a-mole gameThe post Picks And Pans For 3/3/2013 appeared first on Old Goat Guide.

The Keep Calm Meme

Published on 2013-03-03 10:15:24

The Internet is, perhaps, the perfect home for memes. A meme (shortened form of mimeme) is “an idea, behavior or style that spreads from person to person within a culture.” In the old days, we would have called them fads, I … Conti

Twitter Search Tool Update

Published on 2013-03-03 09:19:24

Twitter is a pretty fun distraction, but one of the tools I have used quite a bit – and have mentioned here – seems to be having problems. For about the last week, the site Twinitor.com has been displaying the … Continue reading 

Electronic Health Records Need Help

Published on 2013-03-02 10:49:30

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have been held up for some time as a great cost saving measure, but so far they have failed to deliver. The RAND corporation had produced a study in 2005 that projected the benefits of EHRs, … Continue reading &

David Bowie Has A New Album – Listen Free!

Published on 2013-03-02 08:30:17

As a baby boomer, I have fond memories of listening to Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane, gamely trying to figure out what the heck David Bowie was on about. The music was the thing though, and the Thin White Duke … Continue reading →The po

If You Have An SSD Drive, Use A UPS

Published on 2013-03-01 22:25:44

SSD (Solid State Disk) devices are becoming very popular and are slowly replacing traditional hard disk drives, particularly in notebook devices. While the SSDs are fast, lightweight and quiet, they are still relatively expensive, although prices con

Smart Cane From Fujitsu

Published on 2013-03-01 21:17:22

This is not like the “Hurry-Cane” you see on TV, but rather a “smart”  cane (or walking stick) from Japanese technology company Fujitsu. Japan has a rapidly aging population, although this device could be useful to anyone who

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2013-03-01 19:36:35

Another week, another short list of items that caught my eye as I wandered the labyrinth that is the World Wide Web. 28 Things That Will Change The Way You See The World – quite cool Come And Get It … Continue reading →The post Week

Boomer Trip To Mars?

Published on 2013-02-28 19:10:10

If you are a boomer and looking to get away – far, far away – from it all, then multimillionaire Dennis Tito may have just the thing; how about an all-expenses paid 17-month trip for two to Mars? Yes, the planet … Continue reading

Apple Keeps iCloud Emails Smut-Free

Published on 2013-02-28 15:24:28

Apple as a company has a history of eschewing pornography in general; pornographic Apps are not allowed on iTunes, and most recently it has been revealed that the iCloud email service filters emails with certain words or phrases (such as … Cont

Stretch Your Battery – Literally

Published on 2013-02-27 19:26:45

We are not talking about stretching or extending battery life here; a battery is one of the last things I would think of as being “flexible” or “stretchable”, and yet that’s just what researchers at a couple of Illinois

Java, Flash Still Jiggered

Published on 2013-02-26 19:38:40

Yeah, this is getting old already; new security flaws found in the latest Java version, and Adobe had to issue two new patches for Flash player. Again. Crikey, I don’t know what to tell you, folks.The post Java, Flash Still Jiggered appeared fi

Internet Explorer 10 Now Available For Windows 7

Published on 2013-02-26 12:07:58

For those who are counting – and I realize most of you probably are not – the latest version of Internet Explorer (IE) available on Windows 7 was IE 9. Until now. Microsoft has released the Windows 8 version of … Continue reading &#

The Well-Named Titan Video Card

Published on 2013-02-25 21:14:22

I don’t normally write here about computer hardware, but this is worth a couple of paragraphs, I think – Nvidia’s new Titan video card. A video card is something most computer users don’t know or care much about – unlike

Seniors And Boomers Internet Usage

Published on 2013-02-24 18:58:26

Some infographic goodness showing what us old duffers are up to. Please click the image below to see the whole thing – it’s much bigger.

New Google Chrome Browser Is Listening

Published on 2013-02-24 15:33:38

The latest version of the Google Chrome web browser – number 25 – features speech recognition capability, among security and other fixes. The speech recognition feature can handle short commands or continuous dictation, and appears to be

Google – Good To Know

Published on 2013-02-24 09:36:08

Google, the Internet behemoth, has a informational site known as Good To Know. It’s something every user of the Internet should probably visit at least once, just to get up to speed on staying safe and secure online in an … Continue readi

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2013-02-23 14:07:47

Another week gone by – they go so quickly – and time for a quick round-up of items of interest I bumped into over the past week. They may not be new, but they are hopefully interesting, funny, or enlightening. … Continue reading 

The LP Record Reaches Retirement Age

Published on 2013-02-22 23:21:18

The LP (long-playing) vinyl record album is 65 years old this year. For the younger readers, that’s the medium us codgers got our recorded music on – about 20 minute’s worth of analog music goodness on each side. The 10 … Cont

A Chromebook For HOW Much?

Published on 2013-02-21 20:44:55

The Google Chromebook has, up until now, been an example example of an inexpensive laptop, running a novel operating system – Google’s Chrome OS, itself based upon the Chrome browser. A Chromebook is a largely Cloud-based device, with lit

A New Look At Google Glass

Published on 2013-02-20 22:46:29

I will probably never own a pair of these, unless I win one in a contest or something; the video is mildly annoying, with jangly music and folk doing “everyday” things like sculpting tigers from ice and swinging on a … Continue read

Clever Browser Plug-Ins Nix Profanity

Published on 2013-02-20 19:49:24

Profanity and the web go together like bacon and eggs, gin and tonic or death and taxes. However, you can filter out tiresome or provocative potty-mouths on both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox by using some clever plugins. Now bear … Continu

Mozilla Firefox 19 Is Here

Published on 2013-02-20 09:48:49

Mozilla’s latest version of their Firefox web browser is out; Mozilla Firefox version 19 includes several critical security fixes, and the welcome addition of a built-in PDF viewer (Google’s Chrome browser already has  it’s own PDF

Android Mobile Security Products Jan 2013

Published on 2013-02-19 18:52:18

For those of us with an Android-powered Smartphone or tablet device, you should be aware that the platform is quickly becoming an appealing target for malware writers. Most of us always have our phone with us, and may have a … Continue reading

Meanwhile, Back In 1984…

Published on 2013-02-18 20:11:21

The post Meanwhile, Back In 1984… appeared first on Old Goat Guide.

Never Mind Mice, What About Botnets?

Published on 2013-02-18 13:49:54

If you have ever had mice in your home, it’s not cute on any level. They don’t leave neat little archway holes in your baseboards and they don’t just steal crumbs of cheese that are lying around. Computer malware is … Continue

Who Uses Social Media?

Published on 2013-02-18 11:29:55

When you want to find out stuff like that, you take a survey – and that’s exactly what Pew Research did late last year as part of their Internet & American Life Project, and the results are in: Internet users … Continue reading U

What Is Android Fragmentation?

Published on 2013-02-17 10:21:54

The Google Android operating system has become very popular, but there is a troublesome issue that remains to be addressed by companies selling devices running Android; that issue is fragmentation. The term refers to the vast disparity in the availab

404 Pages Re-Imagined

Published on 2013-02-16 15:38:47

When you follow a “broken link” in your browser, you may find yourself at a 404 Page – basically, a fall-back page telling you that whatever you thought you were going to see, is not in fact at that Internet … Continue reading

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2013-02-16 14:27:49

Once around the web again, with my (usually) weekly round-up of bits and pieces that caught my eye as potentially interesting to my thoughtful readers. Enjoy. Gang Members “Friend” Cop On Facebook – hilarity ensues… How To Fix

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2013-02-16 13:06:50

Q -What is a “compression bomb”? A – A “compression bomb’ or “zip bomb” is a cunningly constructed compressed file (a zip file, for example). When you try to extract it (or when your antivirus software tries

Firefox Modern For Windows 8

Published on 2013-02-16 09:23:02

The new Windows 8 User Interface (UI) was originally called “Metro”, but is now referred to as the “Modern” UI. Window RT (the version of Windows 8 that runs only on tablet hardware) only runs Modern Apps, whereas Windows 8 &#

Windows Updates Ending For Windows 7

Published on 2013-02-15 19:13:22

Windows updates are important, critically so in many cases. If you use Windows 7 at home, please be aware that support for Windows Updates for Windows 7 is ending on April 9th, 2013 – unless you have Service Pack 1  … Continue reading &#

3 Great Online Learning Resources

Published on 2013-02-14 22:37:06

Online learning can be a rewarding experience, and probably is a better way to use up that bandwidth than watching kitten videos – nothing against our fuzzy feline friends, of course. The free sites mentioned here can be used at … Continu

Another Adobe Fire Drill; This Time, It’s PDFs

Published on 2013-02-14 18:41:29

Software company Adobe has not had a good couple of weeks; first, a Flash Player problem rated an emergency patch, and now Adobe PDF Reader is subject to a zero-day vulnerability that affects version 9, 10 and 11. A “zero-day” … Con

PC Adventure Games – How It Began

Published on 2013-02-13 20:28:51

Contemporary computer games come in a dazzling variety, even as we tend to categorize them into certain genres. One such style of game, one that was really aided by the ability of a computer programming language to branch off from … Continue re

Valentine’s Day Origin

Published on 2013-02-12 17:42:05

With the Big Day fast approaching, here is the rather touching tale of the legendary origin of this “lovers day”.The post Valentine’s Day Origin appeared first on Old Goat Guide.

Windows 8 Sit Rep

Published on 2013-02-11 18:43:04

Now that I have been using Windows 8 for a week or so, I feel okay about making a couple of observations. I had used the preview version for some time last year, and really did not like it; this … Continue reading →The post Windows 8 Sit

SANS Ouch! Feb 2013 – Email Phishing Attacks

Published on 2013-02-10 21:04:35

The SANS Institute publishes monthly newsletters on security-related topics, presented in a user-friendly manner. This month’s SAN Ouch! edition discusses email phishing attacks, which are still a common problem: English Version (PDF file) Translat

How Would You Feel About A Smartwatch?

Published on 2013-02-10 18:00:43

We have been using smartphones for a while now, and Google is going to be bringing us Google glasses – so maybe it’s time for Apple to bring us a wearable watch-type computer device; a smartwatch, if you like? It … Continue reading

Home Network Via AC Outlets

Published on 2013-02-10 11:40:43

The idea of allowing the power outlets in your home to also be used for your home network is not new, but with prices coming down it can be a useful option for those with a larger home, or where … Continue reading →The post Home Network V

Microsoft Security Essentials Tanks Another Test

Published on 2013-02-09 12:54:31

Microsoft’s free antivirus software for Windows – Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) – has performed poorly in a third set of comparison tests in the last few months. The first two were from AV-Test, and the most recent was from De

Call Me “Doctor” Watson

Published on 2013-02-08 22:25:16

IBM’s Jeopardy-winning Watson supercomputer is showing promise in the field of medicine, one of the areas of research that was alluded to early in the history of this remarkable tool. In this case the field is Oncology, the study and … Co

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2013-02-08 20:00:35

Hey kids! Another look around the web at some links I stumbled across this past week – maybe funny, maybe scary, or just weird. Hopefully interesting. This is blog post number 1,300 by the way – not that I’m counting … Continu

Emergency Flash Player Fix Released

Published on 2013-02-08 10:35:21

Well, that didn’t last long. Adobe had recently started issuing it’s security updates on Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday schedule, in a streamlining effort. Alas, with only a few days to go, Adobe has issued an out-of-band fix to address

YouTube Via Toogles

Published on 2013-02-07 20:21:30

YouTube is a great time-waster – you will have to decide for yourself if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. It’s also can be pretty “busy”, with a lot of stuff going on, comments, etc. If you want … Continue readi

Patch Tuesday Is A Big ‘Un

Published on 2013-02-07 18:05:52

The forthcoming Patch Tuesday is a big one – and with 5 of the 12 security “bulletins” rated as critical – an important one. These security releases come on the second Tuesday of each month, primarily to make things a …

Smartphones Keep On Comin’

Published on 2013-02-06 18:58:34

We are all pretty familiar with the “big names” in smartphones – the Apple iPhone, the Android phones from various makers, Windows phones – and even Blackberry is making some noise again after a bot of a hiatus. Bear in …

Kaspersky AV Users Suffer Some Heartburn

Published on 2013-02-06 18:09:21

Russian-based Kaspersky Labs makes several popular anti-virus products, particularly so in Europe. However, a recent update to some Kaspersky products caused a loss of Internet connectivity for computer users. This kind of thing happens to all AV mak

Can Computer Software Predicts Disasters?

Published on 2013-02-04 09:00:09

Computer software can do amazing things, sometimes unexpected things, but can it be used to predict disasters? Microsoft is trying to see how well (or if) that will actually work to any meaningful degree. What will we think of next? … Continue

DNS Angel – Handy DNS Tool

Published on 2013-02-03 18:11:29

DNS is one of those “techie”-sounding computer concepts, but the idea is simply to translate something like www.google.com into the correct IP address for that site (computers “know” about IP addresses, but not what “www

Free Tax Filing Software

Published on 2013-02-03 10:06:48

It’s that time of year again, when we should all have our W-2 forms in hand and have to start to think about actually filing our returns. The IRS has a list of “free file” tax filing products here, and … Continue reading ͛

Chinese Hackers? Maybe…

Published on 2013-02-03 08:38:49

The recent spate of hack attacks on The New York Times and Washington Post have been pretty squarely laid at the door of Chinese hackers, working for the Beijing government or military. Yet some security analysts are now saying the … Continue r

Super Bowl – Our Other National Holiday

Published on 2013-02-02 19:29:09

The Super Bowl has come a long way since the first end-of-season championship game back in 1967, when the Green Bay Packers were victorious over the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10. The Monkees “I’m a Believer” was number one in the …

Windows 8 Apps (Free Ones)

Published on 2013-02-02 09:16:57

I don’t believe I mentioned this, but I am now running Windows 8 on my laptop; Linux Mint is gone for now, although I will return to it in the future. Consequently, I’ll probably have some more Windows 8 – … Continue reading &

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2013-02-02 08:11:58

It’s the end of another week, and time to take a quick spin around the old WWW. Food safety tips for Super Bowl Sunday – don’t put your guests on the sidelines! When the Sun lets one rip – a … Continue reading →The

Top 5 Things About Growing Older

Published on 2013-02-02 07:21:44

Yes, there are some benefits to making it past that “certain age”: 5 – Things you buy now won’t wear out 4 – Others no longer think you’re a hypochondriac 3 – Kidnappers are much less interested in you 2 R

Bitdefender Free Antivirus – Some Good News

Published on 2013-01-31 23:01:10

When Bitdefender Free first came out, I tried it on a Windows 7 computer and, well, I was very disappointed. It seemed so promising, but in my testing it was rather awful. So much so, that I said I would … Continue reading →The post Bitde

UPnP – What Is It, And Why All The Fuss?

Published on 2013-01-31 20:44:35

UPnP is getting a lot of (bad) press over the last few days, culminating in a warning issued by CERT (a Big Deal in the security world). Simply put, UPnP (Universal Plug n Play) is a convenience feature that makes … Continue reading →The

The Gasbuddy App

Published on 2013-01-31 08:06:50

Have you ever stopped to get gas, left the gas station and within a few minutes notice two other gas stations that had substantially cheaper gas – it’s not just me, right? As a frugal Scot, I hate that. Well, … Continue reading U

Data Privacy Day

Published on 2013-01-29 18:54:39

Data Privacy Day was yesterday, January 28; it’s an annual effort to bring awareness to the issue of online privacy (or the lack of it). Web search site DuckDuckGo has a neato site called FixTracking to help you get familiar … Continue re

How-To Quickies: Protopage

Published on 2013-01-28 20:19:23

Protopage is a web-based start page, or home page, that can follow you from computer to computer. There are several other websites like this, I just happen to use Protopage myself and enjoy it. Once on the site, you can … Continue reading ͛

Retirement Rears It’s Ugly Head

Published on 2013-01-27 21:58:21

I turned 55 last year, and so the subject of retirement raised itself up from the murky depths of my mind. For some reason, I thought that the “early retirement” age where you could start to draw upon Social Security … Continue read

Boeing: A Bothersome Battery Bungle

Published on 2013-01-27 18:50:29

The flagship Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been grounded worldwide, affecting around 50 of the new aircraft. The main issue that led to this FAA action were instances where onboard batteries overheated and either caught fire, or caused other components t

Free Screenshot Action With Greenshot

Published on 2013-01-27 15:48:14

If you have the need to take a screenshot (an image of all or part of the computer screen you are using), there are a couple of ways you can do it. Windows has a built in option to use … Continue reading →The post Free Screenshot Action W

Cloud Computing – What Is It?

Published on 2013-01-26 18:04:48

If anyone asks me about what cloud computing is, I usually respond with something like; “It’s just a marketing term for the Internet”. In a way that’s true, but it’s a skimpy answer and doesn’t speak to the underly

Small Site Update

Published on 2013-01-26 11:13:40

I now have a magazine-type site based upon my Twitter feeds, courtesy of Rebelmouse – I think it looks pretty sweet! I am also planning on doing some more short videos for my HowToQuickies page on YouTube. You may see … Continue reading &

Identity Theft Protection – Help Yourself

Published on 2013-01-26 08:47:59

Identity theft protection has become a pretty important consideration for a lot of us; we are more aware that the Bad Guys can do horrible things once they have access to a few pieces of information – and worse, it’s … Continue read

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2013-01-25 23:38:02

Once around the web, dear friends, once more. Another collection of links to things that caught my eye this past week – enjoy. A Hot Tub Boat – just because… Hacker’s Essentials Kit – for all your, um, hacking needs R

Another 9/11 Coming?

Published on 2013-01-25 19:27:42

Janet Napolitano, the Secretary of Homeland Security, warns that another 9/11 may be imminent – except this time not necessarily focused upon killing people and destroying property, but rather completely screwing up our telecommunications, comp

New Version Of CCleaner Adds IE 10 App Support

Published on 2013-01-25 11:39:07

CCleaner is a useful free cleanup tool for Windows computers that I have mentioned here several times in the past. Maker Piriform just issued a new version (version 3.27) which adds support for the “Metro/Modern” App version of Internet E

Skype – What’s The Score?

Published on 2013-01-24 21:07:13

Skype has been around for years, and is widely used for “phone calls” from your computer, and  was purchased a couple of years ago by Microsoft. Skype can also be used as an Instant Message (IM) client, like MSN Messenger. … Contin

Great Tech-spectations

Published on 2013-01-24 19:56:40

When you look around in a public place, you typically see a lot of tech in use; people listening to music,  yakking on the phone, updating or checking their “status”. People seem so preoccupied with stuff – are you? Do … Cont

How-to Quickies: Test Your Antivirus

Published on 2013-01-23 23:45:13

Here is a quick way to test that your antivirus software actually works. While it does not measure it’s effectiveness against new threats, this test does confirm that the software will detect a standard test “virus”, so you know you

Foxit Reader Gets Patched

Published on 2013-01-22 18:08:44

Foxit Reader allows you to view PDF type files, and is a popular free alternative to Acrobat’s Adobe Reader (which over the years, seems to have swelled up out of all proportion). There is an important security update now available for …

4 Tablet PC – Picking Tips

Published on 2013-01-21 21:44:49

If you are looking to buy a tablet PC, here are some things to consider before you plunk down the Benjamins. Apple iPads are probably easier to compare; there are relatively few models and the interface is the same across … Continue reading 

Atari Files For Chapter 11

Published on 2013-01-21 18:37:53

Wow, another one bites the dust – another boyhood memory trampled. Sniff. Video game maker Atari has run out of quarters and is filing for bankruptcy after years of struggling to keep afloat, most recently licensing it’s name to other 

Getting Your Personal Affairs In Order

Published on 2013-01-19 21:13:05

If the Lord tarries, we will all shuffle off this mortal coil sooner or later – baby boomer or not. Once you are out of the picture, have you made provision for your spouse or other loved ones to be … Continue reading →The post Gett

Customers Are Avoiding Windows RT In Droves

Published on 2013-01-19 10:40:14

Microsoft has sold about a million Surface laptop/tablet devices since it launched – about half of what was expected. All of these so far are using Windows RT, which is a sort of “lite” version of Windows 8, specifically designed &#

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2013-01-19 09:28:04

Welcome once again to my quick “once around the web”, where I post some links that caught my eye during the past week – maybe funny, maybe just odd. Would An Hourglass Traffic Light Work Better? Get Windows 8 Pro … Continue re

Some Current Malware Scams

Published on 2013-01-18 19:03:41

There are always bogus emails and other scams floating around, and it’s hard to keep up with them. That said, here are a few current malware scams you should be on the lookout for. Note that it doesn’t really matter … Continue readi

Speed Up Your Mac

Published on 2013-01-18 09:24:28

I admit I’m not a Mac person – I know the basics, but I don’t own a Mac. That does not stop me from posting stuff from time to time when I think it’s helpful or timely.  To that end, … Continue reading →The post S

RIM May Yet Pull It Out…

Published on 2013-01-18 07:36:59

RIM, the makers of the floundering BlackBerry phones, are laying it on the line with their long-awaited “BlackBerry 10″ mobile operating system. This, in conjunction with new phone hardware is probably the last best hope for the company t

Free AV Software For Macs

Published on 2013-01-17 19:30:23

Mac users (I believe) now realize with a sigh that yes, computers running Mac OS X can be infected by viruses. Not as readily as Windows systems, and there are not a huge number of Mac infections floating around yet, … Continue reading →T

Microsoft Security Essentials – The Latest Poor Rating

Published on 2013-01-17 18:23:02

For the second time in two months, Microsoft’s free Security Essentials antivirus software has been given a failing grade by the AV-Test Institute. That doesn’t sound good at all, and Microsoft has provided a pretty detailed defense of th

Out-Of-Band Patch For Internet Explorer 6, 7, 8

Published on 2013-01-17 12:50:21

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks with IE and Java patches flying around. The latest from Microsoft is a fix for their last fix – just take my word for it. This patches some “critical” vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer R

Excellent Windows 8 Video Guide

Published on 2013-01-16 20:30:44

I spent about 6 weeks on and off with the preview version of Windows 8 way back last Summer – never did really take to it. However, this guide by Scott Hanselman almost makes me want to break it out … Continue reading →The post Exce

Java And Javascript – Not The Same

Published on 2013-01-16 18:48:07

I have been bellyaching about Java’s security issues for some time here, and I realized that many (most) folk out there are probably unclear on the difference between Java and Javascript. I promise I won’t mention Java again for a …

US Power Companies Dodge Malware

Published on 2013-01-15 18:52:46

But only by luck this time… IDG News Service (Washington, D.C., Bureau) — Two U.S. power companies reported infections of malware during the past three months, with the bad software apparently brought in through tainted USB drives, according

JAVA STILL BUSTED

Published on 2013-01-14 23:05:03

I can’t keep up with this and I feel like I’m wasting my time and yours posting about it every other day – just uninstall the d*mn thing and be done with it!! Here’s the latest from TechEye: Oracle released … Continue re

New Library With No Books

Published on 2013-01-14 22:57:36

The old song “A Pub With No Beer” is a sad lament, indeed – but what if a nice new library in Texas had no books? That sounds pretty sad too – except that the library will have no physical … Continue reading →The p

Java – The Fix Is In

Published on 2013-01-13 20:54:08

After much angst and US Government warnings to remove Java from Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux computers because of an actively exploited security vulnerability, Oracle has released a patch to mitigate against the threat. The patched version is Java &#

Amazon AutoRip

Published on 2013-01-13 18:16:14

CD “ripping” refers to the process of taking the content from an audio CD and converting it – usually to a collection of mp3 files. Amazon has long provided a music download service, as has Apple with iTunes and so … Continue

Another IE Patch Coming

Published on 2013-01-13 11:20:58

The current Internet Explorer vulnerability continues to give grief. The original zero-day problem affecting IE versions 6, 7 and 8 had Microsoft issuing a temporary FixIt patch, which unfortunately was rather quickly bypassed. The last Patch Tuesday

Web Browser Versions Right Now

Published on 2013-01-13 07:22:33

These days the Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox browsers are updated at an almost frantic pace. Security fixes are usually high on the list of reasons to keep up with the current version, and most browsers will automatically update by … Contin

Apple OS X Blocks Java Browser Plugin

Published on 2013-01-12 14:51:15

The current Java plugin exploit does not only affect Windows computers, and Apple has moved to blacklist the currently vulnerable plugin if it is already installed on your OS X system. Apple has a complicated recent history with Java; they … Co

Steadicam For The Rest Of Us

Published on 2013-01-12 13:22:32

Tiffen’s Steadicam is a well-known name in movie circles; it’s a very clever gimbal mount used to allow movie makers to make smooth sequences while using a handheld camera. Handheld shots are often use for close up, frantic action (think

Why Security Vulnerabilities Are Important

Published on 2013-01-12 11:36:39

Without making this a “Security Blog” – of which there are plenty of good ones – I do post notifications about serious vulnerabilities pretty regularly (and highlight some on the “Security Buzz” list on the left).

Weekly Round-Up (CES 2013 Edition)

Published on 2013-01-12 09:27:53

This week’s round up is CES-centered, as the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show just wound up in Las Vegas. Links are all courtesy of Digital Trends. Best of CES – Cars Best of CES – Computing Best of CES – Mobile … Continue

Another Hot Java Mess

Published on 2013-01-10 15:57:13

Oracle’s Java and Adobe Flash seem to be the go-to methods used by the Bad Guys to gain access to your computer these days, and this time it’s Java’s turn. A new zero-day vulnerability is reportedly  being “massively exploite

Philips Lifeline – Now With Skyhook!

Published on 2013-01-09 19:03:05

Philips Lifeline provides a medical alert service, and as such it can be vitally important to know the location of the wearer, particularly if they are having trouble speaking during their emergency. The company is teaming up with Skyhook, a …

Health Information Exchange Implemented In AR

Published on 2013-01-08 19:42:13

An Arkansas hospital is the first to implement a statewide Health Information Exchange (HIE) in the state. The HIE refers to the transmission of health care data among hospitals, health information organizations and government agencies. These are an

Satellite Internet – Filling A Gap?

Published on 2013-01-08 18:49:20

A lot of Americans already have broadband Internet service, and still more have access available if they want it – but there are still large areas of the country where “dial-up” is your only option. If you have not tried … Con

The Looming Internet Of Things

Published on 2013-01-08 07:32:13

I tend to follow the school of thought that just because to you can do something, it does not always follow that you should. While it may just be general crustiness on my part having passed my half century, I … Continue reading →The post

Google And Kia Sitting In A Tree…

Published on 2013-01-07 22:19:06

Voice is the next big thing, I do believe. Speech recognition is now at the point where it can actually be useful – Apple’s Siri digital assistant, and IBM’s Watson super computer are two examples that sprung into the public …

Internet Explorer Zero-Day Exploit Not Dead

Published on 2013-01-07 21:57:07

You may recall a “zero-day” security vulnerability affecting IE 6,7 and 8 (basically the Internet Explorer versions available to Windows XP users) from  a week or so ago? The one that’s NOT being permanently fixed as part of  tomo

Keeping Up With CES

Published on 2013-01-07 19:53:24

The Consumer Electronics Show 2013 is underway, and I have a couple of handy-dandy ways to keep up with the news. If you are a Twitter user, you can use the tags #CES or #2013CES to get the skinny. Even … Continue reading →The post Keepin

Grandparents Gone Wired

Published on 2013-01-07 18:16:47

Intel and DoSomething.org have teamed up to bring us the second annual Grandparents Gone Wired campaign, which encourages young people to get involved with seniors in their community to help them with Facebook, email and the like. According to the &#

The Promise Of Digital Medicine

Published on 2013-01-07 10:46:16

Over the next few years, expect to see a dramatic increase in the use and scope of digital technology in medicine. The reasons are primarily financial, although other benefits should accrue as the technology takes hold. The Affordable Care Act …

Expand Your Brain With Evernote

Published on 2013-01-06 22:08:26

Evernote is note-taking cranked up to eleven! The software allows you to remember (and find) text, photos, handwritten notes, scanned information and so on – it’s like expanding your brain online. There are free and premium versions avail

Consumer Data Collection

Published on 2013-01-06 15:13:33

We know the maxim of real estate buyers and sellers; “location, location, location”. It’s also true for data collection, and with the ubiquity of mobile apps that “geolocate” – that is, identify your physical locat

Some Boomers Embrace Technology With A Vengeance

Published on 2013-01-06 12:45:04

Put away the cozy image of the little old lady knitting a sweater for the grandkids, or the distinguished gentlemen playing chess in the park, because the newest elder generation is not going to sit quiety in a rocking chair. … Continue reading

Google Not Evil – FTC

Published on 2013-01-06 12:30:29

Much has been written about Google and their “Don’t Be Evil” motto, usually when their hand appears to be in the cookie jar, of course. The US Federal Trade Commission has had Google under investigation for over a year to … Co

LogMeIn Cubby – Another Cloud Storage Solution

Published on 2013-01-06 09:49:30

The Cloud Storage landscape seems to keep growing, and I stumbled across a newer one this morning; Cubby, from LogMeIn. Cloud storage in general is a painless way for regular folk to know that they have a backup copy of … Continue reading ͛

Asus And Leap Motion Work Some Magic

Published on 2013-01-06 09:20:12

I’ve written about the SciFi thriller movie Minority Report here several times, in reference to the computer systems the presented – which used pretty spectacular gesture-based interfaces. A lot of this technology is pretty much already h

Smarter Cars Keep Coming

Published on 2013-01-06 07:44:39

Not only are Toyota and Audi now apparently hopping on board the “driver-less car” bandwagon at this year’s CES, but Cisco Systems (a major network equipment maker) is partnering with others to develop Car-To-Car (C2C) and Car-To-In

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2013-01-05 20:43:07

Q – In computing, what is Moore’s Law? A – Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, observed that the transistor density (and by inference the computing capacity) of computer circuitry doubled every two years – and interestingly, th

IObit Advanced SystemCare 6

Published on 2013-01-05 19:02:20

I mention Windows PC cleanup and tune-up products from time to time, with an emphasis on free software. Most Windows users will notice over time that their computer experience seems to become sluggish, and often this can be largely reversed … C

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2013-01-05 14:55:33

Another week has flown past, and as usual I present a handful of links to things that caught my eye this past week – in the hope they will also tickle your fancy… MI6 Replaces Al Qaeda Bomb Recipe With … Continue reading →The

Photoshopping For Convenience

Published on 2013-01-05 12:48:10

When I use the term “Photoshopping”, I mean the process (some would say “art”) of manipulating digital images  – somewhat analogous to the term “airbrushing”. It’s named for the Photoshop software prog

Has Your Bank Website Been Slow Lately?

Published on 2013-01-04 22:38:15

If you have found your bank website to be slower that expected lately, it may be due to a hacker group launching a campaign of denial of service (DOS) attacks on US banks for the last week – a continuation … Continue reading →The po

Random Tech Facts

Published on 2013-01-04 21:05:59

Here are some rather random, although hopefully interesting, facts and figures floating around this week: Android Jelly Bean (v 4.1 and 4.2) is now on 10% of Android devices. Ice Cream Sandwich (v 4.0) currently accounts for around 29%. Digital ̷

Arthur C Clarke Is The Man

Published on 2013-01-04 16:35:44

The late Sir Arthur C Clarke was a well-known writer of Science Fiction novels and short stories (2001: A Space Odyssey, Rendezvous With Rama, and so on), and was also a bit of a futurist, explorer and inventor in his … Continue reading →

Microsoft Patch Tuesday On The Way

Published on 2013-01-04 09:16:24

The next Microsoft Patch Tuesday – on January 8th – will have two critical and five important fixes. However, it does not include a permanent fix for the recent zero-day Internet Explorer vulnerability that primarily affects Windows XP us

A Heart-Powered Pacemaker

Published on 2013-01-03 19:22:31

Pacemakers are a literal lifesaver for many people, and not just older folk. Anyone who needs their heartbeat to be artificially regulated can benefit from these devices. The pacemaker stimulates the heart into producing  a regular beat using a smal

Google Glass Update

Published on 2013-01-02 07:17:58

The Google Glass update from this article is – “We have Top Men working on it. Top Men.” Whether Google – or more specifically, head of the Google Glass Project, Babak Parviz – is just being coy or not is … Continu

Free Online Tutorials From Goodwill

Published on 2013-01-01 21:15:06

The non-profit Goodwill International is well-known for their thrift stores in the US, but there is a side to Goodwill that you are probably less familiar with, which is a shame. GCF LearnFree is a great website with a large … Continue reading

No Facebook Passwords!

Published on 2013-01-01 16:33:27

California and Illinois – two otherwise wildly different states – have now become the first to create laws expressly forbidding prospective employers from requiring password access to a job applicant’s social media or other online a

3 Things To Watch In 2013

Published on 2013-01-01 12:37:43

2012 is gone, and in some ways, good riddance! Another year is ahead, another “fresh start” in many peoples lives – or at least we promise ourselves that. There are a few things I’ll be watching with particular interest, some

Electronic Health Records And The Cloud

Published on 2013-01-01 10:39:03

The move to Electronic Health Records (EHRs) in the US is expected to be a big part of the future of health care. Of course there are privacy and security concerns, and with the rush to “cloud” computing it increases … Continue read

Happy New Year!

Published on 2012-12-31 23:57:46

My home town in Scotland, and a traditional Scottish Hogmanay greeting.The post Happy New Year! appeared first on Old Goat Guide.

Windows XP Users Take Note Of IE Zero-Day Exploit

Published on 2012-12-31 18:13:38

There is a “zero day” vulnerability floating around for Internet Explorer (IE) version 6, 7 and 8 – one of which you will have if you are running Windows XP.  IE versions 9 and 10 (Windows 7 and 8 respectively) … Continue rea

Amazon Tops Holiday E-Tail Satisfaction List Again

Published on 2012-12-30 17:31:46

According to ForeSee’s annual Holiday E-Retail Satisfaction Index, Amazon gets a score of 88, allowing it to keep the top spot for the eighth year in a row – largely, says Foresee, because of the company’s enormous range of products. &#

EFF Lists Which Internet Companies “Have Your Back”

Published on 2012-12-30 17:11:16

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) examined the policies of 18 major Internet companies — including email providers, ISPs, cloud storage providers, and social networking sites — to assess whether they publicly commit to standing with users

Google Malware Checker Gets Twitchy With TwitPic

Published on 2012-12-30 15:00:36

TheNextWeb reports a bit of a faux pas with Google’s malware checker, which attempts to check for and block sites that may serve up malware to unsuspecting web users – a noble aspiration. However, sometimes things go awry with these ̷

What Is An ATM Skimmer?

Published on 2012-12-30 10:53:22

Most of us have probably used an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) at the bank and thought very little about it. It’s one of those commonplace things that becomes a non-thinking chore; put your card in, enter your PIN, make your … Continue r

Fake Antispyware Programs

Published on 2012-12-30 08:08:49

There is quite a cottage industry in fake software that purports to be an antispyware or antimalware program, but is simply a trick to get some money out of you (“Hey, we found 35 problems – to unlock the software … Continue reading

Old Fart Alert! Touch Screen Car Stereo

Published on 2012-12-29 19:37:18

I work in IT, and have done for years – so it pretty much behooves me to embrace (or at least be interested in) technology of different kinds. That does NOT mean I have to blindly accept or like all … Continue reading →The post Old

SANS Ouch! Dec 2012 – 7 Steps To A Secure Computer

Published on 2012-12-29 14:36:01

The SANS Institute publishes monthly newsletters on security-related topics, presented in a user-friendly manner. This month’s edition outlines seven steps to a secure computer: English Version (PDF file) Translated Versions & ArchivesThe post SANS

A Brief History Of The LED

Published on 2012-12-29 11:41:15

The Light Emitting Diode, or LED to it’s friends, is a staple of modern electronics and is making inroads into the area of lighting, both commercially and in homes. In effect, it’s a solid-state version of the incandescent light bulb, 

Foods For Thought

Published on 2012-12-29 10:30:49

Most of you have probably had that “Where are my keys?” moment – you know, those scenarios that seem to occur more frequently as we get older. There are some foods that may be helpful in staving off at least … Continue reading

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-12-29 10:07:33

After a brief hiatus last weekend, I am back with another collection of items that caught my interest this past week… Vacuum Tube Train – apparently, this has been considered for some time Quick Mac Troubleshooting List – a simple,

Bitdefender Free Antivirus

Published on 2012-12-28 18:38:55

Bitdefender is a familiar name among antivirus makers, and the Romanian company has just released a new, free antivirus product – Bitdefender Free Antivirus. The “selling point” of this one seems to be simplicity and low use of syst

Windows 8 Modern UI Here To Stay

Published on 2012-12-27 18:51:23

If you don’t like the Windows 8 Modern (formerly “Metro”) interface, I have some bad news: it’s apparently not going anywhere anytime soon. Although Windows 8 is still quite new, pundits are already talking and speculating abo

Windows 8 Safe Mode

Published on 2012-12-26 19:22:25

I’m not exactly clear in my own mind why Microsoft seems to insist in doing things like this, but if you have tried to access Safe Mode with your Windows 8 computer (by pressing the F8 key at start time), … Continue reading →The pos

Google Calls Still Free

Published on 2012-12-26 18:32:42

For the past couple of years, US and Canadian Gmail users have had the ability to call domestic phone numbers from within Gmail, using the “Call Phone” option – for free. Google announced today via the official Gmail Blog that ̷

Merry Christmas!

Published on 2012-12-24 13:48:00

And if you don’t celebrate Christmas, please accept my best wishes for the holiday you do observe!The post Merry Christmas! appeared first on Old Goat Guide.

What Is A Phablet?

Published on 2012-12-23 15:56:59

Simply, a phablet is a nickname for a smartphone that is big enough to start looking more like a small tablet computer (phone+tablet=phablet). We have seen a steady increase of screen sizes and screen resolutions over the last couple of … Conti

Through The Ages

Published on 2012-12-23 08:47:48

The post Through The Ages appeared first on Old Goat Guide.

Oh, That Can’t Be Good…

Published on 2012-12-22 22:48:54

You probably don’t want to ever see this…

Don’t Always Believe Your Eyes On The Internet

Published on 2012-12-22 21:35:50

There was a time when photographic evidence of an event was a sort of gold standard, but over time it became clear to most of us that photos can be faked. In the age of consumer video, we normally assume … Continue reading →The post Don&#

New Year’s Resolutions For Your Computer

Published on 2012-12-22 15:04:57

Now that 2012 is winding down (and Dec 21st is safely over), many of us turn our thoughts to new beginnings and make new year’s resolutions – those well-intentioned, often broken “firm commitments” to ourselves to lose weight,

Online Accounts After Death

Published on 2012-12-22 12:20:50

Death and Taxes; the only two certainties. I can’t help with the taxes, but what happens to your Facebook and other online accounts after you pass on? Right now, the laws are trying to catch up with that concept, and … Continue reading &#

3 Reasons Why Linux Scares Newcomers

Published on 2012-12-22 10:42:03

Linux is a very successful, but largely unknown, operating system. Windows and Mac OS X are the other major (and much more recognized) operating systems for desktop and laptop computers these days. Although there have been versions of Linux available

Cyber Crime Doesn’t Pay

Published on 2012-12-21 09:48:25

Actually, Cyber Crime can pay pretty handsomely – that’s why there continues to be the worldwide cat-and-mouse game between the malware writers and scammers and the security folks. However, should you get caught, the penalties are general

The Great Firewall Of China Tightens Up

Published on 2012-12-20 20:58:51

The People’s Republic of China is a bit of a dichotomy in at least one noticeable way; while it appears to embrace a sort-of-capitalist economy, and can appear very modern in many aspects, it remains a secretive, controlled country. So …

Meds And Grapefruit Sometimes Don’t Mix

Published on 2012-12-20 19:19:29

As we get older, many of us may find ourselves taking daily medications to help keep things on track – for blood pressure, diabetes and so on. You may know that some medications should not be used with alcohol because … Continue reading &

Brian-Computer Interface For Robotic Arm

Published on 2012-12-19 19:24:44

A quadriplegic woman is able to control a robotic arm, not by the more traditional method of utilizing her remaining working muscles to trigger movement, but by thinking about it. Such are the advances of the so-called Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)

Diesel Cars Are Coming – Really!

Published on 2012-12-19 18:25:41

When most of us in the USA think of diesel-powered vehicles, I suspect it conjures up visions of stinky, noisy and clunky vehicles. However, our friends in Europe have been driving diesel cars for years – and loving it. More … Continue re

Nielsen, Arbitron Merger And Pandora

Published on 2012-12-18 21:17:38

Pandora is a well-established streaming music website, and as such needs to offer a platform that advertisers will want (and pay) to use. It’s fine tooting your own horn, but better if you can hook up with someone like Arbitron … Continue

The Transistor Turns 65

Published on 2012-12-16 16:32:17

The humble transistor turns 65 this weekend. The tiny device is the solid state descendant of the vacuum tube (or “valve” in the UK), and was used in radio and audio amplifiers. Now the equivalent of many millions of transistors … C

Solid State Drives; The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Published on 2012-12-16 14:46:39

The Solid State Drive or SSD is a pretty significant storage technology these days, but along with the sunshine, of course a little rain must fall. The SSD is a replacement for the traditional “hard drive” we have had for … Continue

Ray Kurzweil Joins Google

Published on 2012-12-16 13:11:03

Google is not playing around; over the last few years,  it has inserted itself into (seemingly) almost every area of technology, and now futurist Ray Kurzweil is joining their ranks as Chief Engineer. Ray who? He is the author and … Continue r

FCC Brings The Hammer Down On Noisy TV Ads

Published on 2012-12-14 10:17:33

Ah, my inner curmudgeon is quietly rejoicing because a persistent noise nuisance is finally getting a talking-to. The FCC has implemented tougher requirements for TV ads to maintain the same relative volume as the programming into which they are inse

Google – Now With Safe(r) Search

Published on 2012-12-13 21:17:26

If you have ever innocently searched the web for a photo of someone or something, you are probably aware that sometimes “saucy” images can pop up seemingly out of the blue. This behavior is something Google Image Search is trying …

Android Apps (In)Security

Published on 2012-12-11 21:37:32

Android Apps are getting quite a bit of attention lately because of the potential of installing apps carrying malware, or displaying other unwelcome behavior. The Apple App Store is a pretty strictly monitored source for the iPhone and iPad; the R

UK’s National Health Service Looks To The Web

Published on 2012-12-10 22:38:16

The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) is continuing a push to electronic health records by introducing CareInform, a web-based patient records access portal.  The system is intended to help the NHS meet specific performance goals.

Security Blunders Of 2012

Published on 2012-12-10 18:39:07

While it’s hardly light reading, or even very enjoyable (unless you revel in other people’s probable discomfort), this Network World review of some of the worst computer and network security blunders of 2012 is certainly eye-opening. More

Celebrating The GIF

Published on 2012-12-09 14:28:37

What’s a GIF? It’s a type of digital image format that has been around since 1987 – a long time in “computer years”. The original specification was limited to 256 colors, but it has a trick up it’s sleeve – &

Sony Portable Cassette Recorder To Say Goodbye

Published on 2012-12-09 09:42:09

Remember back in the day, making mix tapes with your trusty cassette recorder? A pretty tortuous process, but a labor of love for many. I was actually a little surprised to realize that Sony still makes portable cassette recorders, but … Contin

Public, Private Lives Blurring

Published on 2012-12-08 21:47:58

Apart from blatant “identity theft”, where someone effectively impersonates you in order to create lines of credit in your name or to drain your bank account, there is the rising privacy concern in the way that companies you do business &

Prepping Your Computer For Sale

Published on 2012-12-08 19:22:39

Selling or donating a computer is a process that should take a little bit of consideration. What you DON’T want to do is just uninstall your programs and delete your user folder. Nope, no good. The best method is a … Continue reading U

How To Build A Desktop Computer

Published on 2012-12-08 15:14:29

When you see a title like that, your first inclination may be to keep on going – but hold on! Building a computer can actually be an enjoyable process, and gives you bragging rights among friends and family. Why build … Continue reading &

Alzheimer’s “Brain Pacemaker” Trials

Published on 2012-12-08 10:04:41

A technique to try to slow the progression of early stage Alzheimer’s disease is being tried for the first time in the US, after some success in Canadian trials. The process involves using low voltages to provide “deep brain stimulation&#

Identity Theft And Health Care Data

Published on 2012-12-07 20:58:12

While there is a push to digitize patient health data and create EHRs, or Electronic Health Records, there is also a growing risk of such records being  tampered with, possibly resulting in identity theft. The expected benefits of EHRs are … C

Remembering The Ferranti Atlas

Published on 2012-12-07 20:24:09

No, not a Ferrari Atlas, a Ferranti Atlas – the UK’s first supercomputer. The short video below is pretty cool, and it’s astonishing how OLD stuff looks, just from 50 years ago (1962). However, the Atlas used transistors instead of

Finding Old Newspaper Articles Online

Published on 2012-12-07 19:43:09

If you have ever struggled with a Microfilm reader at the local library, you will appreciate the fact that you can now access a LOT of old newspaper and magazine articles online. These can be fascinating, even if you are … Continue reading U

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-12-07 19:27:50

As the year draws to an end, I’ll take the opportunity to pull together some of the 2012 Lists  links I have come across in the last week. Bit of a change of pace, eh? Most Popular How-To Guides Of … Continue reading →

Microsoft Patch Tuesday Coming Up

Published on 2012-12-07 08:46:34

The forthcoming “Patch Tuesday” – the second Tuesday of each month, when Microsoft releases security fixes for it’s products – has 7 lots of patches, 5 of which are rated critical. These affect most versions of Windows,

Verizon Patents A Nosy DVR

Published on 2012-12-06 18:16:45

How would you feel if your TV DVR or other set top box was “aware” of what was going on in your room – if you ware sleeping, cuddling, laughing – and use that to present targeted ads in the … Continue reading →

Nationwide Mutual, Allied Insurance Breached

Published on 2012-12-06 14:07:51

German security website H-Online reports: The US insurance company Nationwide Mutual has revealed that its network, which it shares with Allied Insurance, was attacked on 3 October and that the attackers stole personal information from their network

Windows 8 Start Menu “Fixes”

Published on 2012-12-05 22:01:01

As you may know, the latest version of Windows – Windows 8 – does away with the “traditional” Start Menu. Instead, there is a Start Screen with tile-like launchers for the various programs or apps. There is still a Windows 

Pope And POTUS Hit Twitter

Published on 2012-12-05 18:25:40

His Holiness the Pope now has a Twitter account – let that one sink in for a moment. Pope Benedict XVI joined the ranks of the Twitter faithful as @pontifex. Our own President Of The United States is well-known as … Continue reading ͛

Microsoft Surface RT Struggling So Far

Published on 2012-12-05 13:05:17

The Microsoft Surface tablet device is reportedly struggling after it’s launch. Microsoft cut the initial orders for the product by half, and a new estimate by Boston brokerage firm Detwiler Fenton says about 1 million Surface tablets will have

Ebony Magazine Online Archives

Published on 2012-12-05 11:52:10

Back issues of Ebony Magazine, probably the premiere US magazine aimed at African Americans, is freely available from Google Books – dating back to the 1950′s. Quite a resource for those interested in all aspects of a large minority of &#

Zero Net Energy Home Technology

Published on 2012-12-05 09:13:01

If buildings are the single largest consumer of fossil fuel (and the gentleman in the video below states that they are), then it makes sense to try to make them as efficient as practically possible, in terms of heating and … Continue reading &#

Video Recording Your Peeps

Published on 2012-12-05 08:30:57

Video recordings of family members can be a precious thing; it’s something I wish I had done much more of in hindsight. To be able to see and hear distant or departed loved ones again can comforting, and even funny. … Continue reading 

Computer Security 2013 – A Bit Dodgy

Published on 2012-12-05 07:46:47

Kaspersky, like a few other security products companies, produces an annual look at “thing to come” in the realm of computer security, privacy and so on. Their 2013 forecast is out, and it sounds like more of the same, unfortunately; R

Windows RT – One Good Thing

Published on 2012-12-04 19:49:05

The Microsoft Surface computers that have been available so far have been running Windows RT, which is the “tablet version” of Windows 8. We won’t get a Surface device running Windows 8 until the Surface Pro models are made availabl

Don’t Brag About Your Bank Robbery On YouTube

Published on 2012-12-04 18:18:22

The above headline would seem to be obvious to most people, but I think we have all seen enough examples of folk doing really dumb things in a public forum. I have not figured it out myself; I mean, I … Continue reading →

Android Smartphones Make Tempting Malware Target

Published on 2012-12-04 11:24:13

I suspect most smartphone users don’t think about malware infecting their phones. “It’s just a phone!” they’d say “Phones don’t get viruses – computers do.” Actually, smartphones are more computer

FIPEL Bulb On Deck

Published on 2012-12-03 20:48:01

A new type of bulb may start to show up next year thanks to the efforts of some university researchers at Wake Forest. It’s the Field-Induced Polymer Electroluminescent, or FIPEL, bulb -  with a more pleasing color of light than … Contin

Nurses, Smartphones And BYOD

Published on 2012-12-03 18:40:04

A new report from Spyglass Consulting Group shows two thirds of hospitals surveyed indicate their nurses use their own mobile devices such to augment what may be available from the hospital IT department. In the business world, this trend is …

Rear Projection TVs Finally End Production

Published on 2012-12-03 07:27:52

In the end of another era, the first type of really BIG screen TV’s, the rear projection sets, are no more. Mitsubishi is ending production because of continuing competition from flat screen sets, and they were the last company still … Co

Web Of Trust – A Useful Addon

Published on 2012-12-02 12:29:01

Web Of Trust (WOT) is a simple enough idea; it’s a free web browser addon that warns you about known bad sites, before you go to them – so you can surf more safely. A “bad site” would be one … Continue reading →

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2012-12-02 11:35:27

Q - What is “nomophobia”? A - the fear of losing or being unable to use a cellphone (no kidding).

Text Messaging Turns 20 Years Old

Published on 2012-12-02 10:10:41

Text messaging has been around for 20 years now. SMS (Short Message Service) – aka texting – has been a lucrative feature for telecom providers, and a popular one for mobile phone users – some of whom have the creaky … Continu

Older Audio Technology Still Sounds Good

Published on 2012-12-02 09:43:24

When the digital storage and playback of music first became popular with the CD, there was considerable resistance among audiophiles who felt that the new technology was inferior at performing it’s primary task – faithfully reproducing so

Online Prices Change Fast, And Often

Published on 2012-12-01 23:57:43

Comparison shopping seems much easier with the availability of online stores and websites as the increasing popularity of Cyber Monday has shown, with over a billion dollars in sales this year. However, it also allows for rapid price adjustments on &

Windows XP Support Ending

Published on 2012-12-01 11:06:02

Windows XP has been around for a LONG time, particularly for a computer operating system. There are still about half a billion computers running this creaky operating system, for various reasons – legacy software that requires it, people have a

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-12-01 09:56:46

Take a quick trip with me again around the World Wide Web, as I pull together some links that caught my eye this past week; funny, silly, or just kinda cool… Head-mounted display projects directly onto the retina – kinda … Continue

Staples Easy 3D Is Coming

Published on 2012-11-30 19:18:44

That Staples Easy Button you see in their commercials just got considerably more interesting. Staples has partnered with Mcor Technologies to begin offering Staples Easy 3D, a service you can use to produce physical items from computer files by means

2014 Ford Fiesta Brings A Tiny Touch Of Europe

Published on 2012-11-30 11:50:06

The 2014 Ford Fiesta has a 1-liter 3 cylinder engine, which may initially sound more like something you would find on a ride-on lawnmower than anything else. However, this highly tweaked motor is already being used in Europe to great … Continue

Happy 40th Birthday, Pong!

Published on 2012-11-29 12:04:41

If you are of a certain age, you can probably recall the first time you saw or played the first real video arcade game, Pong, from Atari. Looking back across the years, it’s pretty uninspiring, but  at the time it … Continue reading U

Boomers And Their Mobile Phones

Published on 2012-11-28 20:10:29

It’s been a while since cell-phone obsession was something that separated the middle-aged from the young. The Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project reports that more than 85% of adults age 50 to 64 now own mobile phones, …

Gmail, Now With HUGE Attachments

Published on 2012-11-28 19:22:52

Google is rolling out a feature where you can send email attachments up to 10GB in size. That’s Ten Gigabytes, not 10MB (which is a fairly big attachment by traditional email account standards). 10MB is a couple of mp3 files, … Continue r

Telehealth, Telemedicine On The Rise

Published on 2012-11-28 18:56:32

Telehealth used to be something few people knew about, or understood. Today, it is fast taking its place as a major aspect of healthcare, according to experts at the National eHealth Collaborative’s Technology Crossroads Conference in Washingto

Driving Miss Siri

Published on 2012-11-27 19:32:10

Okay, okay, Apple’s Siri personal digital assistant isn’t a female, and in other countries Siri has a male voice – but I live in the US, and in this case we are considering the US version being put in a … Continue reading U

Now THAT’s A Kitchen Computer!

Published on 2012-11-26 18:55:01

Never mind asking Siri for a recipe on your Apple iPhone or tapping the screen of your Google Nexus for inspiration; no, what you need – or at least what Neiman Marcus thought you needed back in 1969 – was … Continue reading →

There’s A Robot For That!

Published on 2012-11-25 18:10:20

I am often surprised to find that “there’s an app for that” – usually something that seems trivial on non-mainstream, but that someone has taken the time to write software to address it. We may be starting to push beyond ̷

Even Stodgy Boomers Embrace Inspiring Technology

Published on 2012-11-25 10:22:19

Even as someone who works in the technology arena, I sometimes find a natural reticence to fully embrace new things (like the smartphone – I only got one a few months ago). Tweeting and Facebooking can seem frivolous and something … Conti

‘Adjust Your Privacy’ Helps Do Just That

Published on 2012-11-25 08:09:40

If you are wary of how much of a “footprint” you have on the Internet, a good place to start checking is AdjustYourPrivacy. You can search for yourself using a collection of links to “people finder” web sites. If you … C

What Is Malware?

Published on 2012-11-25 07:58:17

When you see the term “malware” with regard to computers, what do you understand it to mean? In this blog and in general usage, the term refers to “malevolent software” – a kind of computer software or app that causes &#

Anitivirus Software Comparisons

Published on 2012-11-24 12:25:11

Antivirus software is all the same, right? Not really; you have both paid and free products, individual AV software or a “suite” of software, which would include other features – it can get a bit confusing. Assuming you have a ̷

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-11-24 11:19:49

Another look around the web for items of interest, these caught my eye over the past week… World Inversed – what if the land masses were the oceans? Cinemagraphs – fancy animated gifs, kinda like Harry Potter “magic” pho

Samsung Galaxy Smart Camera Thingy

Published on 2012-11-24 10:03:11

The Samsung Digital Camera is a sort of crossover or hybrid of a nice digital camera with a smartphone like display interface and both WiFi and 4G connectivity. It’s fairly expensive at $500, and then you would pay a small … Continue read

Using Apps To Reel In Customers

Published on 2012-11-23 18:58:16

Brick-and-mortar retailers are taking to using apps and social media to try to pry away their customers from the siren call of online stores. The apps might show you the best parking spots, the locations of The Good Stuff within … Continue read

Augmented Reality Concepts Piling Up

Published on 2012-11-23 14:34:37

Google’s Project Glass is probably the best known of the “augmented reality” displays being worked on. The basic concept of augmented reality goes something like this: you put on a head mounted device of some kind (Google uses a eye

Video Sucking Up Mobile Data Traffic

Published on 2012-11-23 11:18:55

A report from telecommunications equipment and services provider Ericcson, points to a dramatic trend that really should surprise no-one: mobile data traffic is estimated to have doubled since the same time last year. The main source of all this data

Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Exchanges

Published on 2012-11-23 10:59:04

With the re-election of President Obama, the Affordable Care Act is back on track for being carried out in 2014. Central to its success will be the creation of health-insurance exchanges in each state. Beneficiaries will be able to go … Continu

Safer Holiday Shopping Online

Published on 2012-11-23 09:56:36

It’s that time of the year again, when savvy shoppers like yourself head to your favorite online retailers to avoid the ridiculous shenanigans and flesh-pressing of Black Friday. But just because you know enough to buy online doesn’t mean

Happy Thanksgiving!

Published on 2012-11-22 17:15:27

For those of you in the USA, may I wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving holiday.

Boomers Like New Technology

Published on 2012-11-21 17:54:40

Boomers’ enthusiasm to consume new technology is growing and changing as fast as the field of new products available. In fact, a 2012 Forrester Research technology survey found 78 percent are online, and of those, 54 percent own laptops. Tablet 

Gifting A Cell Phone

Published on 2012-11-21 07:25:32

With the Holidays fast approaching, thoughts turn to gifts for family and friends. If you are considering gifting a cell phone (either a basic model, or a smart phone like an iPhone or Android device), bear in mind that you … Continue reading &

Seasonal Scams On The Way

Published on 2012-11-20 18:38:29

Ah, the Holidays; a time for family, friends – and online scams. US-CERT – the United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team – has issued a timely warning for all of us to be alert: In the past, US-CERT has received … Contin

Has Mars Rover Curiosity Found Poop?

Published on 2012-11-20 16:18:10

There is a lot of interest in the announcement that the Mars rover Curiosity has discovered something on or in the Martian surface. While NASA coyly refuses to say what they think it is until they can verify it, they … Continue reading →

Pew study: Parents of teens online worry about ads, strangers

Published on 2012-11-20 10:04:04

Pew Internet Project surveys parents to find out what concerns them most about their children being online and using social networks. Advertisers top their list.

Australia Tries Teleworking For Government Workers

Published on 2012-11-20 07:50:40

The first trials of teleworking by Australian government agencies, announced last week as part of a push to get 12 per cent of employees working from home by 2020, will not require any new security measures and will rely on … Continue reading &

AC/DC On iTunes At Last

Published on 2012-11-20 07:45:29

For those iTunes users who like a bit of the hard stuff (music wise), they can rest a little easier now that AC/DC has relented and allowed their music catalog to be purchased via Apple’s media platform. The announcement doesn’t … Conti

Boomers And The Wired Home

Published on 2012-11-19 19:10:13

While at his home in Wellesley, Richard Kasper sometimes wonders whether he forgot something at his summer residence on Cape Cod. Did he turn the thermostat down? Leave too many lights on? Is the garage door open? Now Kasper can … Continue read

Twitter As The New “Police Scanner”

Published on 2012-11-19 18:53:49

If you have ever listened to a police scanner you’ll know it is mostly kinda boring, but can also be exciting and sometimes harrowing. Scanners can pick up the radio conversations between police cruisers, fire trucks, EMS and their respective &

Windows 8 May Boost Apple Sales

Published on 2012-11-18 19:53:32

If a new survey is to be believed, Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system may be potentially sending quite a few users over to Apple products. The antivirus company Avast surveyed more than 100,000 Windows users, people using Windows XP, Vista

Facebook Implementing HTTPS All The Time

Published on 2012-11-18 18:19:25

Following up on a promise from a couple of years ago, Facebook is implementing HTTPS connections all the time to all it’s users – previously, this was an option found in the account settings. There may be some slight slowdown … Cont

Black Friday Shopping – Apps For That!

Published on 2012-11-18 10:03:04

The 2012 Holiday shopping season is about to go into full swing as Black Friday approaches. To get ready this year,  it’s time to load up your smartphone with some special Black Friday apps. Start out with the Black Friday … Continue reading

Big Launcher Android App

Published on 2012-11-17 21:41:52

Because of the compact size of most smartphone screens, it can be difficult for older boomers or for those with vision impairments to navigate comfortably; as you might guess – there’s an app for that. Big Launcher works on devices …

Free Windows 8 Video Tutorials Online

Published on 2012-11-17 19:09:47

Lynda.com, a well-known video training site, is allowing free access to a Windows 8 introductory series of video tutorials through November 23rd – so if you are quick, you can get some pointers to help you get started with your … Continue

When Google Search Suggestions Goes Nutty

Published on 2012-11-17 18:32:03

As you have no doubt noticed, the Google search engine (and indeed some other search sites) will offer search suggestions based upon what you start typing. It bases this upon previous searches you may have made recently, your geographic location R

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-11-17 18:01:21

Another quick selection of a few links that caught my interest over the past week: Albion Basin, Utah 360 Degree View – umm, wow! Cats Don’t Care – yes, they are cat pictures – so sue me! Mac Propaganda At … Continue rea

Anonymous targets Israeli Web sites in protest over Gaza

Published on 2012-11-17 11:58:14

The hacking collective knocks the Bank of Jerusalem offline and attacks the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Anonymous claims nearly 700 sites have been affected.

SANS Ouch! Nov 2012 – Two-Factor Authentication

Published on 2012-11-16 18:26:57

The SANS Institute publishes monthly newsletters on security-related topics, presented in a user-friendly manner. This month’s edition discusses what two-factor authentication is, why people should use it, and how it works: English Version (PDF fil

Black Friday Deals Trickling Out

Published on 2012-11-15 21:23:29

‘Tis the season, and Black Friday is looming. It’s been a little hit-or-miss the past few years, with somewhat anemic deals at times, but it’s always interesting to pour over the ad sheets as they come out – so here … Co

Remember The Kingston Trio?

Published on 2012-11-15 20:12:16

Stepping away from computers and stuff for a bit, fellow boomers may remember the Kingston Trio – who brought a more “pop” version of folk music to the American consciousness in the late 50′s and early 60′s. Less “

A Budget SSD Under $100?

Published on 2012-11-14 20:13:05

A Solid State Drive (SSD) can be a great upgrade for an existing computer; rather than buying a new system, replacing the drive where your operating system resides can give enough of a performance increase to put off splashing on … Continue rea

Windows Video Editing Software

Published on 2012-11-13 21:49:29

One thing that has frustrated me for some time about Windows is the lack of a competent freeware video editor. Even though I don’t do a lot of video work, I do have occasion to edit things from time to … Continue reading →

Petraeus Was An Amateur – Being Sneaky Online

Published on 2012-11-13 18:52:11

Some details of the recent scandal concerning ex-CIA Director David Petraeus are coming to light, including a technique for passing email message – basically using a shared Gmail account and just reading each other’s draft emails, instead

Tesla Model S 2013 Motor Trend Car Of The Year

Published on 2012-11-12 21:20:31

For those us who point and smirk at electric vehicles (EVs), prepare to be both enlightened and chagrined. For the first time in it’s 60+ year history, Motor Trend magazine has awarded it’s rather prestigious Car Of The Year award …

How About IE 10 For Windows 7?

Published on 2012-11-12 19:05:21

As you may know, Windows 8 comes with a new version of Internet Explorer, IE 10. It was made clear some time ago that Windows XP users were “stuck” at IE 8, while Windows 7 users have IE 9. Well, … Continue reading →

Veteran’s Day 2012

Published on 2012-11-11 11:05:00

Presidential Proclamation for Veteran’s Day 2012

Voting By Smartphone?

Published on 2012-11-11 10:54:39

A thought-provoking article in the NY Times ask a question that probably seems very obvious if you stop to think about it – why not allow US citizens the option of voting by smartphone? It would surely increase voter participation, … Cont

Older Computer Users

Published on 2012-11-10 15:58:22

Older people are getting online these days; grandma and grandpa are starting to take the plunge, if only to keep tabs on the grand kids – who just don’t seem to write anymore. In addition to “easier to use” traditional …

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-11-10 15:20:34

Another week, another collection of items form around the ‘web; some old, some new, but hopefully all of interest. RendeZook’s Stunt In Battlefield 3 – big Youtube hit. Worth a chuckle. Why Liking Facebook Virals Make Scammers Rich

Patch Tuesday – Windows 8 Style!

Published on 2012-11-10 09:55:57

Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday - the second Tuesday of each month – is just around the corner, and this time Windows 8 has some patches too. This coming up round of security fixes has several rated “critical”, including some for b

Accountkiller Helps Get You Off The Grid

Published on 2012-11-09 19:44:11

There may be a time when you realize you are on a gazillion different sites, and just want to step back and tune out a bit – however, many sites don’t make it particularly easy to retire your account and … Continue reading →

Australia Reverses On Internet Filter

Published on 2012-11-09 19:23:53

Australia has been planning for several years to implement a mandatory Internet content filter – something that always surprised me, as I thought of Australians as a kind of devil-may-care bunch. Now, Communication Minister Stephen Conroy has a

Microsoft English-Mandarin Realtime Translation

Published on 2012-11-08 21:55:35

We are still a long way from a Star Trek-style “universal translator”, but big strides have been made in speech recognition and ultimately, translation from one language to another. If you stop and think for a moment, the nuances of ̷

Don’t Be Prey For Mobile Device Thieves

Published on 2012-11-07 23:21:49

If you own a laptop, smartphone, etc. you should be aware that there is software that can help you if your device is lost or stolen. One such product is Prey, available for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices. Prey … Continue reading →

Picks And Pans For 11/8/2012

Published on 2012-11-07 21:57:50

Picks – The American public, for turning out and exercising the right to vote! Pans – The US Political machine, for making the process such an ugly chore.

Chrome Support For “Do Not Track” Coming

Published on 2012-11-06 19:21:45

Google’s Chrome browser has finally added support for “do not track”, at least to it’s developer builds – so a generally-available version with this feature should be with us soon. Other browsers already have this and Ch

Mozilla Firefox 17 To Force HTTPS

Published on 2012-11-04 13:24:30

The next version of the Mozilla Firefox browser will include a feature to force secure (HTTPS) connections to certain listed sites. Google’s Chrome browser currently forces secure connections to Google.com domains (Gmail, etc), and some others.

eBooks Outselling Hardcover Books

Published on 2012-11-04 12:30:14

The onslaught of eReaders and Tablets is bringing about a sea change in publishing. Not only are magazines such as Newsweek starting to transition to digital only editions, but for the first time hardcover books sales in the US were … Continue

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-11-03 17:29:50

Let me share some links again that caught my eye as I wandered the web in the past week or so… How To Play DVDs On Windows 8 – because you can’t do it out of the box DOE Activates … Continue reading →

A LAMP To Light Up The Web

Published on 2012-11-03 09:11:16

Websites can be a lot like the swan on the lake; above the surface, the swan glides serenely, but underwater the webbed feet are furiously churning away to provide forward motion. All we usually see is the glossy surface of … Continue reading &

The Three Laws Of Robotics

Published on 2012-11-02 23:03:56

Prolific author and scientist Isaac Asimov devised the Three Laws Of Robotics as part of his much-lauded series of “Robot” novels and short stories. The laws are integral to the robot’s logical brain and cannot be broken, although t

Got Malware? Could Be…

Published on 2012-11-02 21:21:11

A new survey from network security firm Kindsight showed that 13% of home networks in Noerth America are infected with malware (virues, trojans, spyware). These are often botnets of some kind, and can result in (at the very least) bandwidth-gobbling

IBM’s Watson Computer Goes To School

Published on 2012-10-30 20:48:04

Remember when IBM’s Watson supercomputer made a splash on the TV game show Jeopardy? It was a publicity bonanza for the IBM team, and a great way to raise public awareness of what computers can be capable of. It has … Continue reading →

Smartphones Are From Mars, Tablets From Venus

Published on 2012-10-30 19:00:18

A new survey by Flurry shows some noticeable diversity between smartphone and tablet users; smartphone users tend to be younger and male, while tablet users trend older and more female (although the gender difference for tablets is about 50-50). Flurry … Continue reading →

Linux: The Practical Reality

Published on 2012-10-28 11:20:44

Linux is probably one of the better-kept secrets as far as computer operating systems are concerned. Most Windows PC users have likely never heard of it, or if they have overheard the word “Linux”, they don’t really have any frame … Continue reading →

Using A Smartphone Camera To Measure Heart Rate

Published on 2012-10-27 20:56:12

Strange as it may sound, an app has been developed that can measure heart rate by using only the smartphone camera. Resting heart rate can be a meaningful predictor of future health, and by regularly using something like the Cardio … Continue reading →

Picks And Pans For 10/27/2012

Published on 2012-10-27 16:27:08

Pick – Corning Gorilla Glass – now on 1 billion devices Pan – The State of South Carolina, who suffered a big personal data breach

Our Future Digital Memories

Published on 2012-10-27 12:01:09

Preserving memories seems to be a very important part of the human condition. From ancient times, the traditional method is to tell stories, to pass on history and wisdom to subsequent generations. Later came the written word, and still later, … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-10-27 09:14:01

Every week for the past year or so, I have been putting together a short collection of links that piqued my interest, in the hope that it will do the same for you. So, here is this week’s collection of … Continue reading →

SSN Shopping Spree In South Carolina

Published on 2012-10-26 20:53:35

The US Social Security Number or SSN is the coin of the realm in the world of identity theft; with a valid SSN and a few other pieces of information, you can go to town and open bogus accounts and … Continue reading →

Passwords – I Think We Can Do Better

Published on 2012-10-24 19:40:27

If you are using “password” as you password, it does not make you a miserable human being, but you are probably being awfully trusting. I mean, do you really think that particularly combination of letters can’t be easily guessed, or … Continue reading →

Microsoft Surface And Windows RT

Published on 2012-10-24 19:19:18

Well, the early reviews are in on the Microsoft Surface tablet. The Surface is the tablet you see in the TV ads with the “click on” keyboard. This is Microsoft’s own device, and the only version available so far is … Continue reading →

Apple Unveils New Stuff

Published on 2012-10-23 18:44:57

Apple trotted out quite a few items at their press junket earlier today, and not just the much talked about iPad Mini – the smaller format version of the iPad. I might be called a hater (I’m really not), but … Continue reading →

UPEK Fingerprint Login Security Not So Hot

Published on 2012-10-22 22:03:13

A very widely used fingerprint login technology, available on a wide range of laptop models from major manufacturers, is apparently pretty useless as far as keeping your login information away from prying eyes. Your Windows login allows the bad guys … Continue reading →

Many Android Apps Have Wonky SSL

Published on 2012-10-22 07:49:16

A study by German researchers revealed that more than 1,000 of the Android apps in the official Google Play Store had problems with the implementation of SSL encryption, making them potentially vulnerable to “man-in-the-middle” attacks. MITM is where a security … Continue reading →

Windows 8 – A Ball Of Confusion?

Published on 2012-10-21 16:50:13

So, you have decided to treat yourself a new computing device with Windows 8, but when you actually start looking into it you realize there are a LOT of choices both in hardware and software configurations. So much so, that … Continue reading →

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2012-10-21 15:16:24

Q – For those of you of a certain age, what is this mystery object? A – It’s an 8-track audiotape cartridge. Very popular in cars as an another option to the car radio, and the grandfather of our modern … Continue reading →

3 Tablets For Kids

Published on 2012-10-21 09:14:24

If you are thinking about getting a tablet computer for a child or grandchild this holiday season, you do have quite a few choices. Of course, there will always be the debate of whether to just let kids be kids … Continue reading →

Google: A Peek Behind The Curtain

Published on 2012-10-20 21:45:56

Google has a lot of hardware undergirding it’s massive operations, spread over multiple data centers. They historically don’t make a big deal about it, but here we have a look behind the curtain, so to speak, at one of the … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-10-19 22:35:01

Another week under the bridge and some more links that caught my eye; either interesting or just silly, submitted for your approval… Leap Motion Controller – short video on this interesting technology Would You Recognize Yourself With Completely Symmetrical Face? … Continue reading →

Free Online (Cloud) Backup Services Rated

Published on 2012-10-19 08:14:27

Gizmo’s Freeware, as the name suggests, is a site where freeware (software available free of financial cost) is reviewed. Not only is it a good resource for us tightwads, but the lists are revisited and updated periodically – so you … Continue reading →

Installing Windows 8 Apps

Published on 2012-10-18 18:24:14

So it’s a week or so from now and you bring home your new Windows 8 computer or tablet – how do you install Windows Store “Apps” on it? Windows RT (the version on Surface and other tablet devices) uses … Continue reading →

Saving Trees, Losing Jobs, Moving On

Published on 2012-10-18 13:38:27

The announcement that Newsweek magazine will end it’s 80-year old “dead tree” edition and move to a digital-only early next year should not really surprise anyone – it may alarm some of us, yes, but not surprise anyone. Printing a … Continue reading →

Internet Explorer 10 Coming To Windows 7

Published on 2012-10-17 18:41:41

Microsoft announced this afternoon that Internet Explorer 10 web browser will be coming to Windows 7. There will be a preview version mid-November, presumably followed by a full release. IE 10 is the version of Internet Explorer shipping with Windows … Continue reading →

Malware In Medical Equipment A Growing Problem

Published on 2012-10-17 11:44:04

Computers and viruses are a bad mix; computers running medical equipment and viruses are a horrible mix, but apparently it’s a growing problem. It’s not so  much that the malware is disrupting the medical equipment directly, but rather impacting the … Continue reading →

A Quick Facebook Privacy Check

Published on 2012-10-16 21:08:03

Facebook has a lot of rather involved settings for your privacy, so much so that it’s hard to know what’s going on most of the time. As a quick check, try this site, Privacy Check; you login with your FB … Continue reading →

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2012-10-15 21:50:25

Q – What was Google called, before it was became “Google”? A – “BackRub” was the first version of the search engine developed by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google’s co-founders. Google was incorporated in September 1998.

Oldgoat Elsewhere

Published on 2012-10-14 20:02:52

A bit of self-promotion – some other places you can find my pearls of wisdom… My Facebook page has this blog content, plus other items relating to boomers and seniors. I am also on Twitter, click for my Twitter feed … Continue reading →

Some Perspective On Apple iPhone 5 Issues

Published on 2012-10-14 10:44:04

Saturday Night Live actually doing a nice snippy piece of satire here…

“Big Launcher” For Android Devices

Published on 2012-10-14 08:39:21

The “Launcher” in this context means the main screen that you see when you unlock your Android smartphone. If you are part of the bifocal brigade, as I am, you may find the small fonts and icons a bit of … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-10-13 22:32:47

Time for another small, but hopefully interesting (or at least entertaining) collection of items that caught my eye over the past week as I wandered the world wide web…and a bit more “geeky” this week for some reason. Apple Patent … Continue reading →

Ransomware – Holding Your PC Hostage

Published on 2012-10-13 15:52:39

Ransomware – a type of computer malware or virus – is particularly troublesome, as it attempt to extort money from the victim. The scenario goes like this: you are infected via an email or nasty website, and your computer is … Continue reading →

2012 Election Spam Malware Deluge

Published on 2012-10-13 09:30:18

You have probably noticed a big increase in emails related to the US 2012 Presidential Election; unsurprisingly perhaps, there is an increasing amount of malware in the mix. The bad guys love to use the latest hot topic in order … Continue reading →

3 Really Useful Computer Help Sites

Published on 2012-10-12 21:15:52

I have worked with electronics and computers for longer than I care to dwell on, and I still get regularly baffled. That’s part of the challenge, though – even if there are days you may not particularly want to be … Continue reading →

HTTPS Everywhere

Published on 2012-10-11 21:35:49

HTTPS Everywhere is a plug-in for both the Firefox and Chrome web browsers. As you may know, sites like banks can provide a special kind of connection to their websites, the address of which starts with “https://” instead of the … Continue reading →

Mac Antivirus Products

Published on 2012-10-11 19:37:52

Mac users probably sigh when the subject of viruses and malware comes up. For a long time, the modern line of Macs running the OS X operating system were proudly hailed as not subject to the myriad viruses that have … Continue reading →

Possible Sprint Buyout May Mean Cheaper Rates

Published on 2012-10-11 18:22:32

Japanese company Softbank may be looking to buy 3rd place US telecom company Sprint. The significance of this move, over and above the purchase itself, is that it could loosen the grip of the tag team of Verizon and AT&T … Continue reading →

Windows 8 – Important Updates Already

Published on 2012-10-10 21:05:41

Windows 8 was released to manufacturing on August 1st, and the official launch date in October 26th. Typically, you would expect to see some updates after the launch as part of “Patch Tuesday”, to bring the new operating system “up … Continue reading →

The Web Browser Scorecard

Published on 2012-10-10 19:28:13

Some major web browsers are updated at an almost frantic pace, primarily Google’s Chrome and Mozilla’s Firefox. Security fixes are usually high on the list of reasons to keep up with the current version, so it makes sense to allow … Continue reading →

Boomers Bustin’ Out Online

Published on 2012-10-10 19:08:07

As has been stated many times, baby boomers are a huge and growing segment of the population – it’s just math, folks. Boomers have a perhaps surprising influence on technology – around 41 % of Apple customers are baby boomers … Continue reading →

Passwords After You Pass On

Published on 2012-10-09 19:17:36

If you are involved in even a small amount of web activity, you will have some usernames and passwords that you need to keep track of. So, if you were to pass on, can your spouse or partner still access … Continue reading →

The New iPad Mini – Exclusive

Published on 2012-10-08 18:26:43

The blogosphere is going pretty nutty with rumors and speculation on the new so-called  “iPad mini” – the smaller version of the very popular iPad (currently on version 3). As you may know, the iPad itself has a screen size … Continue reading →

Windows 8 – Several Versions

Published on 2012-10-08 14:47:26

Windows 8 is coming, just like Christmas and Tax Day. October 26th is the official launch, although apparently you can buy a new PC with it already on HSN. So you go to the computer store and ask for Windows … Continue reading →

Smartphone As Personal Health Monitor

Published on 2012-10-08 12:09:05

After a short time with a smartphone, you may come to rely upon it as your go-to device – phone, appointment book, entertainment; how about personal health monitor? There are already a lot of apps you can use to track … Continue reading →

3M Has A New Twist On A Portable TV

Published on 2012-10-08 09:13:07

Back in the day when over-the-air TV ruled, there were quite a few portable TV sets – ones you could take to a picnic or a tailgate party. Now 3M has come up with a new take on a portable … Continue reading →

Online Identity Risk Calculator

Published on 2012-10-08 08:02:59

This online identity risk calculator from EMC and RSA – RSA is the security arm of EMC, who is a major handler of “big data”. You simply answer some general questions about your online behavior (how often do you use … Continue reading →

SANS Ouch! Oct 2012 – Lost Smartphone

Published on 2012-10-07 16:55:36

The SANS Institute publishes monthly newsletters on security-related topics, presented in a user-friendly manner. This month’s edition discusses what to do if your smartphone is lost or stolen: English Version (PDF file) Translated Versions & Archives

Tracking The Blood Supply With RFID

Published on 2012-10-07 16:39:14

The medical industry loves technology; not only can it often save them (and hopefully their patients) time and money, but it can also be a great marketing advantage if your facility has X, Y and Z technologies, when the other … Continue reading →

Bored…Tubby…Mild

Published on 2012-10-07 15:30:14

Just for fun…

Microsoft Patch Tuesday Ahoy

Published on 2012-10-07 12:23:31

The next Microsoft Patch Tuesday – on October 9th – will have several important updates and one critical one. The critical one pertains to a vulnerability in Microsoft Word 2010.  As always, please make sure your Windows Updates is set to … Continue reading →

Uninstalling Programs From Windows

Published on 2012-10-07 11:25:05

After a recent look at the Recycle Bin on our home computer (I always look before emptying), it occurred to me  that my better half (by far the better half) was deleting shortcuts to some old games that she actually … Continue reading →

Windows PC Cleanup: Easy As 1,2,3

Published on 2012-10-07 09:51:43

With everyday use, Microsoft Windows can generate a lot of temporary files, and your disk drive can shuffle around a lot of pieces of data. Over time, this can tend to gum up the works, and so cleaning things up … Continue reading →

T-Mobile Aquiring MetroPCS

Published on 2012-10-06 20:46:14

The German-owned T-Mobile phone carrier is moving to acquire smaller MetroPCS, subject to the usual approvals and scrutiny. While it makes sense on some level for the number 4 and 5 US mobile telecommunication networks to merge for competitive reasons, … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-10-06 17:34:51

Another week gone already, and I have another collection of links to items that caught my interest – and will hopefully have the same effect on you… Google Logos – someone took the time to collect a whole bunch of … Continue reading →

Skype Password Scam

Published on 2012-10-06 12:18:58

As you may know, many online services will notify you when you change your password as a security measure. Facebook, Gmail and so on do this for example. A rather scummy scam going around at the moment sends an email … Continue reading →

Virtually There: Roaming The World Online

Published on 2012-10-06 11:49:43

Internet access can be very liberating, in that you can explore all kinds of places with a few clicks or taps – not physically, of course – we have not got that far yet – but virtually. It’s more than … Continue reading →

A Problem With Electric Cars

Published on 2012-10-06 09:22:47

There is a problem with electric cars, and it’s not the short range many of them still have. The problem is in the “green-ness” of the manufacturing process. A Norwegian study found that current production methods are working against the … Continue reading →

FBI Virus Scam Doing The Rounds

Published on 2012-10-04 19:43:12

I got a head’s up on this from some Facebook friends here in Ohio: The Cincinnati [Ohio] office of the FBI issued a warning Thursday about a computer virus being used to extort money from area residents. The virus is … Continue reading →

Help Me, System Restore!

Published on 2012-10-04 19:27:47

You may not be aware of it, but Microsoft Windows has provided a feature called “System Restore” for quite a few years now, and under some circumstances it can help you get our of a sticky situation when Windows starts … Continue reading →

WiFi LED Light Bulbs Look Pretty Slick

Published on 2012-10-03 22:16:44

Something that certainly never occurred to me before is the idea of making light bulbs that can be controlled via a wireless network and a smartphone app. The video below gives a good idea of what to expect from this … Continue reading →

Bigger Smartphone Fonts, Happy Old Eyes

Published on 2012-10-03 17:48:45

For those of us with tired old eyes, smartphone fonts can be teeny-tiny – so how to make them bigger, and avoid tiring eye-scrunching? Both Apple’s iOS and Android allow you to make changes relatively simply: Apple iOS Android

Smartphones And Telemedicine

Published on 2012-10-03 10:46:51

A study funded by the Arizona Department of Health Services gives a thumbs up on the use of smartphones as a means of collecting and transmitting medical data for neurological patients in telemedicine situations. Telemedicine describes where medical consultations can … Continue reading →

MySpace Back From Beyond

Published on 2012-10-02 11:56:03

At the time of year when we see and hear about zombies and other undead things trolling around looking for candy, it’s perhaps appropriate that MySpace – that old social media chestnut – is on it’s way back. Under the … Continue reading →

Updates, Updates, Updates

Published on 2012-10-01 18:55:38

If you have read only a few posts on this site, you’ll know I am always yapping about updates, both to your operating systems and to the other pieces of software that support it. What’s the big deal, you may … Continue reading →

Ultrabooks A Mystery To Many

Published on 2012-10-01 15:08:31

The term Ultrabook is apparently not resonating with consumers and sales forecasts have been revised downwards – by half. The devices tend to be expensive too, but the main issue seems to be a lack of awareness of what they … Continue reading →

How To Recover Deleted Files In Windows

Published on 2012-09-30 16:09:56

We have all done it – detected a file or folder we did not mean to. With Microsoft Windows (and most other desktop operating systems), you can get these “deleted” files back from the Recycle Bin, or it’s equivalent. However, … Continue reading →

There Are Cheap Tablets, And There Are Cheap Tablets

Published on 2012-09-30 12:05:09

The holiday shopping season is looming, and with the notable exception of the Apple iPad, consumers have definitely sent the message that cheap tablets are what we want. I think the feeling is “Well, I’d like an iPad, but if … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-09-28 21:00:23

Here is my weekly look at some items I found that piqued my interest or made me laugh – hopefully they will do the same for you. 50 Free Internet Tools For Tin-Foil Hat Wearers – be vewy, vewy careful… … Continue reading →

The Android USSD Problem – A Big Deal

Published on 2012-09-28 19:03:19

So, if you have an Android phone, you need to be aware of a recently-discovered exploit. Most smartphone brands appear to be affected, not just Samsung devices as initially reported. Simply put, baddies can embed USSD codes in links, QR … Continue reading →

Missing Children And Missing Web Pages

Published on 2012-09-27 20:44:05

We have, sadly, become all too familiar with those public service messages describing missing children on milk cartons and other locations. The concept itself takes something ubiquitous and puts it to good use. In a nod to the web-centric age … Continue reading →

Barnes And Noble Nook HD: “Me Too, Me Too!”

Published on 2012-09-27 11:49:51

Following hot on the heels of the generally well-received Amazon Kindle HD – which itself followed the acclaimed Google Nexus tablet – Barnes and Noble offers the Nook HD, yet another Android-powered tablet with which to enjoy all your “stuff”. The Nook … Continue reading →

After A Month Of Android

Published on 2012-09-27 10:59:56

I wrote about getting an entry-level Android smartphone about a month ago, and mentioned that, if nothing else, it would give me something to blog about. Well, I have not blogged very much about it because I have not really … Continue reading →

Magical Memories, Messy Media

Published on 2012-09-26 19:51:20

I do enjoy going though boxes of old photos, and it’s not just because I am middle-aged and getting all nostalgic; I have always enjoyed it. Home movies, too – even when it’s just people standing around, waving. There is … Continue reading →

Battle Cry: Ditch The Cable!

Published on 2012-09-25 22:15:52

Lately, it has become something of a badge of honor among the few, the proud, the geeky to “ditch the cable”. The idea is, by using an Internet connection and (typically) a set top box such as a Roku or … Continue reading →

Emoticons: From Smileys To Same Sex Partners

Published on 2012-09-25 18:42:53

Emoticons have been now around for 30 years and have been through quite a few changes, reflecting both the technical capabilities of the medium as well as social mores. These “emotional icons” seek to liven up email and other text … Continue reading →

The Grandkids Will Never Understand…

Published on 2012-09-23 14:26:03

National Do Not Call Registry Scam

Published on 2012-09-23 09:18:01

My wife and I periodically update our “do not call” information on the National Do Not Call Registry website, which attempts to reign in telemarketers from bugging you. I’m not entirely convinced those scalawags are paying attention to the list, … Continue reading →

Medicare Costs And Electronic Medical Records

Published on 2012-09-22 19:53:37

Electronic Medical Records (EMR) are a big deal these days, as hospitals and private practices are starting to integrate the new processes into their daily business, prompted by the federal government in an attempt to increase efficiency and cut costs. … Continue reading →

Getting A “Warm Fuzzy” Via Distributed Computing

Published on 2012-09-22 13:08:09

A personal computer is great at crunching numbers – actually, when you reduce it to the basics that is all computers really do. Most home computers are also idle a good part of the time, and many folk leave them … Continue reading →

As Seen On TV!

Published on 2012-09-22 10:35:47

No doubt you have seen the TV commercials for these all-in-one computer fixit programs, where you can fix everything that ails you with a single click. It’s an appealing idea for the 99% of computer users who don’t like to … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-09-22 09:58:05

Come with me now, on a short journey around the ‘web to share some items of interest I found recently. These may be old or new (certainly new to me), and are hopefully interesting or at least diverting… Upgrading An … Continue reading →

Picks And Pans For 9/21/2012

Published on 2012-09-21 21:29:17

Pick – Apple’s iPhone 5, these launches are STILL a big event, Apple’s stock soars Pan – Apple’s Map App, after ditching Google Maps, their homegrown version is off to a very rocky start.

Microsoft Issues “Critical” Internet Explorer Fix

Published on 2012-09-21 18:51:26

Microsoft has worked rather quickly to to push out the final fix for the potentially very nasty “zero-day” bug – if your computer is using the default Windows Updates setting you will get the patch today. The MS12-063 update provides … Continue reading →

Time’s 50 Best Websites For 2012

Published on 2012-09-20 19:28:24

Time offers reviews of 50 of their favorite websites for 2012. Some are perhaps lesser-known sites that may become the next big thing. Most are just good examples of their particular area of interest. Click the Time logo below…

The Human Body And Computers

Published on 2012-09-20 12:31:22

Article first published as I Sing The Body Electric on Technorati. With apologies to Ray Bradbury and his “electric grandmother”, we are starting to see a future where our own bodies may become an integral part of the digital landscape. … Continue reading →

Apple iOS 6 On The Way

Published on 2012-09-19 20:28:04

For those of you with Apple mobile devices - iPhones, iPads, iPods and so on – a new version of the iOS operating system, iOS 6, is rolling out just ahead of the launch of the iPhone 5. The new … Continue reading →

Internet Explorer “FixIt” Available From Microsoft

Published on 2012-09-19 20:00:23

Microsoft has issued an interim “FixIt” for their Internet Explorer web browser (all current versions) to mitigate against a zero-day vulnerability (i.e. something nasty). There will be an official follow-up on Friday, and I would mention the urgency with which … Continue reading →

Free Stuff For Your Kindle eReader

Published on 2012-09-18 12:15:17

Devices such as the Amazon Kindle eReader are referred to as content consumption devices – fancy talk meaning that you use them to view or listen to media content. For you bemused boomers out there, a record player would be … Continue reading →

Internet Explorer 6 Is The Devil!

Published on 2012-09-18 11:04:25

Well not literally Lucifer of course, but these days it has NO BUSINESS being on your computer – cast it out! Find out which version of Internet Explorer you have now and update as needed. Importantly, even if you are … Continue reading →

The Future And Self-Driving Cars

Published on 2012-09-16 20:22:58

Techradar has a detailed look at car automation, as well as actual self driving vehicles – will they actually become commonplace in the future? Before you dismiss the concept of a self-driving car as science fiction fancy, know this. You … Continue reading →

Picks And Pans For 9/16/2012

Published on 2012-09-16 08:58:42

Pick – Google, for making a nod towards upholding freedom of speech. Pan – Apple, for producing a ho-hum upgrade with the iPhone 5 (by their own stellar standards)

The Smartphone In Your Pocket

Published on 2012-09-15 17:44:58

A long long time ago, in a galaxy far … no, wait – a few decades ago, we had lots of stuff; Super 8 movie cameras, AT&T phones and transistor radios were the consumer technologies that people were buying and … Continue reading →

Don’t Forget – Remember The Milk!

Published on 2012-09-15 15:16:55

How many times have you arrived home and your loved one asks innocently “Did you remember [fill in the blank]?” – and your feeling of doltish inadequacy when you sheepishly admit that your didn’t? Yeah, me too. However, “Remember The … Continue reading →

Apple iPad Still Tops, Says J.D. Powers Survey

Published on 2012-09-15 11:19:46

The latest J.D Powers survey still has the Apple iPad as number one in customer satisfaction, and the iPad enjoyed a 68% share of the tablet market in the second quarter of 2012 – so, still kickin’ butt and takin’ … Continue reading →

The Internet And Low-Hanging Fruit

Published on 2012-09-14 21:21:25

I know, I know -  more “security” stuff! These are just a few real simple concepts to help you avoid becoming the “low-hanging fruit” that the bad guys go after first. The Internet can be a dangerous place, and the … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-09-14 19:27:03

Here’s another look at some links that caught my eye as I skipped and frolicked through the electronic meadow that is the Internet…or something  5 Mind-Blowing Things Crowds Do Better Than Experts – quite interesting Dear Tech Support – this … Continue reading →

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2012-09-14 18:46:42

Q – Which famous company produced the first prototype digital camera? A – Perversely enough, it was Kodak – the once huge company is now shadow of it’s former self, overtaken by the onslaught of digital photography….

What Is “Do Not Track”?

Published on 2012-09-14 17:30:51

Do Not Track (DNT) is a mechanism that allows you to specify, via your web browser preferences, whether web sites are allowed to use tracking cookies when you visit their site. These cookies are typically used by advertisers to give … Continue reading →

More DARPA Robotic HiJinks

Published on 2012-09-13 11:35:54

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has been working with Boston Dynamics for several years on prototype robotic “pack mules” – which are just what they sound like – automatons that carry stuff for soldiers or marines in the … Continue reading →

SANS Ouch! Sept 2012 – Hacked, Now What?

Published on 2012-09-12 18:52:32

The SANS Institute publishes monthly newsletters on security-related topics, presented in a user-friendly manner. This month’s edition discusses how to determine if you may have been hacked, and what to do about it: English Version (PDF file) Translated Versions & Archives

iPhone 5 – A Little Less Sizzle This Time?

Published on 2012-09-12 18:05:48

The latest version of the iPhone, the iPhone 5, brings some incremental changes and of course no Steve Jobs to give that extra oomph to the whole shebang. The phone is a bit longer, a bit slimmer, a bit faster, … Continue reading →

A Really, Really Big QR Code

Published on 2012-09-11 19:37:49

QR Codes (those square barcodes) are usually small – a square inch or less, something like that. There’s no reason why it couldn’t be bigger – a lot bigger. Enter the Kraay family, who has a thing for corn-based mazes. … Continue reading →

Picks And Pans For 9/9/2012

Published on 2012-09-09 16:45:39

Pick – Amazon.com, for being serious with the new Kindle Fire HD hardware Pan – Amazon.com, for being silly with the much-touted but so-meager-it’s almost-useless $50/year data plan for the Kindle Fire HD

QR Codes For Grave Markers

Published on 2012-09-08 11:01:51

In the SciFi movie Serenity there is a rather touching scene where some grave markers are seen, each sporting a moving hologram of the deceased in happier times. This isn’t that, but the concept is similar – by etching a … Continue reading →

Microsoft Patch Tuesday On The Way

Published on 2012-09-08 08:35:12

The next Microsoft Patch Tuesday – on September 11th – is a relatively quiet one, but there are still a couple of updates rated as “important”. The second Tuesday of each month is when Microsoft schedules it’s update releases. As … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-09-07 19:46:05

Round and round the web we go, where I’ll stop nobody knows – so here are a few links that caught my eye over the past week. Infographic: Are You Revealing Too Much On Social Networks? 10 Things The “Average … Continue reading →

Kindle Fire HD Ups The Ante

Published on 2012-09-06 20:47:04

Hoo, boy! Things are heating up in the “affordable” tablet segment again. Following hot on the heels of the much-lauded Nexus 7 from Google, Amazon unleashes it’s Kindle Fire HD – and it sounds like nothing to be sneezed at. … Continue reading →

Google TV, Apple TV – What Are They?

Published on 2012-09-06 19:46:17

You have probably heard about Google TV and Apple TV, but what actually are they – TV sets made by those companies? Both are part of a pretty big group of entertainment devices known as media streamers, typically a small … Continue reading →

Voicemail Down, Texting and IM Up

Published on 2012-09-06 10:05:28

USA Today published data from a Vonage study, showing that the number of voicemail messages left dropped nearly 10% over the past year and that the act of retrieving voicemanil messages fell almost 15% in the same period. It seems … Continue reading →

Goodwill, Computers And Other Stuff

Published on 2012-09-05 10:58:11

Goodwill International is a non-profit organization well-known for their thrift stores, and I am not ashamed to say we have bought and sold items there over the years. However, there is a decidedly geeky side to Goodwill that you are … Continue reading →

Half Of Humanity To Have Web Access By 2017

Published on 2012-09-05 10:36:39

In a rather startling report, Forrester Research asserts that by 2017, 3.5 billion people across the world will access the web at least once a month from home, school, work, or some other location via a PC or a non-PC … Continue reading →

Email Phishing Attacks Use Java Exploit

Published on 2012-09-04 21:09:28

Sorry to keep harping on Java here lately, but the pot is bubbling pretty hard right now. There are a couple of phishing emails doing the rounds, one supposedly from Microsoft (a “Microsoft Services Agreement“) and Amazon (“Your Order With … Continue reading →

Less Than Half Of Tested Virus Scanners Catch Current Java Exploit

Published on 2012-09-04 14:25:35

“Be Careful Out There” is a bit of an understatement these days, as the latest Java exploit is doing the rounds. Java is a ubiquitous programming language and is used on websites in a somewhat similar manner to Adobe’s Flash, … Continue reading →

Nevada, California Say OK To Self-Drive Cars

Published on 2012-09-03 18:11:12

California looks to be joining Nevada as the second US state to allow self-drive cars to operate on their roads. The California Bill, SB 1298, is awaiting Governor Jerry Brown’s signature, and calls on the California DMV to develop standards and … Continue reading →

Mac OS X Beats Out Windows Vista

Published on 2012-09-03 13:33:25

While surpassing the number of worldwide users of Microsoft’s last big flop may seem like a sort of back-handed compliment, Apple’s Mac OS X is continuing it’s steady climb in popularity. According to NetMarketShare, in August 2012 Mac OS X … Continue reading →

Windows RT – A Bit Of A Hodgepodge

Published on 2012-09-02 21:34:48

We have some reviewers finally getting their hands on tablet devices running Windows RT – which is basically the same as Windows 8 for the desktop, but designed to run on lower-power ARM chips in portable devices. The results are … Continue reading →

Computers Evolving Towards Being Toasters

Published on 2012-09-02 19:07:38

When the personal computer first came into our homes, it was typically based upon MS-DOS, Microsoft’s Disk Operating System. When the first Windows versions appeared, they were simply a graphical layer upon MS-DOS. One of the longstanding issues for computer … Continue reading →

Google Chrome Throws A Wrench In The Works

Published on 2012-09-02 12:13:45

I think one of the things that causes hesitation among newbie computer users is the lack of information in modern User Interface (UI) designs; words are seldom used in a Graphical UI. That’s fine, if you know what the image … Continue reading →

Smartphone Apps To Navigate Indoors

Published on 2012-09-02 09:04:53

An App that lets you navigate inside a store or mall may sound silly at first, until you recall that time you were just trying to find a colander… A smartphone typically use a couple of methods to “know” where … Continue reading →

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2012-09-01 22:34:33

Q – Who develops the popular Android operating system used on smartphones and tablets? A – The Open Handset Alliance, led by Google. Google purchased Android, Inc in 2005.

Web Browser Safe Mode – How And Why

Published on 2012-09-01 21:40:14

Sometimes your web browser can seem to have a mind of it’s own – it starts acting all snotty like a pouting teen and is generally just a pain. Restarting the computer does not help, and it’s not at all … Continue reading →

3 Brainy Video Websites

Published on 2012-09-01 14:21:04

The web can be a great time-waster, but of course there is thought-provoking and uplifting material out there too – you don’t have to watch kitten videos all the time (no offense to kittens intended). Here are three free video … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-09-01 13:21:38

Another week, another collection of links that caught my attention, made me laugh, of had me think I was losing what sanity I have remaining… 50 Best Portable Apps (Windows/Mac/Linux) -  thumbdrive goodness! Top 10 Tricks For Turning Your Junk … Continue reading →

Lexmark Out Of The Inkjet Printer Business

Published on 2012-08-31 14:44:42

Printer maker Lexmark announced Tuesday it was getting out of the inkjet printer business in a restructuring that is aimed at saving money and focusing on business printing services, rather than the consumer arena. Unfortunately, that will mean over 500 … Continue reading →

Latest Java Exploits Demand Action

Published on 2012-08-30 21:20:47

Java is one of those things that most people don’t know anything about – until it breaks or goes bad. Oracle now “controls” Java, and puts out updates on a pretty rigid schedule, except that exploits (bad stuff) appear on … Continue reading →

A Desert Storm Of Hacking

Published on 2012-08-30 18:51:04

Following hard on the heels of the Saudi Aramco virus infection, we now have another Middle Eastern energy company – a natural gas company in Qatar – subjected to a similar-sounding attack. RasGas reported their internal computer network was taken … Continue reading →

Cloudy Around The World

Published on 2012-08-30 11:42:08

In the United States, we tend to be very focused on what goes on here, and have only a passing interest in what the rest of the world is doing. However, have you ever considered Cloud services being used in … Continue reading →

Just For Fun

Published on 2012-08-29 20:39:33

Been there, done that…

The Promise Of Healthcare Data Mining

Published on 2012-08-29 20:33:06

Computers are great at crunching numbers, analyzing trends and so on. One of the goals of those who gather and store huge amounts of healthcare data from patients and hospitals, is to utilize Business Intelligence to sift through the raw … Continue reading →

Most Americans Have A Fuzzy View Of The Cloud

Published on 2012-08-28 20:52:07

Citrix, a major provider of network and other computer services, conducted a survey this month of 1,000 adults on what people thought The Cloud was. While most had heard of the term, most were less sure of what it actually … Continue reading →

Saudi Oil Company Hacked

Published on 2012-08-27 20:07:56

As if the world’s oil markets were not squirrelly enough, we now find that a major Saudi oil producer, Saudi Aramco, has just resumed it’s internal computer network operations after a virus outbreak earlier this month forced them to shut … Continue reading →

Instagram – For And Against

Published on 2012-08-26 20:37:03

I had not realized that there was something of a backlash against Instagram – the App for Android and iPhone that allows you to quickly upload images to Facebook – but apparently, there is quite a bit of bluster going … Continue reading →

Hotel Key Card Hack Fix

Published on 2012-08-26 17:43:50

If you have stayed at a hotel recently, you will have used a key card to open the electronic door locks. A major supplier of those key card mechanisms, Onity, has issued a couple of fixes for a recent successful … Continue reading →

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2012-08-26 13:22:50

Q – What kind of computer keyboard is this? A – It’s a DVORAK keyboard – while it’s still used by English speakers, the layout is very different from the more common QWERTY keyboard.

Dropbox Now With Two-Factor Authentication

Published on 2012-08-26 12:17:28

Spurred on by a recent security incident, Dropbox now also provides the ability to use two-factor (2-step) authentication. As described previously, Google also provides this feature and it is a meaningful additional layer of protection to the username/password protocol used … Continue reading →

A Facebook…Book

Published on 2012-08-26 10:32:58

Our real world and the virtual world are two different realities; people can and sometimes do live an alternate life online – they are always vacationing, doing cool stuff and so on. Sometimes though, the two realities come together – … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-08-25 19:18:01

Another trip once around the web, pulling together a few links to items that caught my eye as I wandered far and wide, to present them for your entertainment and amusement… Incredibox – hard to explain, a music creation web … Continue reading →

Astronaut Neil Armstrong Dead At 82

Published on 2012-08-25 15:22:45

Astronauts are a rare breed; even rarer are those who have walked upon the surface of our Moon. Neil Armstrong, the first of that elite second group, has died at age 82. I don’t remember a whole lot from my … Continue reading →

It’s A Camping Stove And A Charger!

Published on 2012-08-25 12:11:58

There is technology and then there is technology – a high tech camping stove sounds like a oxymoron, and yet the BioLite CampStove brings the great outdoors and gadgets like a smartphone into a state of harmony. The small stove … Continue reading →

My Transition To Android

Published on 2012-08-24 22:14:06

I got the Android phone I had mentioned previously in this blog. It’s an entry-level phone from Virgin Mobile; “cheap and cheerful”, you might say. The first thing that struck me was how small it was, and I was immediately … Continue reading →

Silly Season For Mobile Technology Manufacturers

Published on 2012-08-24 10:54:31

The holidays are looming in the not-to-distant future, a time of year when lots of consumer electronics are sold and lots of new products are released. Spurred on by Apple’s (real or imagined) release cycle, the other mobile technology product … Continue reading →

Facedeals Brings More Minority Report-Type Tech

Published on 2012-08-23 20:49:29

It disturbs me just a tad how often I seem to refer to the 2002 SciFi drama Minority Report when blogging about new technology; gesture-based computer interfaces, crime prediction software and so on. Director Steven Spielberg must have had some … Continue reading →

Logitech Washable Computer Keyboard

Published on 2012-08-23 18:27:52

Now, I confess that my USB thumb drive has accidentally made a trip through the washing machine – twice, come to think of it – and come out relatively unscathed, but that’s generally not how you want to treat electronic … Continue reading →

Google Two Factor Authentication

Published on 2012-08-23 17:33:35

What is it? – A way to provide an extra layer of security to your Google account(s), similar to what you might use at a bank’s web site. Why? – If a bad guy steals or guesses your password, he’s … Continue reading →

Microsoft Has New Logo

Published on 2012-08-23 10:10:25

“Big deal”, you may say – and actually, it is a big deal in a business where branding is extremely important. The Microsoft logo has been unchanged for over 25 years – a quarter of a century, which is a … Continue reading →

Search Twitter Without An Account

Published on 2012-08-22 20:09:40

Social media site Twitter is pretty well-known as a place to find out what people are thinking and talking (well, Tweeting) about right now. If you are a bit reluctant to actually take the plunge and sign up for the … Continue reading →

Computer Hardware Nostalgia

Published on 2012-08-22 19:00:59

From time to time, it comes back to me how astonishing the world of computers and consumer electronics really is. The technical advances are fast and furious – sometimes almost too fast for us of a certain age – and … Continue reading →

Sparkling Desktop Wallpapers

Published on 2012-08-21 20:49:01

I don’t normally post links to wallpapers, as they are usually very subjective and I tend to like sort of boring ones anyway. This small collection caught my eye though,  as something fresh and interesting. Most are fairly simple, which … Continue reading →

Android Smartphone, Here I Come!

Published on 2012-08-21 20:23:14

I have been meandering around the subject of giving up my clamshell phone for a “smartphone” – in this case, an entry-level Android model from Virgin Mobile. I pulled the trigger today and ordered the darn thing. This is no … Continue reading →

3 Useful Things To Put On A USB Flash Drive

Published on 2012-08-19 17:59:03

Chances are, you have a USB flash drive (a “thumb drive”) laying around – you may even carry one on your key chain (I do). So, what do you keep on it? It’s probably not a great idea to keep important data … Continue reading →

The “Double” Telepresence Robot

Published on 2012-08-19 10:46:28

Telepresence is one of those science fiction-y terms that can make people nervous. It just means using some kind of technology to allow you to “be” somewhere you physically are not – a phone could be though of as a … Continue reading →

Lithium Ion Battery With Superfast Recharge

Published on 2012-08-19 09:52:37

Lithium ion batteries have become the go-to power pack for portable rechargeable electronic devices, power tools, and for electric and hybrid electric vehicles. Different lithium compounds are used for different applications, but this type of battery is generally the most … Continue reading →

Ford And Toyota Working On F-150 Hybrid

Published on 2012-08-17 22:05:02

Pickup trucks and Hybrid technology don’t seem like a particularly good match; trucks are big, not very aerodynamic, and are subject to heavy use and things like towing stuff. All of these are anathema to energy-efficient transportation – and yet … Continue reading →

Just For Fun

Published on 2012-08-17 21:43:49

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-08-17 20:35:10

Every week, more or less, I post several links that caught my eye over the past seven days. Most are newer items, and they may be funny, cute, annoying or weird – whatever triggered my radar. Dig in - 30 … Continue reading →

Julian Assange: UK and Ecuador Get Ready To Rumble!

Published on 2012-08-17 14:49:17

The world is a funny place, make no mistake. Julian Assange, the Australian best known as the founder and editor-in-chief of Wikileaks, has become, if possible, even more of a lightning rod in the last few days. A real diplomatic … Continue reading →

Microsoft Surface Pricing Rumors Abound

Published on 2012-08-16 20:30:08

The forthcoming Microsoft Surface tablet devices may be priced competitively – very competitively. Maybe $200 for the 16GB model – that’s Kindle Fire and Nexus 7 territory. Microsoft could afford do this if they want to – they would be … Continue reading →

Adobe Acrobat Reader Security Issues Continue

Published on 2012-08-16 18:35:39

Adobe just released security updates for various products, including Adobe Acrobat Reader for Windows and Mac OS X, as part of it’s regular release schedule. Reader allows computer users to view Acrobat PDF documents. According to Google – who has … Continue reading →

Bill Gates Turns His Attention To…

Published on 2012-08-15 22:05:53

… the toilet. Yes, the John, the Dunnie, the Crapper, the Commode, the Cludgie – and some other, more colorful euphemisms. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced the prizewinners of a contest to come up with a workable toilet … Continue reading →

Pinterest Apps Ahoy

Published on 2012-08-15 20:03:23

Pinterest – the up-and-coming social media site that I confess I don’t fully understand – now has a couple of apps available for your mobile pinning pleasure. There are apps for Android, iPhone and iPad – the iPad one is … Continue reading →

Y’know, When I Was A Kid…

Published on 2012-08-14 21:19:29

Y’know, when I was a kid we didn’t have a telephone in our home; there was a phone box on the corner if you really needed to make a call – and our family was not that unusual in that … Continue reading →

That’s One Way To Look At It

Published on 2012-08-14 19:11:54

No More Adobe Flash For Android Devices

Published on 2012-08-14 18:39:58

After tomorrow, August 15th, Adobe will pull their Flash player from the Google store. After that, you will not be able to install Flash on any Android devices, but you will get future security updates if it was previously installed. … Continue reading →

LED Lighting Primer

Published on 2012-08-13 18:49:31

Incandescent lighting is being slowly regulated out of existence, fluorescent curly lamps (CFLs in proper parlance) are generally not a consumer favorite, so next in line are LED bulbs. The LEDs in LED lighting are basically the same sort sort … Continue reading →

Web Search Safety – A Head’s Up

Published on 2012-08-12 22:47:35

Scammers and malware writers love to appeal to the baser side of human nature; if there is a big story going around – the more lurid, the better – they will latch onto it and use it to their advantage. … Continue reading →

Low Carbon Power From Geothermal Is Evil Too

Published on 2012-08-12 18:27:56

What if you could stick a pipe into the earth and tap into an unlimited amount of heat energy, and what if it could be used for low carbon power generation on a large scale? Well you could, and it … Continue reading →

Google Chrome Language Immersion App

Published on 2012-08-12 15:14:29

There is an app for just about everything, isn’t there? If you have the Google Chrome browser installed, you can install an experimental language immersion app, the idea of which is to help you learn a foreign language by switching … Continue reading →

SANS Ouch! August 2012 – Counterfeit Websites

Published on 2012-08-12 13:53:39

The SANS Institute publishes monthly newsletters on security-related topics, presented in a user-friendly manner. This month’s edition discusses counterfeit websites, how to recognize and avoid them: English Version (PDF file) Translated Versions & Archives

The Connected Typewriter

Published on 2012-08-12 10:57:37

The first wave of desktop computers looked very much like a typewriter connected to a small TV set. These first PCs (personal computers) sometimes did actually use a TV instead of a dedicated monitor, later models would need a purpose-made … Continue reading →

Microsoft Patch Tuesday August 14th

Published on 2012-08-11 17:20:23

August 14th brings us another Patch Tuesday, with several critical patches for Windows, Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office. The second Tuesday of each month is when Microsoft schedules it’s update releases. As always, please make sure your Windows Update is set to … Continue reading →

Gauss Malware Facts

Published on 2012-08-11 12:25:43

The latest “superstar” malware is Gauss, which you may have read about – so should you be concerned? Probably not, as it seems to have been directed towards Middle East counties. Unless you live or work there, or have visited … Continue reading →

3 Free Android Security Apps

Published on 2012-08-11 10:59:28

Android-based smartphones and tablets are of course very popular, and as such have become a new playground for malware writers. If you only use Apps from the Google Play Android Market, those are already scanned for viruses; it would be … Continue reading →

Chrome 22 Offers Flash Sandboxing For Windows Users

Published on 2012-08-11 08:23:10

Google has released version 22 of it’s Chrome web browser, and this time the emphasis is on securing Flash by way of a new sandboxed plugin that should substantially protect against rogue Flash apps. Sandboxing in a method of “isolating” … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-08-11 07:59:05

Wow, another week gone by! Here is a small selection of articles, photos or videos that caught my eye over the past week – hopefully something will catch your interest too: 9 Implants that make human healthy body even more … Continue reading →

Smartphone Thoughts Revisited

Published on 2012-08-09 21:04:06

I mentioned a few posts ago that I was beginning to succumb to the siren call of the smartphone. I am most assuredly the odd person out in that regard at my place of work. I used to have a … Continue reading →

Pinterest Invites Investor Interest

Published on 2012-08-08 21:33:23

Pinterest (my mind keeps wanting to say “pin interest”) is now open to the unwashed masses; we no longer require an invitation to sign up, following a healthy infusion of investor cash. Pinterest is a social media sharing site where … Continue reading →

Data Mining In NYC

Published on 2012-08-08 19:09:40

Data Mining is something computers can be good at; you take large amounts of data from sometimes disparate sources, and allow computers to analyze it and find useful patterns. In New York City, as we approach another anniversary of the … Continue reading →

A Different Kind Of Computer Crash

Published on 2012-08-07 19:39:32

Modern cars are chock full o’ computers; it’s been a slow progression of a few chips here and a few chips there over the past few decades, but now even “regular” cars have a lot of computing power, and more … Continue reading →

Outlook.com Made A Bit Clearer

Published on 2012-08-06 20:21:57

Microsoft has provided some details on the hows, whys and wherefores of transitioning from an existing Hotmail account to an Outlook.com account, and the various options open to you. Hotmail accounts would include  @hotmail.com, @msn.com and @live.com addresses. There is … Continue reading →

Movies On Film Quickly Dying

Published on 2012-08-05 18:57:32

By 2013, it’s quite possible that movies will no longer be made using the traditional 35mm film that has been around for over one hundred years. I think we have probably been aware that some kind of transition is taking … Continue reading →

Metro Ha Muerto

Published on 2012-08-05 10:36:53

Metro is dead. As mentioned in a previous post, Microsoft is rather mysteriously dumping the Metro name for it’s new UI, a major feature of Windows 8. It’s not still entirely clear why; they cite a “European partner” that has … Continue reading →

Getting Closer To A Smartphone

Published on 2012-08-05 08:24:14

I write about smartphones fairly often here, but I not not own one; basically because they are typically expensive to buy and maintain, and I am a cheapskate. However, I can see that changing as Virgin Mobile now has an … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-08-03 19:33:22

It’s the end of another week, and time again for me to share some links to articles, photos, videos that caught my attention. So, here you go, for your edification and enjoyment… Release the Kraken!  – what a wild photo! … Continue reading →

DARPA And Android Security

Published on 2012-08-03 12:21:45

DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, is not just about robotic pack mules and cyber-sleuthing; they also fund other technology projects in various areas. One such endeavor is a new service that could help users of Google Android-power mobile … Continue reading →

Microsoft Metro Muddle?

Published on 2012-08-03 09:24:56

Microsoft does seem to have a habit of changing well-established brands in a seemingly capricious and often confusing manner (e.g. Windows Live Mesh/Live Mesh/Windows Live Sync/Windows Live FolderShare). They may be at it again, as the much talked about Metro … Continue reading →

Which Version Of Android?

Published on 2012-08-02 20:19:32

The Android operating system is very popular, and is used in both phones and tablets, like Apple’s iOS operating system. The Linux-based OS is developed by Google, and there are many versions floating around; some would say too many, and … Continue reading →

The Department of Veterans Affairs And Technology

Published on 2012-08-01 20:26:32

The Department of Veterans Affairs chief consultant of care coordination services, Adam Darkins MD, speaks to Healthcare It News about Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Telemedicine, and other ways of bringing medical services to the patient. We’ve been building a technology … Continue reading →

Next Up: Digital Pills

Published on 2012-08-01 07:41:51

Sometimes it’s hard to get patients to take their medications, or at least to take them regularly and correctly. This can be particularly true with long term diseases or those affecting older patients who have to take pills for years. … Continue reading →

Dropbox User Email Leaks

Published on 2012-07-31 20:33:16

Dropbox has confirmed that some pilfered usernames and passwords from another site were used to used to break into several Dropbox accounts, including one Dropbox employee’s account which had a list of email addresses of other Dropbox users. Oops. The … Continue reading →

Microsoft Introduces Outlook.com

Published on 2012-07-31 13:03:13

Microsoft has launched a preview of a new web-based email service, Outlook.com – and it’s rather nice. This separate from the Outlook App, but is rather a replacement for the aging Hotmail – which, notwithstanding a bit of freshening up … Continue reading →

Arbitray Code Execution – In English, Please

Published on 2012-07-31 09:04:08

Security update notifications from software vendors often contain the phrase “may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code“, but what does that mean? Arbitrary code execution refers to the (unwanted) ability of a third party to control, or take over … Continue reading →

Just for fun

Published on 2012-07-30 18:38:52

Baby Boomer Bashing

Published on 2012-07-30 13:20:32

You have probably noticed a lot of baby boomer bashing over the last few years, and although it ebbs and flows, it seems to be getting worse as boomers and the “one percent” seem to get lumped into a big … Continue reading →

The Next Kindle Fire

Published on 2012-07-30 12:07:30

The dust has hardly settled following the introduction of the well-received Google Nexus 7 inch tablet, and already the rumors are swirling as to how Amazon will strike back with it’s next Kindle Fire tablet. Hardware upgrades are  a must, … Continue reading →

The Malware Moving Target

Published on 2012-07-29 21:18:36

One of the tough things about stopping malware (viruses, trojans, spyware, etc) is that the threat keeps changing; there are lots of ways to infect computer systems; from an infected USB stick, or opening an infected email attachment, or visiting … Continue reading →

Replacing A Hard Drive With An SSD

Published on 2012-07-28 19:17:34

Solids State Drives (SSDs) are becoming a popular upgrade and have the attraction of generally providing a decent performance boost in the process. The Register (a UK website) has produced a short video to spell out the basic process, so … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-07-28 17:25:47

Once more around the web, dear friends, once more. Another small collection of links that caught my eye as I wandered the quirky expanse of the Internet. Best Websites For Listening to Internet Radio – the tile says it… In … Continue reading →

5 Five GB Free Cloud Storage Solutions

Published on 2012-07-28 10:41:31

Three important things computer users should be aware of: 1 – Computers will break. Trust me on this one. 2 – Backups are important if you want to keep your digital stuff. 3 – Most people don’t bother with computer … Continue reading →

Health Care IT Is Hot

Published on 2012-07-27 20:22:18

Venture Capital (VC) funding for health care IT in 2012 is already more than for the whole of 2011. The lion’s share of funding went to Health Information Management (HIM) companies. It’s another indication of the future of health care … Continue reading →

Safari Browser For Windows MIA

Published on 2012-07-27 13:15:42

Apple’s Safari web browser has also been available these last few years for computers running Microsoft Windows, and was moderately popular. It looks like Apple may have pulled the plug, though; with the release of the latest version of Apple’s … Continue reading →

HIGHTRUST Health Care Defense

Published on 2012-07-26 21:59:26

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are the way of the future, and are seen as a way both to save money and to provide better care by making health care data readily available between doctors and hospitals. However, the stakes are … Continue reading →

Google Wants You To Have More Fiber

Published on 2012-07-26 20:16:41

Google wants us to have more fiber; not the cardboard-flavored breakfast cereal kind, but the high-speed Internet connection kind of fiber. Fiber can be fast, really fast. How about up to 100 times faster than the “usual” 5 or 6 … Continue reading →

Video Recording The Police In Action

Published on 2012-07-25 12:58:03

Following a lawsuit from a citizen, aided by The American Civil Liberties Union, Washington DC Police Chief Cathy Lanier issued a refreshingly clear policy statement on the rights of citizens to record the activities of police officers in the execution of … Continue reading →

Reddit Shows The Power Of Social Media

Published on 2012-07-24 19:36:22

Reddit is a very popular social media news site where members post links or self-produced items. Reddit had a rather startling involvement in the recent shooting tragedy in Aurora, CO, pulling together information from other media sources like Twitter and … Continue reading →

3 Easy Ways To Send Large Files For Free

Published on 2012-07-24 11:25:05

Sometimes you need to send or share a file with someone, but it’s too big to attach to an email – for example, a 100MB video file. Many email accounts max out at 10MB attachments (about the size of two … Continue reading →

Apple To Present At Black Hat Conference

Published on 2012-07-24 09:05:38

Apple, much like the late Steve Jobs himself, is sometimes stubborn and aloof. In the 15 years since the first Black Hat security conference, this week will be the first time Apple has offered an official presentation to the audience … Continue reading →

Apple’s iPhone Still Riding The Wave

Published on 2012-07-23 18:48:43

According to a new survey, consumers are not sick of the iPhone yet – indeed they are eager for the next version, presumably called the iPhone 5. This sixth version of Apple’s extremely successful smartphone still has a lot of … Continue reading →

How Many Gigabytes?

Published on 2012-07-22 13:42:52

The whole Gigabytes, Terabytes, Kilobytes thing can get confusing rather quickly, so I put together what I hope is a quick visual reference to try and make sense of it all – click for the full size version. I am … Continue reading →

Bing Maps Get Some New Data

Published on 2012-07-22 11:13:01

Online maps seem to be hot stuff these days, and Bing Maps recently got a nice boost courtesy of 165 Terabytes of image data added to them – see the image below for an idea of how much “stuff” is … Continue reading →

How-to Quickie: Using UNetbootin

Published on 2012-07-21 17:12:12

UNetbootin is a very useful utility that allows you to easily create a bootable USB device from an ISO file. An ISO file is something you would typically download and burn to a CD or DVD; if done correctly, it … Continue reading →

Recycling London Olympics Computer Hardware

Published on 2012-07-21 13:21:53

Such is our fast-paced (but Eco-friendly!) style of living that plans are already underway for the re-purposing of computer hardware and buildings used to provide the sizable computer network infrastructure surrounding the 2012 London Olympics. The eternal flame has not … Continue reading →

DirecTV And Viacom Kiss And Make Up

Published on 2012-07-21 12:29:59

After a pretty ugly stand-off lasting a couple of weeks and inconveniencing not a few customers, DirecTV and Viacom gave each other a quick peck on the cheek and returned to the business of generating revenue. A seven-year deal in … Continue reading →

Job Hunting In The Modern Era

Published on 2012-07-21 09:52:16

I posted a new link on my “Job Hunting” section (see the link on the navigation bar at the top of the blog) – it’s an article from Mashable.com, entitled 10 Tip For Job Seekers In The Digital Era, and … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-07-20 18:43:53

Featuring a veritable treasure trove of links from around the wwww (the wacky world wide web), submitted by yours truly for your edification, entertainment or puzzlement. Before they were on Game of Thrones – have not seen it, but I … Continue reading →

Tablets In The Workplace

Published on 2012-07-19 21:48:34

Tablet computers are becoming more common in the workplace, and for IT workers worldwide about 1 in 10 use tablets. Apple leads the pack currently, with Android devices following up. The information below is from a survey taken late last … Continue reading →

Grum Botnet Has The Plug Pulled

Published on 2012-07-19 21:06:56

The Grum Botnet – third largest in the world – had the plug pulled through a cooperative effort with various ISPs and other security companies. A botnet is a bunch of computers (often home PCs) unwittingly under centralized control via … Continue reading →

How-to Quickie: Panda Cloud Antivirus

Published on 2012-07-19 19:14:09

A quick look at the latest Panda Cloud Antivirus software version, one of several short videos available at Youtube.com/Howtoquickies

Physicans Like Electronic Health Records

Published on 2012-07-19 17:18:58

According to a new Federal survey - Most office-based physicians who have adopted electronic health records are satisfied with the systems they have chosen and have noted improved patient care, according to a survey by the Department of Health and … Continue reading →

No Office 2013 For XP, Vista Users

Published on 2012-07-18 21:59:20

Microsoft’s latest version of it’s Office suite, Office 2013, won’t be available to those running Windows XP or even Vista – a bit more than half of all current Windows users. Office 2013 is a cloud-centric version of the ubiquitous … Continue reading →

Microsoft Malware Prevention Troubleshooter

Published on 2012-07-18 21:26:39

Although a bit of a mouthful, the Microsoft Malware Prevention Troubleshooter is a simple concept; a straightforward way to fix and repair basic security issues on your Windows computer (XP thru Windows 7). It does not remove malware, it tries … Continue reading →

Solid State Drives – Care And Feeding

Published on 2012-07-18 20:33:02

Solid state drives (SSDs) are the bee’s knees – this new breed of “hard drive” has no moving parts and can speed up your computer by performing noticeably faster than a conventional mechanical drive – mostly. However, there are some … Continue reading →

All-In-One Computers Doing Well

Published on 2012-07-18 10:51:28

All-in-one (AOI) computers are a notable bright spot in the “traditional” personal computer market; AOI shipments are forecast to be up 20% over last year, at over 16 million units. Other desktop PC sales are projected to be basically flat. … Continue reading →

Ubuntu Unity Revealed

Published on 2012-07-17 19:25:42

You may have head of the Linux operating system, or of one of the more popular distributions (packaged versions) called Ubuntu. Linux is a modern computer operating system that is (legally) available for free. You can download the files are … Continue reading →

Social Security ‘Secrets’

Published on 2012-07-16 20:40:40

While they may not be technically “secret”, thanks to layers of government-ese in the Social Security Handbook, they are at best … obscure. To help get you started, Forbes has a list of 29 things you need to know that … Continue reading →

FDA To Regulate Medical Apps

Published on 2012-07-15 19:57:57

The recently passed Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act enhances the FDA’s authority to regulate medical apps, such as those used by physicians (doctors love iPads!). The FDA has issued guidelines for app makers since 2010, but now … Continue reading →

When Anitivirus Software Goes Bad

Published on 2012-07-15 13:15:55

Working, up-to-date antivirus software is pretty vital to safely using a computing device these days. There are some tech mavens who eschew antivirus products, and say that “safe computing” practices are all you need; that’s nice, but most of us … Continue reading →

Sandia’s Lab Tests On A Disk

Published on 2012-07-14 20:29:58

An exciting, if strange, new piece of technology from Sandia National Laboratories promises a compact, less expensive means of performing routine lab tests such as blood work, with results in minutes rather than days. The product, known as SpinDX, may … Continue reading →

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2012-07-14 17:26:36

Q – In the early 1990′s, which tech company utilized all the CD production capability in the world for a few weeks? A – Not too hard to guess – it was AOL. Remember all the AOL install CDs that … Continue reading →

More Bang For Their Malware Buck

Published on 2012-07-14 09:57:29

You probably know that most malware (viruses, trojans, etc) that runs on one platform does not run on another; typically a “Windows virus” can’t infect a computer running Mac OS X, and so on. Well, in an effort to get … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-07-13 20:54:21

Another weekly round-up of items from around the big wide web, submitted for you edification, mystification, or amusement: Bieber hits 25 million followers – are there that many teen girls? Tool Kit: How To Buy A Laptop – nice, no-nonsense … Continue reading →

What Are Terahertz Devices?

Published on 2012-07-12 22:08:53

Terahertz is a term that I have see quite a bit recently; Terahertz describes a class of short wavelength radiation between infrared and microwaves. The actual wavelength can be from 1 millimeter to 1 micrometer, as illustrated below. The applications … Continue reading →

Google Nexus Tablet Build Cost

Published on 2012-07-12 11:08:56

The spiffy new Google Nexus 7-inch tablet has been favorably received and looks like it might give some serious competition for the Amazon Kindle Fire device. With both products being sold at such a relatively low price (around $200 here … Continue reading →

New OS X ‘Mountain Lion’ Drops Older Macs

Published on 2012-07-11 20:30:57

Apple’s latest upgrade to it’s OS X computer operating system, version 10.8 Mountain Lion will not be available for older Macs when it is released later this month. This is not really a huge surprise, and the cut-off is mostly … Continue reading →

Windows Sidebar, Gadgets Should Be Disabled

Published on 2012-07-11 12:28:26

Microsoft is advising that Windows users who utilize the Sidebar and/or Gadgets should disable them, due to the potential for tampering by malicious software. These were introduced in Windows Vista, and would show things like system information, weather, RSS feeds, … Continue reading →

Jetsons, Here We Come!

Published on 2012-07-10 18:59:42

Every once in a while I stop and think about the automated homes from the Jetsons – although to be completely honest, it’s more often about having a flying car…but I digress. We are much closer to a lot of … Continue reading →

What Is Android Fragmentation?

Published on 2012-07-09 18:34:28

Ooh, sounds painful doesn’t it? Fortunately, it’s not a medical issue, but rather a bit of a weird situation regarding mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) using versions of Google’s Android operating system. Versions – therein lies the problem: Android already has … Continue reading →

Internet Explorer Taking A Beating

Published on 2012-07-09 11:04:44

Wow, how the mighty have fallen. Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (“IE”) was, for a long time, THE web browser – there was very little competition as far as Windows computers were concerned. However, with the rise in popularity of other browsers, … Continue reading →

Personal Computers, They Are A’ Changing

Published on 2012-07-07 14:43:28

We are in the midst of a bit of a sea change in the computers we use every day. It’s not anything to be alarmed about – it takes a while for a big ship to change course – but … Continue reading →

Best Buy Stores Hurting, Reinventing Themselves

Published on 2012-07-07 08:27:04

The largest US electronics retailer, Best Buy, is struggling to reinvent itself in the face of a hobbled US economy and the challenge of competing with online stores. The latest round of layoffs (another 2400), follows earlier announcements that 50 … Continue reading →

Microsoft Patch Tuesday July 10th

Published on 2012-07-06 23:03:19

July 10th brings us another Patch Tuesday, this time containing 9 “bulletins“, all of which are either “important” or “critical” – so, kind of a big deal. The second Tuesday of each month is when Microsoft schedules it’s updates for … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-07-06 19:13:17

I missed the weekly round-up last time, as we were suffering through one of the weather-induced power outages in my area. So, this week I threw in a couple more items for your perusal – no extra charge, by the … Continue reading →

‘Google Now’ vs ‘Siri’

Published on 2012-07-05 19:59:57

Apple’s Siri was and is a big deal, as the first serious mass-marketed move towards the sort of “talking computers” we experience in sci-fi stories. Siri appears to have a bit of personality; “she” may joke, and be conversational at … Continue reading →

DNS Changer D-Day

Published on 2012-07-05 18:37:51

So, if you can’t get to www.google.com (or other web pages) on Monday July 9th, chances are you may have been previously infected by the DNS Changer malware. You can check before then at this site.  If you do happen … Continue reading →

Upgrading To Windows 8

Published on 2012-07-04 11:36:12

No, you haven’t missed it; Windows 8 is not out yet – but it’s coming, and Microsoft has announced the upgrade path available to current Windows users. Now, of course, you would want to have fairly recent hardware to be … Continue reading →

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2012-07-04 09:42:11

Q – What does “Wintel” refer to? A – Wintel is a mash up of Windows and Intel, referring to the preponderance of computers based upon Intel chips and and the Windows operating system. That monopoly is waning somewhat, as … Continue reading →

R.I.P. Andy Griffith (1926-2012)

Published on 2012-07-03 19:44:14

I did not grow up in the USA; in the sixties I was a wee red-haired laddie in Scotland. However, I have a good sense of what a touchstone the Andy Griffith Show became for many of the boomer crowd. … Continue reading →

Malware Removal Guide

Published on 2012-07-01 16:14:24

There are plenty of these floating around the Internet; this one is good because a) it has sensible steps and b) it is updated from time to time. It’s a step-by-step guide to removing malware of various kinds, including those … Continue reading →

Lack Of Updates

Published on 2012-07-01 13:44:56

Our power has been out for several days here in Central Ohio, hence the lack of updates – stay tuned…

Google I/O Event Goodies

Published on 2012-06-28 20:34:17

Google I/O an annual event for developers (the smart people who actually make computers DO stuff), and it’s already spawned several noteworthy items. For example, we now know that Project Glass, the eyeglasses/camera/smartphone hybrid thingy will be available next year … Continue reading →

Google Computers Know Cats!

Published on 2012-06-27 18:57:07

So, the story is that Google researchers lashed together 16,000 computers and let them try to “learn” stuff via a bunch of data from Google’s YouTube. The computers thought about it for a while, and came up with…cats. Yep, not … Continue reading →

Fake Antivirus Removal

Published on 2012-06-26 20:11:12

Fake Antivrus programs are a problem, and not always just for novice computer users. They manifest as either a straight scam that gets you to pay them for “fixing” imaginary problems on your computer, or they pretend to be an … Continue reading →

The Tablets Keep On Coming

Published on 2012-06-25 22:34:13

Microsoft just teased us with their Surface tablets, and now word is that not only is a new Kindle Fire is on the way from Amazon, but Google is thought to be bringing out it’s own Nexus tablet too. The … Continue reading →

Apple’s New Malware Awareness

Published on 2012-06-25 11:07:57

Apple has made a small but significant change to their website that may signify a maturing attitude towards malware and their Mac OS X operating system; the website used to say “It doesn’t get PC viruses” – which is still … Continue reading →

An Update For Windows Update?

Published on 2012-06-25 08:20:35

Microsoft has issued an out-of-band patch for the Windows Update mechanism itself. Microsoft usually issues updates on the second Tuesday of each month (Patch Tuesday), but this is an exception. This may cause users to be leery when they see … Continue reading →

There’s Compression, And Then There’s Compression

Published on 2012-06-23 22:44:08

Confusing title, but a curious topic as well. Modern music often has a particular sound quality to it, usually the result of compression – where the sound is processed to alter the way the loud and soft parts are represented, … Continue reading →

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2012-06-23 22:06:01

Q – DVORAK and QUERTY are types of what? A – They are both types of computer keyboard layout. QUERTY is probably what you are using now (named after the first row of alpha keys), but DVORAK is an alternative … Continue reading →

National Park Apps

Published on 2012-06-23 14:30:10

More and more, I find myself thinking “There’s an app for that?” – and not just for silly things like ‘farting’ apps, or ‘make noises like Chewbacca‘ apps. Sometimes the question is asked more in the vein of “Of course, … Continue reading →

Wearable Wireless Devices To Aid In Health Care

Published on 2012-06-23 13:16:54

A new report sees a significant increase in the use of wearable wireless devices to allow monitoring of blood sugar levels and so on. By 2017, one in five wearable wireless electronic devices for the sports and health care market … Continue reading →

Weeky Round-Up

Published on 2012-06-22 21:58:29

So, here is some more stuff from around the ‘net, things that caught my eye during my Internet meandering… Prey – neat software to keep your laptop safer Top 10 Tech Concepts You Always Wanted To Learn About But Never … Continue reading →

How Much Data Every Minute?

Published on 2012-06-22 11:42:33

Well, the Infographic below says it all (click to enlarge). Data courtesy of Domo.

Apple iOS 6 Will Accompany The New iPhone

Published on 2012-06-20 18:32:53

Apple fans need not feel intimidated by all the Microsoft news of the last few days (and I’m sure they don’t), as Apple introduced a new version of it’s iOS operating system to software developers last week. iOS 6 will … Continue reading →

Windows Phone 8: Some Bad News With The Good

Published on 2012-06-20 18:22:33

Fresh off their announcement of a couple of Windows 8 tablet devices, Microsoft quickly followed up with the goods on Windows Phone 8, their new smartphone operating system. It sounds like they are making a real effort to bring some … Continue reading →

Voice Recognition Helps To Transcribe Doctor’s Dictation

Published on 2012-06-19 20:12:12

Doctors, particularly in a hospital setting, often use dictation as a quicker way to document notes and diagnoses of patient cases. The audio data is then rather laboriously transcribed into written notes by trained staff (with a good ear). The … Continue reading →

Microsoft – Beneath The Surface

Published on 2012-06-18 18:54:57

The big event from Microsoft this evening was indeed the announcement of the Surface range of tablet computers, running both Windows 8 RT and Windows 8 Pro. They look pretty cool, too – at least on the surface (sorry). Microsoft

What Is Apple’s ‘Retina Display’?

Published on 2012-06-18 11:56:43

When the new iPad was launched, there was quite a kerfuffle about the new Retina display, which is also present on the iPhone 4. Recent upgrades to the MacBook Pro line of notebooks notably also feature a Retina display, with … Continue reading →

Firefox Update Fixes Wonky Plugin Behavior

Published on 2012-06-18 09:21:25

If you use the Mozilla Firefox web browser, you may have noticed it misbehaving recently (I have seen a couple of weird error messages myself). Apparently, a recent change to the way plugins are handled (those little add-on programs that … Continue reading →

Microsoft Is Making Me Curious

Published on 2012-06-17 12:46:03

The latest substantial rumor is that we may see the introduction of a Microsoft branded tablet computer tomorrow. It also seems likely that it will be designed to run Windows 8, the forthcoming and noticeably different-looking version of Microsoft’s ubiquitous … Continue reading →

A Microsoft Tablet In The Works

Published on 2012-06-16 19:02:31

Microsoft has announced an event Monday, and the majority opinion is that they will announce a Microsoft-branded tablet computer running the Windows 8 operating system. The details will come at the event itself, but it’s thought that this will be … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-06-16 16:40:13

I have a full-time technology job, but I don’t spend all day long on the web. However, I spend enough time “after hours” to run into all kinds of stuff – some may prompt a blog item or a tweet, … Continue reading →

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2012-06-14 19:22:38

Q – MS-DOS was the operating system for the first personal computers. “MS” stands for “Microsoft”, what does “DOS” represent? A – Disk Operating System

Windows Exploit In The Wild, Check Updates

Published on 2012-06-13 23:13:39

Reports are that a just-patched Microsoft Windows security problem is being actively exploited, so please make sure your Windows system (whatever version) is current on it’s Windows updates.  We just had a bunch of security updates issued yesterday (Tuesday), so … Continue reading →

Checks, Debit Cards And Online Banking

Published on 2012-06-12 06:04:30

Something that older Americans still tend to use are paper checks; when you are used to keeping a check registry and referring to it for your running balance, it can be a hard habit to break. Not that it’s a … Continue reading →

Checks, Debit Cards And Online Banking

Published on 2012-06-12 06:04:30

Something that older Americans still tend to use are paper checks; when you are used to keeping a check registry and referring to it for your running balance, it can be a hard habit to break. Not that it’s a … Continue reading →

The ‘DNS Changer’ Deadline

Published on 2012-06-10 10:05:45

You have probably heard about the “DNS Changer” malware and something about a “deadline” – so what’s it all about? Well, DNS refers to the method computers use to figure out which web site you want to go to. Computers … Continue reading →

The ‘DNS Changer’ Deadline

Published on 2012-06-10 10:05:45

You have probably heard about the “DNS Changer” malware and something about a “deadline” – so what’s it all about? Well, DNS refers to the method computers use to figure out which web site you want to go to. Computers … Continue reading →

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2012-06-09 21:29:44

Q – What year did the Apple iPhone first become available? A  – 2007

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2012-06-09 21:29:44

Q – What year did the Apple iPhone first become available? A  – 2007

How Internet Traffic Works

Published on 2012-06-09 18:30:01

This is one of those great videos that takes a complex subject and boils it down to a short (3 minute) presentation that makes you go “Wow!”.

How Internet Traffic Works

Published on 2012-06-09 18:30:01

This is one of those great videos that takes a complex subject and boils it down to a short (3 minute) presentation that makes you go “Wow!”.

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-06-09 14:26:20

Once more around the Web, as I bring you a short list of some items that caught my eye – either silly or serious, some on-topic, some not. Just a look at what caught my attention in the past week… … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-06-09 14:26:20

Once more around the Web, as I bring you a short list of some items that caught my eye – either silly or serious, some on-topic, some not. Just a look at what caught my attention in the past week… … Continue reading →

Bing And Britannica Bring It

Published on 2012-06-09 12:18:58

Microsoft’s Bing search engine has partnered with Encyclopedia Britannica to include Britannica Online answers in Bing’s search results. Britannica was the oldest continuously printed English-language encyclopedia until this March, when it announced it would become online-only. The partnership should bring … Continue reading →

Bing And Britannica Bring It

Published on 2012-06-09 12:18:58

Microsoft’s Bing search engine has partnered with Encyclopedia Britannica to include Britannica Online answers in Bing’s search results. Britannica was the oldest continuously printed English-language encyclopedia until this March, when it announced it would become online-only. The partnership should bring … Continue reading →

Another Adobe Flash Security Update

Published on 2012-06-08 21:31:27

Hey, guess what kids? There’s another security update for Adobe’s Flash player! I guess we should be grateful that they continue to patch it, but my gosh… The update is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux operating systems. … Continue reading →

Another Adobe Flash Security Update

Published on 2012-06-08 21:31:27

Hey, guess what kids? There’s another security update for Adobe’s Flash player! I guess we should be grateful that they continue to patch it, but my gosh… The update is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux operating systems. … Continue reading →

Patch Tuesday Ahoy!

Published on 2012-06-08 19:33:30

It’s almost that time of the month again folks, and this time only there are three critical and four important updates. So, if you have not already done so, please make sure your Windows Update is set to download and … Continue reading →

Patch Tuesday Ahoy!

Published on 2012-06-08 19:33:30

It’s almost that time of the month again folks, and this time only there are three critical and four important updates. So, if you have not already done so, please make sure your Windows Update is set to download and … Continue reading →

SANS Ouch! June 2012: What Is The Cloud?

Published on 2012-06-08 10:03:43

The SANS Institute publishes monthly newsletters on computing and security-related topics, presented in a user-friendly manner. This month’s edition discusses “The Cloud” in plain language. English Version http://www.securingthehuman.org/newsletters/ouch/issues/OUCH-201206_en.pdf Translations and Archives http://www.securingthehuman.org/resources/newsletters/ouch

SANS Ouch! June 2012: Using ‘The Cloud’ Safely?

Published on 2012-06-08 10:03:43

The SANS Institute publishes monthly newsletters on computing and security-related topics, presented in a user-friendly manner. This month’s edition discusses using “The Cloud” safely. English Version http://www.securingthehuman.org/newsletters/ouch/issues/OUCH-201206_en.pdf Translations and Archives http://www.securingthehuman.org/resources/newsletters/ouch

Another Prepaid iPhone Deal

Published on 2012-06-07 20:54:10

Following closely on the recent announcement by Cricket (Leap Wireless) of a pre-paid (no contract) iPhone, Virgin Mobile jumps into the fray with a more expensive up-front cost, but smaller monthly premiums and bit better national coverage. ArsTechnica

LinkedIn Password Hack Fallout

Published on 2012-06-06 20:57:55

A couple of observations following the revelation of a substantial theft of LinkedIn passwords. LinkedIn, because it represents “real” data about you, your career and business connections, is a particularly unfortunate victim of this kind of hack. First, reports are … Continue reading →

How-to Quickie: Chrome Privacy Settings

Published on 2012-06-06 19:47:49

A quick look at the basic privacy settings for the Google Chrome browser, one of several short videos available at Youtube.com/Howtoquickies

LinkedIn Passwords Leaked

Published on 2012-06-06 18:18:32

Social Media and Job Networking site LinkedIn has confirmed that leaks of account password information has occurred – see their blog entry here. LinkedIn is not ‘fessing up so far as to the scope of the problem, but I know … Continue reading →

Microsoft , AARP And Personal Health Records

Published on 2012-06-05 20:10:45

Microsoft and the AARP have got together to offer a PHR (Personal Health Records) management system called “AARP Health Record”, which they hope will be a part of a larger vision to provide online tools and services to better manage … Continue reading →

How-to Quickie: Firefox Privacy Settings

Published on 2012-06-05 19:12:20

Here is a quick video look at some basic privacy settings in the Firefox web browser. See more “How-to Quickies” at Oldgoat’s YouTube Channel  

Microsoft Security Update Issued Early

Published on 2012-06-05 11:10:12

As you probably know, Microsoft issues it’s security updates on a schedule. The second Tuesday of each month is referred to as “Patch Tuesday” – this helps businesses plan for the testing and deployment of security updates. However, this past … Continue reading →

Plugged In Boomers

Published on 2012-06-04 13:04:49

From the AARP – Boomers online in 2012:

Mac OS Free Software Roundup

Published on 2012-06-04 11:49:23

For you Mac lovers on a budget, Gizmo’s Freeware has an updated list of free Mac OS software in various categories. Techsupportalert Many software solutions for OS X are paid options that allow certain functionalities. The goal of this group … Continue reading →

US Schools Need More Bandwidth

Published on 2012-06-04 09:10:31

Apart from everything else that US Schools seem to need to try to keep up with the rest of the world, apparently computer network bandwidth is also pretty high on that list. Think of bandwidth as water in a pipe … Continue reading →

Rigid Plastic Packaging Is The Devil!

Published on 2012-06-04 08:34:57

We have all been through it; trying to remove those stiff, unyielding (and sharp-edged) clear plastic packaging “shells” that manufacturers seem to have fallen in love with lately. It’s like spending 30 minutes trying to open a coconut, only to … Continue reading →

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2012-06-03 20:46:41

Q – What  is “Patch Tuesday”, and how often does it occur? A – “Patch Tuesday” occurs the second Tuesday of each month, when Microsoft issues security updates for Windows and other Microsoft products. The specific schedule is primarily to … Continue reading →

A Brave New “Super-Abled” World?

Published on 2012-06-03 19:32:51

The concept of a super-abled human, in this case perhaps aided by electronic or mechanical means, seems to be pretty close to being realized as this article for the Wall St Journal discusses. Imagine your brain “enhanced” by digital circuitry, … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-06-03 09:56:43

A busy weekend, so a little tardy with the weekly round-up – but here we are again; a quick look around the web to things that caught my eye in the past week. Free Gong Button – It’s a gong … Continue reading →

Search Engine Privacy

Published on 2012-06-02 08:49:18

Search engines (Google, Yahoo!, Bing, etc) give you search results based upon their interpretation of what you are searching for by the words that you enter, but also from previous searches you have made. They also log the search results … Continue reading →

Pssst, Wanna Prepaid iPhone?

Published on 2012-05-31 11:13:05

The Apple iPhone is a very popular product, to put it mildly. Until now, though, you had to get one through a major carrier and sign up for a long-term contract. However, Leap Wireless (“Cricket”) is going to start offering … Continue reading →

Just For Fun

Published on 2012-05-29 19:47:06

DOHS Keywords Made Public

Published on 2012-05-29 19:27:39

The Department Of Homeland Security “monitors” social media sites, and a list of their keywords is now available thanks to a Freedom of Information Act filing. It’s an open secret that this was going on, it’s just a bit depressing … Continue reading →

Video Codec Malware

Published on 2012-05-29 11:51:22

You may be aware that some types of video files need special “codecs” to be able to view them properly on your Windows computer. Video files are often heavily compressed to save space, and some specific codecs can be required … Continue reading →

A Chinese Fox In Our Hen House?

Published on 2012-05-28 19:45:00

Researchers claim to have found a “backdoor” in a Chinese-manufactured chip used by the US military. A backdoor in software terms is just what it sounds like – a hidden or surreptitious method of accessing the component; an emergency way  … Continue reading →

Opera And Facebook Sitting In A Tree?

Published on 2012-05-28 15:11:28

The “word on the street” is that Facebook may be in negotiations to purchase Norwegian-based browser Opera. The Opera browser is well-liked, but usually falls behind Internet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox in terms of the number of users, at least … Continue reading →

How Do Smartphones Know Up And Down?

Published on 2012-05-27 19:50:47

If you have a smartphone or a tablet or have seen people use them, you have probably seen the neat trick where the device “knows” what way you are holding it; you hold it upright and the display is correctly … Continue reading →

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2012-05-26 19:38:51

Q – Which side of a CD or DVD is is more susceptible to damage by scratches? A – The label side will actually cause more problems is it is scratched. The underside can actually cope quite well with minor … Continue reading →

MIT And The Ketchup Bottle

Published on 2012-05-26 16:24:28

There was a need and they saw it, and now the wizards at MIT have put their considerable talents into bringing us – a better ketchup bottle!  What they have come up with is a food-safe superhydrophobic coating for the … Continue reading →

Twitter’s “Do Not Track” – What Is It?

Published on 2012-05-26 11:26:32

Micro blogging site Twitter has announced it is supporting the “Do Not Track” feature of the Mozilla Firefox browser – but what does that mean? Most websites use “cookies”; they are tiny text files created by interactions between the browser … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-05-26 09:59:27

Another look at some items that caught my eye this past week, as I wandered around the Internet… World’s Coolest Alarm Clocks – “cool alarm clock” is an odd concept… What Is English Anyway? - cute video, factual but also amusing … Continue reading →

Cisco Has A Tablet??

Published on 2012-05-26 06:17:40

Cisco makes of a lot of the hardware that runs networks and the Internet; routers, switches and so on – to the extent that most IT folk will assume you are using Cisco equipment until you tell them otherwise. Cisco … Continue reading →

How About A Wireless “Body Area Network”?

Published on 2012-05-24 18:31:04

The IEEE is the body that oversees networking standards, among other things. The latest standard, IEEE 802.15.6-2012, defines wireless communications in and around the human body. MarketWatch IEEE 802.15.6-2012 specifies a short range, low power, and reliable wireless communication protocol for … Continue reading →

What Is A “QR Code”?

Published on 2012-05-23 20:54:43

QR Codes (Quick Response Codes) are popping up all over the place, and have moved out from the manufacturing arena to everyday commercial use. They are simply a type of bar code, although they can represent more data than the … Continue reading →

Nvidia Kai – A New Tablet Platform To Take On Kindle Fire

Published on 2012-05-23 18:43:56

Major tech company Nvidia has a new “reference” tablet design (a hardware configuration upon which others will build their own branded products), with a quad core CPU that should cost around $200. The new “Kai” platform will run the current … Continue reading →

Microsoft Soundwave, Another Gesture-Based Interface

Published on 2012-05-21 19:19:15

The move to gesture-based computer interfaces seems to be marching on at a good clip; not only does Microsoft have a PC version of their X-Box Kinect available (although with little software using it yet), but apparently they are also … Continue reading →

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2012-05-20 19:31:57

Q – Since the first version of Apple’s OS X operating system, they have come with “big cat” nicknames. What big cat was the first version (OS X 10.0) named after? A – Apple OS X 10.0 was called “Cheetah”

What Is A VPN, Anyway?

Published on 2012-05-20 16:49:40

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a way of protecting your computer data during transmission from point A to point B by using VPN software. It can do this over a wired or wireless network connection. When your are connected … Continue reading →

AMA Requests Delay In Implementing New Billing Codes

Published on 2012-05-20 12:40:39

As you may know, billing codes are used by doctors and insurance companies when processing medical claims. The codes allow a common “language” across all sectors of the health care industry, and are perhaps even more useful in an era … Continue reading →

OpenSignalMaps – Cell Phone Coverage Maps

Published on 2012-05-19 13:40:40

This a rather interesting idea involving “crowdsourcing” (in this case, gathering data from a lot of individuals) and should give pretty current cell phone coverage reports on most sizable metropolitan areas for the major carriers. Opensignalmaps This data is collected … Continue reading →

Windows Phone Update

Published on 2012-05-19 13:16:41

For those of you with Windows phones running version 7 of the software, Microsoft is advising you to upgrade to version 7.5 as soon as possible, particularly if you want to still be able to access the “Marketplace” (where you … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-05-18 22:06:27

Here we go, on another “once around the Web” as I list a few items that caught my eye over this past week – could be funny, could be weird, you never know… A great time waster – hint, move … Continue reading →

RealPlayer Security Update – Really?

Published on 2012-05-18 16:09:41

I thought honestly RealPlayer was defunct, but apparently not. There is a new version out that fixes some security issues – but folks, my personal opinion would be to uninstall that sucker asap, unless you have a “very most favorite” … Continue reading →

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) – Huh?

Published on 2012-05-17 22:07:48

You may have heard the term “Cross-Site Scripting”, also shortened to “XSS”, but it likely got caught by your “geeky stuff” filter. It’s a very common method of screwing with your computer, often to get hold of your data and/or … Continue reading →

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2012-05-17 19:39:27

Q - What science fiction writer wrote the three laws of robotics? A- Isaac Asimov, who also wrote many books and short stories developing the themes and issues raised by the possible integration of robots into human society

Credit Card Heart Monitor

Published on 2012-05-17 19:07:39

Another look at the shape of things to come in medicine; a credit card sized  heart monitor that allows individuals to perform an electrocardiogram with a couple of thumb presses. The data can be transferred to a smart phone or … Continue reading →

Google Drive And Docs Tutorial

Published on 2012-05-16 20:19:51

Google Docs, and more recently Google Drive, are cloud offerings that allow you to store your data and to also create and edit documents “in the cloud”. The good folks at GCF LearnFree have a new tutorial covering both products … Continue reading →

Microsoft Signature PCs

Published on 2012-05-15 20:53:20

If you purchased a new Windows computer in the last few years, you may be aware that many (most?) manufacturers load them up with “value add” items; software of various kinds, usually limited time trial versions. The willy-nilly installation of … Continue reading →

Display Technologies – The Quick Non-Geek Version

Published on 2012-05-15 19:08:28

I’ll state right now that I am not an expert on all kinds of media technology – but I thought it would be helpful to strain my brain and explain a few commonly-used terms to make browsing the store websites … Continue reading →

Some Apple Security Kudos

Published on 2012-05-15 17:23:52

I can get kind of grumpy about Apple and it’s seemingly lackadaisical attitude towards security matters at times – but props to them in this case: Apple is releasing a “Flashback” trojan fix for users with Mac OS X 10.5 … Continue reading →

A Windows 8 Upgrade for $15 – Would You Do It?

Published on 2012-05-14 19:35:28

Microsoft is making it known that starting around June, you can purchase an upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 8 for $15 US. This is not that unusual, as it lessens the impact of people “waiting” to buy a new … Continue reading →

Apple Security Updates For OS X and Safari

Published on 2012-05-14 14:44:48

Apple has released security updates for it’s OS X operating system (both the current “Lion” 10.7.x version and the older 10.6.8 version), as well as it’s Safari web browser. The updates also affect the Windows version of the Safari browser. … Continue reading →

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2012-05-13 09:40:51

Q -What avant-garde keyboardist composed the Windows 95 start-up sound? A – Brian Eno (of Roxy Music, etc). Really!

All The Cool Doctors Have One

Published on 2012-05-12 08:49:33

A tablet computer, that is. Apparently about 62% of US doctors now have them, up from 35% last year – and the Apple models are preferred pretty overwhelmingly (75%). However, a smaller number of these are actually being used to … Continue reading →

3 Great Resources For Elderly Computer Users

Published on 2012-05-12 08:09:21

Older people who approach computing for the first time need a special kind of hand-holding. In truth, this kind of thing is probably best done one-on-one with a loved one, where the stress is low and the older “newbie” won’t … Continue reading →

Computer Viruses – How They Have Evolved

Published on 2012-05-12 06:58:44

This infographic from Trend Micro shows the changing motivations of the people who write and distribute computer viruses, from the 80′s to today. Click to see bigger view:

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-05-11 21:32:14

Another small collection of goodies and oddities from around the Internet – things that caught my eye over the last week. Thermostat protein could help burn off the flab  - ooh, ooh! Now that is a rock-solid PC – cute, … Continue reading →

3 Free Tech Treats For Mom

Published on 2012-05-11 11:09:58

Mothers Day is on deck and here are three *free* things you can do for Mom to make her life a little easier: 1 – Set up Mom on Facebook, walk though using the web site and help her connect … Continue reading →

How-To Quickie: Hotspot Shield VPN

Published on 2012-05-11 00:08:02

Hotspot Shield is available as a free or paid version (the free version is ad-supported). What this and other VPN clients provide is a more secure way of using public WiFi hotspots. In particular, it “scrambles” your network traffic using … Continue reading →

Hotel Networks Serving Up Malware

Published on 2012-05-10 22:33:56

For those of you traveling abroad, the FBI has a friendly warning: the bad guys are using compromised hotel networks to trick customers into installing malware in the guise of software updates. Kind of a clever idea, if you think … Continue reading →

Random Technology Triva

Published on 2012-05-10 22:14:29

Q – What do the letters “MS” represent in MSNBC? A – Microsoft

Passwords; The New Thinking

Published on 2012-05-10 19:44:45

Passwords are a pain in the butt – I know it and you probably know it, but they are here to stay until they come up with something better (and they will, no doubt). The mantra has always been “more … Continue reading →

Patch Your Computer – Patch It!

Published on 2012-05-08 14:49:39

Microsoft Windows users should make sure their systems are updated overnight as “Patch Tuesday” is with us again. This one has  at least a couple of “critical” fixes on deck, and covers not only Windows but also Microsoft Office and … Continue reading →

New LED Lamps To Make A Splash This Summer

Published on 2012-05-08 11:44:35

A startup company will be launching a line of liquid cooled LED lamps this summer, initially for commercial customers but with consumer-oriented versions to follow. Switch Lighting’s lamp design is unusual and is intended to give a more pleasing “incandescent-like”" quality of … Continue reading →

Google And Oracle Get Down And Dirty

Published on 2012-05-07 21:51:14

A partial verdict in the Oracle vs Google copyright infringement case sounds at first blush like Oracle has the upper hand with a unanimous verdict against Google on one of the counts; but a closer look shows the possibility of a mistrial … Continue reading →

Google Moving Ahead With Autonomous Vehicles

Published on 2012-05-07 19:04:42

The huge (and perhaps coincidentally, mostly empty) state of Nevada has agreed to Google’s application for a license to test their “self drive” cars on it’s public roads. There are some precautions of course; there have to be at least … Continue reading →

Touché – Impressive Touch Sensor Technology From Disney Research

Published on 2012-05-06 17:33:13

I’ll be honest, I didn’t know the Mouse House had a research division that worked on stuff like this! The video below is impressive, and opens up a lot of interesting  possibilities for future interactive technologies. Touché proposes a novel … Continue reading →

How-To Quickie: Scheduling With Defraggler

Published on 2012-05-06 09:15:49

Defraggler is one of many free disk defragmentation utilities for Windows, and I have mentioned it here several times before (because I use it myself). Defragmenting a computer hard drive is a lot like going in and reorganizing your file … Continue reading →

Firefox Click-To-Play Security Feature

Published on 2012-05-05 21:19:19

The word is that Mozilla will be introducing “click-to-play” for browser plugins in Firefox 14 (we are currently on Firefox 12). All that means is that if a web site has a Flash or Java plugin, it won’t run unless … Continue reading →

If Your Computer Gets Hacked, You Are In Good Company

Published on 2012-05-05 07:38:43

If you are unfortunate enough to succumb to an infection on your computer (despite me trying to give you good advice!), then you are certainly not alone, and indeed are in a dubious “club” with a LOT of you’d-think-they-would-know-better victims. … Continue reading →

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2012-05-05 07:14:58

Q – Did the original Sony PlayStation use CDs or cartridges to play games? A – The original PlayStation used CDs

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-05-04 21:21:40

Here is another short collection of bits and pieces that caught my attention for various reasons during the past week or; I didn’t mention them as individual items,  they are collected here for your edification and amusement. Windows 7 Diffusion … Continue reading →

Another Internet Explorer Flash Player Exploit In The Wild

Published on 2012-05-04 18:59:42

Another Adobe Flash player exploit affecting Internet Explorer users is “in the wild” and Windows users should check ASAP to see if they need to update. Affected versions and remediation suggestions below, from the Adobe advisory. Adobe Flash Player 11.2.202.233 … Continue reading →

A Smartphone That Smacks Of “Jitterbug”

Published on 2012-05-03 21:32:05

Doro is launching a “simple to use” Smartphone geared towards older users. The Android-powered 3G slider phone has “large and clear” icons, and other features for old farts us Boomers and beyond. Sounds a bit like a souped up Jitterbug … Continue reading →

Baby Boomers The Vanguard For “Wireless Health”

Published on 2012-05-03 19:15:06

“Wireless Health” is yet another moniker for the concept of managing health care costs for older consumers by improving and expanding home monitoring, allowing us to stay out of nursing homes longer. Marketwatch Early adopters of wireless health will come … Continue reading →

Computers, Facebook And Keep On Learning

Published on 2012-05-02 19:47:01

One of the downsides of old age can be feeling disconnected, isolated or left out, and there is always the challenge of keeping your mind active. Some seniors can find solutions in learning to use computers, and then getting on … Continue reading →

Windfarms Are Now The Devil!

Published on 2012-05-01 20:50:45

Sorry, just flirting with sensational headlines. It always bemuses/amuses me how we to love to build things (and people) up, and then relish tearing them down again. In this case, windfarms – collections of electricity-generating windmills – are getting a … Continue reading →

Electronic Medical Records

Published on 2012-05-01 19:22:44

The shift is definitely on to embrace the use of electronic data in medicine, it’s largely a question of how it will be implemented. Supporters tout cost savings and safety as two major benefits. Electronic health records are expected to improve … Continue reading →

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2012-04-30 19:31:04

Q -Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and…? A – Bill Gates and Paul Allen

Tech Support For Seniors

Published on 2012-04-29 11:23:23

In what is probably a crafty marketing ploy, the “Geek Squad” and AARP have teamed up to provide a support package targeting seniors. Without getting into the whole “Geek Squad good/Geek Squad inept” argument, I can’t really say if this … Continue reading →

Hotmail Password Security, Similar Issues With Yahoo!, AOL

Published on 2012-04-28 15:54:14

The Hacker News reports similar problems with Yahoo! and AOL mail accounts to those recently affecting Hotmail. The problem is reportedly now fixed in Hotmail, but could allow unscrupulous folk to change the email account passwords pretty easily, using “hacker … Continue reading →

Rock of Ages

Published on 2012-04-28 15:28:50

My wife pointed this out to me, and it’s pretty hypnotic; a slide show that compares “then and now” photos of a couple of dozen well-known rockers, faces that baby boomers will likely be very familiar with – at least … Continue reading →

Random Technology Trivia

Published on 2012-04-28 14:05:28

Q -What piece of futuristic technology said; “My instructor was Mr. Langley, and he taught me to sing a song. If you’d like to hear it, I can sing it for you.” A – The HAL 9000 computer in the … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-04-28 11:01:05

A weekly round-up of things that caught my eye or tickled my funny bone over the past week or so. They may not all be new items, but they were new to me… Netherlands in May – wow, it’s purty … Continue reading →

CISPA – Questions and Answers

Published on 2012-04-27 16:27:16

The pending CISPA legislation (Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act) is causing some heartburn among strange bedfellows; Liberals, Libertarians and Conservatives alike have expressed concern over it’s provisions and the effects it could have on privacy related to Internet activity. … Continue reading →

Technology Trivia #3

Published on 2012-04-26 21:28:17

Q – How did the “Wikipedia” name come about? A – pedia is from encyclopedia, and wiki is a Hawaiian word meaning “fast” or “quick”.

How-to Quickie: NoScript Addon For Firefox Browser

Published on 2012-04-26 19:36:40

Firefox is one of several modern web browsers whose functionality can be extended by “addons”, little “app-like” programs that can do various things. In this case, we are looking at “NoScript”, which does pretty much what the name suggests – … Continue reading →

Technology Trivia #2

Published on 2012-04-25 21:05:49

Q – What was the first computer with a Graphical User Interface (GUI)? A – It was a Xerox model, w-a-y back in 1982 (they also were first to use a mouse commercially)

Microsoft Security Essentials 4.0

Published on 2012-04-25 19:41:42

Microsoft has released version 4.0 of their free Security Essentials anti-virus software. Version 4 is available here, and one of the improvements (apart from bugs fixes and general improvements) is that the product will now update itself via Windows Update … Continue reading →

A Couple Of Firefox Notes

Published on 2012-04-25 16:04:15

For those of you who use the Mozilla Firefox browser, I have a couple of little nuggets for you. First, if you are using Firefox 3.6 – it’s officially not supported any more, so go ahead and install the newer version already! … Continue reading →

A Flurry Of Cloud Storage Activity

Published on 2012-04-24 21:19:39

It’s been a rather hectic couple of days in the area of cloud storage and file synchronization, with the focus specifically on announcements regarding Microsoft’s SkyDrive and now Google’s Google Drive. Google Drive appears to be very much like DropBox in overall … Continue reading →

Apps For The Elderly

Published on 2012-04-24 16:13:35

In a youth-oriented culture like the US, not a lot of thought was typically given to older users of technology – the need was not even really obvious. We may be getting into a time where things are starting to … Continue reading →

Technology Trivia #1

Published on 2012-04-23 21:19:13

Q – What does “PDF” stand for? A – “PDF” means “Portable Document Format”, a cross-platform method of displaying documents created by Adobe in 1993.

3D Printing … Of Medicines?

Published on 2012-04-22 17:12:48

In an unusual and interesting discovery at the University of Glasgow (Scotland!), Professor Lee Cronin has published a method for using “3D-printing” to produce medicines. By taking out the middleman between the patient and the drugs they need, the cost … Continue reading →

More Health Care Data Compromised

Published on 2012-04-22 16:35:53

An Atlanta, GA health system has ‘fessed up to possibly exposing the electronic medical records of over 300,ooo patients. This time, it was not a case where servers had been hacked – instead, 10 backup disks are “missing” from a … Continue reading →

How-to Quickie: Setting Windows 7 Clock Time Zones

Published on 2012-04-22 13:29:04

In Windows 7, you can easily add on or two additional clocks to the existing one, to show different times zones – handy if you have friends or relatives in different parts of the world. See the “How-to Quickie” video … Continue reading →

The Retirement Bottom Line

Published on 2012-04-22 11:28:14

We all know things ain’t what they used to be as far as retiring comfortably after your working career is over. When the US social safety nets like Medicare and Social Security were put in place, statistically speaking most retirees … Continue reading →

Hi-Tech Tattle-Tales

Published on 2012-04-21 16:52:33

A lot of monitoring-type technology has pros and cons; on the one hand, the monitoring is typically done for a good purpose; on the other, there are often privacy concerns. A good example is “Driving Safely”, a technology being developed … Continue reading →

FDA Feels Nanotechnology Health Effects Unknown

Published on 2012-04-21 14:58:39

Nanotechnology – the design and use of materials with particle sizes in the one billionth of a meter range – may have unknown health effects, and need further scrutiny, according to the US Food and Drug Administration. It is used … Continue reading →

FCC “Bill Shock” Website Helps Wireless Customers

Published on 2012-04-21 11:56:25

This is rather interesting; the Federal Communications Commission has a new website aimed at helping wireless customers keep track of “unexpected charges” that sometimes find their way onto our montly bills. Basically, who tacks on what – and when and … Continue reading →

Aging Services Technologies And Elder Care

Published on 2012-04-21 07:58:54

Aging Services Technologies (AST) is one of the terms used to describe the move to provide technology-based solutions to the problems of elder care – predominantly monitoring and communication. The thinking is that by allowing older adults to stay in … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-04-20 22:35:49

Once around the ‘net again – another look at items that tickled my eyes in the past week or so. They may be silly, weird, interesting or dumb – but they ended up here, for your amusement or information. Enjoy. … Continue reading →

Cadillac Super Cruise

Published on 2012-04-20 16:05:43

Google has their “self driving” car; Cadillac has “Super Cruise“, a package of safety features being worked on that can provide assistance in emergency situations, where humans are presumably just being too silly or inattentive to cope with it all.  Cadillac currently … Continue reading →

Hey, Let’s Make A Fake Instagram App For Android!

Published on 2012-04-20 13:05:52

See, the thing about the Malware guys is that they are not so dumb. They jump on topical things as a way to worm their way into your heart (and your data). For example, “Instagram” is being talked about a … Continue reading →

Safer Browsing By Managing Plugins

Published on 2012-04-19 20:06:16

It should be apparent by now, even to those with just a passing interest in “technology news”, that no operating systems are immune to malware infection; not Windows, not OS X, not Linux. There are degrees of exposure, but if … Continue reading →

The “Bell Labs” Approach To Streamlined Health Care

Published on 2012-04-19 12:18:11

Once again, an interesting article dealing with the concept that applying technology to health care will be the most helpful way to try to manage costs and streamline services so that aging baby boomers can survive their retirement, without resorting … Continue reading →

R.I.P. Dick Clark

Published on 2012-04-19 08:42:38

Another baby boomer icon, Dick Clark, has passed away. Younger readers may only remember him for the “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” shows every December 31st, including the past few years when his appearances were shortened because of the effects of … Continue reading →

How-to Quickie: CCleaner File Removal

Published on 2012-04-18 18:47:34

CCleaner is a free utility for Windows that can help clean up junk files from your computer, among other things.  You may be shocked how many bits and pieces are just laying around your computer. This short video tutorial on … Continue reading →

Good Night, Sweet Passwords

Published on 2012-04-17 21:45:42

I posted recently about the necessary evil of passwords, and how to manage them more easily with a “password safe”. How about not having to bother with them at all? The folks at DARPA (the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) … Continue reading →

When Baby Boomers Finally Do Retire…

Published on 2012-04-15 16:15:33

… they are likely not looking for shuffleboard courts, small kitchens and tiny closets. Many Baby Boomer retirees are looking for something a bit more in keeping with their lifestyle – granite counter tops and wireless Internet access. So says … Continue reading →

A Media Center PC On The Cheap

Published on 2012-04-15 10:37:03

A Media Center PC is a pretty cool item, and it’s not hard to make one from a re-purposed computer that you may have laying around. I just completed one using my daughter’s old computer, and this article is a … Continue reading →

The Coming Baby Boomer Bust

Published on 2012-04-14 19:01:43

Writer Steve Vernon puts it out there in the article “Who will take care of us in our old age?“. In the coming years, baby boomers are projected to swamp the U.S. health care system, first with diseases of old … Continue reading →

How-to Quickie: KeePass Password Safe

Published on 2012-04-14 18:40:39

Passwords are a necessary evil, and we are stuck with them until we can come up with something better. You are probably aware that your passwords should be different (don’t use one password for everything) and complex (“h73$&IEDs2@x” rather that … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-04-13 22:57:55

Join me, please, as I lay some links on you. These gems caught my eye this past week (they may not be from the past week, but that’s when I saw ‘em) … anyhoo, enjoy! c-c-c-c-c-c-Congo Breaker – pretty “punny” … Continue reading →

Apple Flashback Malware Offical Fix

Published on 2012-04-13 22:20:54

Apple OS X users out there should perform a software update check in order to take advantage of the newly-released Flashback malware fix. Get the skinny here from CNET.

How-to Quickie: Ninite.com Installer

Published on 2012-04-13 21:37:40

I was reminded about the very wonderful Ninite.com by former work colleague, current FB friend, and all-around good guy John C. This short video tutorial on using Ninite is also available on OldGoat’s slowly growing YouTube Channel at Youtube.com/howtoquickies

Happy Birthday, Windows 3.1

Published on 2012-04-13 08:34:21

Windows 3.1, which some of you may still remember with fondness and/or horror, is 20 years old this month. Before Windows, Microsoft supplied MS-DOS as it’s computer Operating System. Windows put a “face” to the command-line foundation of MS-DOS, making … Continue reading →

Stephen Hawking And The iBrain

Published on 2012-04-12 20:25:00

Dr. Stephen Hawking, the famous physicist, still has a brilliant mind but is increasingly trapped inside his crippled body. As a long-time victim of “Lou Gehrig’s Disease” or ALS, he struggles more and more each year to get his thoughts … Continue reading →

Word Lens App For iPhone

Published on 2012-04-12 15:09:14

This is a demonstration of a currently available App (software application) for the iPhone, and as you can see it actually does something quite useful. What a concept! Now, I suspect the reality and the demonstration may not be quite … Continue reading →

How-to Quickie: CCleaner Startup Programs

Published on 2012-04-10 20:43:43

CCleaner is a free utility for Windows that can help clean up junk files from your computer, among other things – like allowing you to edit which programs start up with Windows. Software bundled with a new PC tends to … Continue reading →

Electronic Medical Records Are Great, But…

Published on 2012-04-10 18:41:54

Network security is big business, and companies and other entities go to great lengths to assure us they conform to the highest security standards, and that they realize how important our data is, and so on. Yet we continue to … Continue reading →

Ted Talks – Juan Enriquez: Tech evolution

Published on 2012-04-09 20:15:23

When I was a young ‘un – and it was not THAT long ago – there were no personal computers, cell phones, myoelectric artificial limbs, etc., etc. So what? Well, all these advancements are going somewhere, and Juan Enriquez addresses … Continue reading →

Microsoft Patch Tuesday To Include Several Critical Updates

Published on 2012-04-08 19:07:42

This month, several items in this latest batch of security updates are rated “critical” by Microsoft – affecting not only Windows, but other Microsoft products, including Office. If you have not already done so, please make sure your Windows Update … Continue reading →

Old Goat Guide On Facebook

Published on 2012-04-08 11:42:41

I have an Old Goat Guide Facebook Page, and while much of it refers to material on this blog, there is a fair bit of additional content on there also. If there is an article of interest, particularly those related … Continue reading →

Spring Cleaning Your PC

Published on 2012-04-07 22:43:16

It’s the time of year when we traditionally freshen things up and get rid of clutter, to better enjoy the coming summer. Sounds like an excuse for a PC cleaning article! The suggestions below are mostly to do with cleaning … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-04-06 19:49:06

Step right up, step right up! Another heaping helping of stuff I came across during my misguided meanderings across the tangled web that is the Internet. Silly, weird, cool – it’s all the same to me… 10 Absolutely Genius Ideas … Continue reading →

How Many Updates Are Enough?

Published on 2012-04-05 18:33:49

Well, if you are Adobe Flash Player, how about an average of one per month since the initial release of version 10.1 in June of 2010? That’s a lot of updates for a single product, and it speaks to the … Continue reading →

New iPad Is Just Peachy, So There!

Published on 2012-04-02 20:36:22

Despite a recent spate of grumblings about various aspects of the new iPad (it’s too hot, the display looks yellow, the battery meter is wonky, it’s not really 4G, etc.), it’s flying off the shelves at least as well as … Continue reading →

Visa, Mastercard Credit Card Processor Hacked

Published on 2012-04-01 14:19:14

Security researcher and blogger Brian Krebs broke a story late last week about a rather large security breach at Global Payments, an Atlanta, GA-based credit card processing company. The details are still trickling out, and hopefully an announced press conference … Continue reading →

f.lux Maintains A Pleasing Display Automatically

Published on 2012-03-31 12:35:20

Tired old eyes can be irritated when your laptop or computer screen is glaring at you in the evening. You can certainly adjust the settings manually, but I find I often don’t realize the thing is affecting me until, well, … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-03-31 10:26:01

Here is another weekly look at stuff that caught my eye during the last few days, either annoying, weird, funny, or just kinda cool. Sand Flea Jumping Robot – from those wacky brainiacs at Boston Dynamics The History of April … Continue reading →

Smart Dude Gets 2011 Artificial Intelligence Award

Published on 2012-03-28 22:18:48

An Artificial Intelligence (AI) expert whose work has helped Apple’s Siri “digital assistant” and Google’s driver-less car, has been named as winner of the 2011 Turing Award. Judea Pearl won the award for “advances in probabilistic and causal reasoning” – the “nuts … Continue reading →

5 Ways To Uninstall Stubborn Windows Programs

Published on 2012-03-25 19:32:02

You may have come across this before; you try to uninstall a program from your Windows computer and the uninstall process fails for some reason – often with a cryptic error message. It’s annoying, and I have had to deal … Continue reading →

Steering Wheel Feedback For Safer Navigation?

Published on 2012-03-25 17:35:02

You may have been driving along the highway and noticed those “rumble strips”; patterns cut into the pavement that produce vibration and noise to bring your attention to a safety condition. Similarly, if you have ever played a “sit in” … Continue reading →

Backups, Disk Images And File Synchronization

Published on 2012-03-24 16:36:41

Backups are an important part of one’s “digital life”. The fact is that no matter how cool or well-made your computing device is, it will break at some point. Solid state or flash drives – they can break too, don’t … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-03-23 21:28:50

Weekly Round-Up time  – another week consigned to the vault of history, and another selection of flotsam and jetsam from my Internet travels, some interesting, some silly, some just plain weird… Researchers prove that memories reside in specific brain cells … Continue reading →

Computer Security: The Weakest Link Is…Us

Published on 2012-03-23 17:58:51

The sad fact about computer security is even if we conscientiously patch and fuss with our computer devices in an attempt to keep them safe and secure from outside attacks (and a lot of us don’t), we are still subject … Continue reading →

Secunia PSI Keeps Software Updated

Published on 2012-03-23 11:52:03

I do tend to nag a bit on this blog about keeping your version of Microsoft Windows up to date as far as patches, etc. I also mention the need to keep your other software updated; there is big money … Continue reading →

IBM’s Watson – What It’s Really For

Published on 2012-03-22 19:52:14

IBM’s Watson supercomputer was a very novel (and effective) Jeopardy! contestant  – but of course that was not why IBM developed the thing. One of the objectives was to make an easy-to-use interface to allow access to the immense power … Continue reading →

Emotional Benefits Of Facebook

Published on 2012-03-22 19:07:07

Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, et al) has become a ubiquitous part of many peoples’ lives over the last several years, and in some ways it can be helpful by keeping far-flung family member and friends in touch, and may even … Continue reading →

Happy Birthday Twitter!

Published on 2012-03-21 20:34:31

Unless you are carefully avoiding everything to do with popular culture, you have surely heard of “Twitter” – you may not be clear on exactly what it is, but you likely know the name. Twitter, the “micro blogging” site, is … Continue reading →

The Internet Of Things

Published on 2012-03-19 19:18:29

So dear readers, here’s another buzzword – or I guess more correctly “buzz phrase” – for you; “The Internet of Things” (IoT). This rather curious phrase describes and looks forward to a setting where many (most?) everyday things will be … Continue reading →

Android Anti-Virus Apps – About Half Are Worthwhile

Published on 2012-03-18 11:38:43

If you have an Android-powered device, you may be considering an anti-virus app since malware has become a bit of an issue for the platform. However, tread carefully, because according to recent testing by AV-Test.org, about half of the currently-available … Continue reading →

Boomers Benefit From Digital Hearing Aid Technology

Published on 2012-03-17 23:20:39

Hearing impairment in later years can be a very isolating experience, leaving the person feeling cut off from family and friends. Even though small hearing aids have been available for years, it’s only recently that digital signal processing (DSP) technology … Continue reading →

Windows Exploit “In The Wild”

Published on 2012-03-17 10:57:35

The most recent Windows Update contained a critical security fixed that affects ALL versions of Windows – and now computer security company Sophos claims to have discovered  “proof of concept” code on a Chinese web site. The long and the … Continue reading →

Microsoft Security Essentials Gaining Users

Published on 2012-03-17 09:51:02

Microsoft’s free antivirus product, Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE), continues to gain users at a decent clip. The product is free to download and use for users with a “genuine” Windows installation. MSE has had somewhat mixed reviews as to it’s … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-03-16 22:07:57

Weekly Round-Up time  – another week consigned to the vault of history, and another selection of flotsam and jetsam from my Internet travels, some interesting, some silly, some just plain weird… Google Nexus tablet “a done deal” – because we … Continue reading →

Encyclopedia Britannica Going Out Of Print

Published on 2012-03-13 21:44:13

As someone who has hung around for more than fifty years, I sometimes have the feeling I am standing on a sandbank in the middle of a fast-moving river; the familiar surroundings keep being washed away, little by little. To … Continue reading →

Pew Search Engine Survey

Published on 2012-03-13 18:52:56

A recently published survey by Pew Internet indicates the Jekyll and Hyde nature of our use of the Internet, and specifically of search engines like Google, Bing, Yahoo!, et al. We like the ability to find things quickly using search … Continue reading →

Star Trek Universal Translator? Yeah, We’ve Got That.

Published on 2012-03-12 21:52:22

Start Trek the TV show – particularly the original NBC show – sure came up with a lot of scientific (or pseudo scientific) doodads that ended up making it to the real world. It’s still not clear to me what … Continue reading →

GCF Learnfree Has Some Shiny New Video Tutorials

Published on 2012-03-12 18:58:02

The good folks over at GCFLearnfree.org have a growing library of online video tutorials. The latest batch of a dozen or so feature nifty graphics and soothing music, and are on the topic of “Computer Basics”. These are very user-friendly, … Continue reading →

Internet Culture: Rage Faces

Published on 2012-03-11 22:21:00

The Internet can be a strange place, to put it mildly; a lot of things you run across may not make any sense. It can be like driving your kid’s car and turning on the radio or CD player and … Continue reading →

I Have Glimpsed The Future – And It’s Weird, But Cool

Published on 2012-03-10 21:41:15

Your 82-year old mom is in poor health and can’t attend a costume party before your wedding (on the other side of the Atlantic). You and your mom both wish she could be there in person of course, but what … Continue reading →

Smarter Credit Cards Courtesy Of CardSpring

Published on 2012-03-10 17:20:41

Most people like coupons; you get to save some money just by flashing your little slip of paper. But little slips of paper get lost, so wouldn’t it be nice to somehow tie the coupon to your credit card, so … Continue reading →

*Much* Faster Touchcreens Ahead

Published on 2012-03-10 09:38:17

One of the things that can throw people a little when using a touchscreen is the inherent “lag” that is present in current designs. It seems like  a minor issue but can be distracting, in that it sort of “separates” … Continue reading →

Microsoft Patch Tuesday Has “Critical” Windows Update

Published on 2012-03-10 09:24:07

It’s that time of the month again folks, and this time only one of the items in this batch is rated “critical” by Microsoft – but it affects all versions of Windows through Windows 7. So, if you have not … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-03-09 20:35:48

Weekly Round-Up time  – another week consigned to the vault of history, and another selection of flotsam and jetsam from my Internet travels, some interesting, some silly, some just plain weird… Boosting fuel cells future with “nanowire forest” – Nanowires … Continue reading →

Healthcare “Hearts” The iPad

Published on 2012-03-09 19:08:46

Even though we have only had iPads for a few years, the healthcare industry has taken quite a shine to the sleek portable device. You can see the attraction; a lightweight computing device that has great battery life, is simple … Continue reading →

Lowering The Cost Of Gene Sequencing

Published on 2012-03-08 19:29:46

Until recently the subject of Sci-Fi novels and movies like Jurassic Park, gene sequencing is a discipline that brings together computing, medicine and chemistry. The computing part crunches mind-boggling numbers in order to map “base pairs” for example. With advances … Continue reading →

SANS Ouch! March 2012: Email Do’s And Dont’s

Published on 2012-03-08 18:23:43

The SANS Institute publishes monthly newsletters on security-related topics, presented in a user-friendly manner. This month’s edition discusses email “do’s and dont’s” – good information in plain language: English Version (PDF file) Translated Versions & Archives

Access To Digital Services, Post Mortem

Published on 2012-03-07 21:08:29

Lifehacker has a thought-provoking article about a subject most of us don’t want to think about: death. More specifically, what happens to, say, your Gmail account after you die? In the big picture sense, it will be deleted after a … Continue reading →

New iPad Is Just That: “New iPad”

Published on 2012-03-07 15:31:32

Nope, not the “iPad 3″ as expected, just “iPad”. A little confusing, but Apple tends to go their own way, so there. Some of the expected features are there, some not. Cool “retina” display, but no “Siri” assistant (yet).

Infographic: State Of The Baby Boomer

Published on 2012-03-06 19:10:04

++ Click to Enlarge Image ++Image Source: Senior Homes

Adobe Flash Player – More Critical Patches

Published on 2012-03-05 20:19:17

For the second time in less than a month, Adobe has issued security patches for it’s ubiquitous (and apparently rather porous) Flash player. When vendors refer to security exploits as being “critical” they are not saying that just to say … Continue reading →

Publishers Pummeling Libraries Over eBooks

Published on 2012-03-05 19:37:26

Public Libraries are probably feeling a bit put upon these days. They have been making arrangements to allow the public to “borrow” eBooks to read on their eReader and tablets. It’s a nice arrangement, in that you can make your … Continue reading →

AT&T’s “Unlimited” Plan Limits Clarified

Published on 2012-03-04 14:44:56

In the true spirit of an Old Goat, I believe if you use a word like “unlimited” to describe something, then there is an expectation that it should be, well, “unlimited” (i.e. without limitation). If it’s not, in fact, unlimited … Continue reading →

The Robots Are Coming, The Robots Are Coming

Published on 2012-03-03 20:54:06

Yes, they really may be. One firm in particular, iRobot, is bracing itself for an explosion in the use of robots for all kinds of purposes; medicine, elder care -  and of course things like bomb disposal that are too … Continue reading →

The Latest Version Of Avast Free Antivirus

Published on 2012-03-03 17:23:21

I’m a big one for free software, mostly from a practical point of view – I’m cheap! Now the old maxim “You get what you pay for” is generally true in life; however, in the world of computer software, there … Continue reading →

There’s An App For That??

Published on 2012-03-03 11:40:51

The phrase “there’s an app for that” reflects the astonishing range of software “apps” for mobile devices, both Android and Apple devices. It seems like the most trivial or mundane things can become apps – a fart app, for example … Continue reading →

Mobile Medical Apps Are Booming

Published on 2012-03-02 21:58:03

Doctors and medical students are finding many ways to use mobile devices such as tablets to help them keep up with medical trends, patient records, study materials and many other things that help them take care of their patients. The … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-03-02 20:19:05

Weekly Round-Up time again – another week consigned to the vault of history and another selection of flotsam and jetsam, some interesting, some silly, some just plain weird… What Are The Chances of Dropping Dead in Your 40′s – I … Continue reading →

“Computer Hygiene” Gets Some Attention

Published on 2012-03-02 19:15:38

There are not too many things more miserable than realizing your computer (or other computing device) has some kind of malware on it, and then trying to remove the blasted thing. Even for those of us who may have earned … Continue reading →

LinkedIn Profile = Less Fibbing

Published on 2012-03-01 18:47:15

LinkedIn profile - like a resume, but with less fibbing Continue reading →

Google Continues To Offer Bounty For Chrome Security Flaws

Published on 2012-02-28 21:29:05

Google is continuing to dish out “good cash money” to those finding and reporting security exploits in their Chrome web browser. While other software makers also do this, Google has been particularly aggressive in offering substantial cash awards of tens … Continue reading →

Secunia PSI Beta 3 Now Available

Published on 2012-02-28 19:40:30

I have raved about Secunia PSI here before; it’s a free utility that runs in the background on your Windows computer and checks and updates your installed software. Microsoft Updates can keep Windows and other MS software up to date, … Continue reading →

Mirror, Mirror – What The Heck?

Published on 2012-02-28 11:35:47

Microsoft has an “augmented reality mirror” that they are playing with, er, researching.  It’s called (for now) the “Holoflector”, and uses the Kinect for Windows platform to provide some interesting and entertaining visuals. Probably best to just watch the short … Continue reading →

SkyDrive To Get Some Polish

Published on 2012-02-27 20:49:24

Microsoft’s venerable cloud service – Skydrive – is being spruced up, to line up better alongside offering like iCloud and perhaps even Dropbox. The new version has a Windows 8 “Metro” style look, and improvements such as an app that … Continue reading →

Touchy-Feely Microsoft Office

Published on 2012-02-26 10:19:32

The word is that Microsoft Office 15 will support a more “touch friendly” interface, to go along with the concept of aggressively getting Windows onto tablets. Windows 8 will support “Windows on ARM” (WOA), meaning that it can work with … Continue reading →

Upgrading a Laptop Hard Drive to SSD

Published on 2012-02-25 15:12:16

Solid State Disks (SSDs) are particularly suited for use in laptops, as they have no moving parts, are quiet, fast and use less power than a traditional hard drive. They are usually found in “higher end” laptops, but with SSD … Continue reading →

Mac “Flashback” Trojan

Published on 2012-02-25 10:31:47

Mac "Flashback" Trojan has some new tricks since last year's version Continue reading →

Looking At The World Through Google-Colored Glasses?

Published on 2012-02-24 21:34:01

Google’s experimental division – the boffins of self-driving car fame – have come up with some sci-fi glasses that will be able to overlay computer information onto the “real world” for you. It sounds like a natural progression of the “augmented … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-02-24 20:02:02

Here we go, another trip once around the www in search of interesting, weird or goofy items… Playboy wants to make it in space – to boldly go, etc. Apple – mastered for iTunes selection – the fi is hi(gher) … Continue reading →

Lumens, CFLs and LEDs, Oh My!

Published on 2012-02-24 18:37:23

As we head into a future of CFLs and LEDs and say goodbye to the old incandescent lamps we have grown up with, what’s the deal with “color temperature” – and “lumens” instead of “watts”? Most of us have a … Continue reading →

Hey Boomers – “Work Til You Drop”

Published on 2012-02-23 20:50:10

As the economy slowly struggles to get back on track, and the unemployment rate is still in the eight percent range, Baby Boomers are getting the message loud and clear; unless your circumstances are exceptional, you are probably destined to … Continue reading →

Chrome, Chromium and Comodo Dragon

Published on 2012-02-22 18:31:39

You probably know about the Google Chrome browser; I mention it here pretty regularly one way or another. You may not know there is a “Chromium” browser too; it’s the open source product upon which Google Chrome is based. There … Continue reading →

Google And The Cookie Jar

Published on 2012-02-20 18:59:45

Google was caught recently with it’s hand in the cookie jar, both figuratively and literally: Google was caught last week bypassing default privacy settings in the Safari browser in order to serve up tracking cookies. The company claimed the situation was … Continue reading →

VLC Player 2.0 Now Available

Published on 2012-02-19 15:35:41

VideoLAN Player (aka “VLC”) is a supremely handy video and audio player; it plays a huge number of file formats and manages them all very well. Version 2.0 is now available, and includes experimental support for Blu-Ray. VLC is available … Continue reading →

Apple Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion – Cloudy, With Sync

Published on 2012-02-19 13:51:52

Apple’s “developer preview” of it’s next upgrade to OS X, version 10.8 (“Mountain Lion”), has heaping helpings of iCloud integration and syncing across mobile devices. It also pulls more of the look and feel from the iPad apps to the … Continue reading →

Lessons From UK’s Health Information Exchange

Published on 2012-02-18 23:36:12

The United Kingdom’s Health Information Exchange (HIE) project for the National Health Service is having the plug pulled. After pumping more than half of the approximately $15 billion budgeted for the project over the last ten years, it was decided … Continue reading →

DNS D-Day March 8

Published on 2012-02-18 17:51:42

A recent trojan infection is prompting some pretty drastic action by the FBI on March 8th. The “DNSChanger” trojan has infected several million computers in hundreds of countries, including half a million in the US alone. These are not just … Continue reading →

Go, DuckDuckGo!

Published on 2012-02-18 11:44:02

DuckDuckGo is a web search engine that harkens back to simpler times; the search page is plain, the results are straightforward, and the site does not track you. It’s also becoming quite popular of late, relatively speaking – although it … Continue reading →

Windows 8 New Logo

Published on 2012-02-18 10:20:08

The four color Windows logo will be replaced in Windows 8 by a simpler blue design – and it’s causing quite a bit of notice. Either that’s clever marketing by Microsoft (any kind of attention is better than people ignoring … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-02-17 21:03:05

Another weekly round-up of items that caught my eye during the past week or so. Hopefully interesting, sometimes silly or infuriating… Nano Quadrotors – wee tiny robot helicopters flying in formation (video) He Can See Ultraviolet Light After Eye Surgery … Continue reading →

Whole Lotta Patches This Week!

Published on 2012-02-17 18:51:14

It’s been quite a week for security patches for various products; first was Microsoft’s “patch Tuesday“, then quickly followed by patches for Adobe’s Flash player, Oracle’s Java and Mozilla’s Firefox. Each of these contained fixes for some pretty important security … Continue reading →

Free Online Courses From MIT

Published on 2012-02-14 18:26:55

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, aka MIT, is launching a free online electronics course, part of a project called MITx. While you can’t earn a complete degree online for free, it’s a “real” course with homework, online interactive lab work, etc. The … Continue reading →

Microsoft + GE Healthcare = Caradigm

Published on 2012-02-13 18:52:46

We mentioned this alliance before, and now it has a name – Caradigm (which I assume rhymes with “paradigm”). The idea is to pull together data from all over the world, from labs, clinics, etc. and be able to present … Continue reading →

I Got An Email From The IRS – It Sounds Serious!

Published on 2012-02-13 10:20:10

Steady on there, skippy. The IRS does not send out emails as a way of alerting you to refunds or problems with your taxes. No matter how “real” or “official” it looks – IT’S NOT. Don’t click on anything in … Continue reading →

SANS Ouch! February 2012 – Mobile App Security

Published on 2012-02-12 11:31:52

The SANS Institute publishes monthly newsletters on security-related topics, presented in a user-friendly manner. This month’s edition discusses mobile app security – these are “best practices” in plain language: English Version (PDF file) Translated Versions & Archives

Patch Tuesday On Valentine’s Day

Published on 2012-02-11 10:20:08

February 14th is coming up – and you know what that means, don’t you – Valentine’s Day! Well, yes, but also Microsoft’s “Patch Tuesday”, where the software giant issues patches (software updates or fixes) for Windows and other Microsoft products. … Continue reading →

Weekly Round-Up

Published on 2012-02-10 21:30:17

Another weekly round-up of items that caught my eye during the past week or so. Hopefully interesting, sometimes silly or infuriating… How NASA Makes Those Incredible Hi-Res Images of Earth  – it’s scientific! Space:1999 Gets a 21st Century Reboot – … Continue reading →

Windows 8 And ARM – WOA

Published on 2012-02-09 18:41:43

Microsoft Windows 8 is being written to be able to run on “ARM” systems, as well as the familiar Intel platform, and Microsoft just dished up a few more details on their plans. Windows on ARM (WOA) should fit nicely … Continue reading →

Kodak Is Officially Done With Cameras

Published on 2012-02-09 11:48:29

Following up on it’s bankruptcy filing, Eastman Kodak Co. announced today that it is phasing out it’s camera operations in the first half of this year. This will not include photo kiosks, printers and accessories and photographic papers. The writing … Continue reading →