The Ultimate Guide to Technology Buying

Start 2011 right by upgrading your technology. But before you buy, check out our shopping advice for everything from cell phones and digital cameras to video cards and laptops. Click on PC MAG below.

Why You Should Buy Refurbished Computers

The Easy Way to Repair Your Internet Connection

Sometimes, Windows loses its connection to the internet.  This happens regardless of whether you're using an ADSL modem, an ADSL router, a cable router, a dial-up modem, or any other hardware device to connect.  And it happens regardless of whether your connection is cabled or wireless.

Complete Internet Repair is a FREE program for Windows XP and above.  You can get it from www.rizone3.com, and it's only a 0.5 MB download.

My contact list is getting spam from me, what do I do?

Hackers are gaining access to real email accounts and then simply using those email accounts to send spam. They may not even bother to change the password, but they may change a few other things to make it easier for them to hack back in. What to do?

What you should never say on Facebook

When you say the wrong thing on Facebook, nasty things can happen.

Facebook came under fire on Capitol Hill earlier this year after it rolled out new features that might make users' data more public and a series of changes to its privacy settings that could lead users to expose more information about themselves. The outcry prompted the company to switch to simplified privacy controls in June.

Apple sued over apps privacy issues; Google may be next

Two separate groups of iPhone and iPad users have sued Apple Inc alleging that certain software applications were passing personal user information to third-party advertisers without consent.
 

My Review of Roku HD Player

Originally submitted at Roku

The new HD, with built-in wireless, delivers top value in high-definition streaming.

Roku HD Player

Roku HD Player by Roku

By barkerrd from Clinton Township, MI on 12/28/2010

 

4out of 5

Pros: Reliability, Great value, Easy to use, Video selection, Compact, High quality picture, Built in Wi-Fi, Easy to set up

Cons: Need fast internet service, Inconsistent performance

Best Uses: Living room, Primary TV

Describe Yourself: Movie buff

We use this product to view movies and TV series. We love the "On Demand" feature. Not so great - the reloading. This could be a function of the Internet connection speed.

(legalese)

Amazon Plan: Let Users Return Gifts Preemptively

Amazon is working on a solution that could revolutionize digital gift buying. The online retailer has quietly patented a way for people to return gifts before they receive them.
Read more...

Image Resizer for Windows

If you’ve got a lot of photos you want to resize use a good batch tool. Batch processing allows you to automate a task like renaming files or cropping photos so you don’t have to sit there and click, type, and crop your way through the process.
 

This program allows you to right-click on one or more image files in Windows Explorer to resize them. It can be used with  Windows XP, Windows  2000, Windows Vista and Windows 7. FREE!

National Campaign Succeeds in Protecting Thousands Against Identity Theft

The recent 2010 Protect Your Identity Week (PYIW) campaign hosted by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) will be one for the history books, breaking records while protecting tens of thousands of consumers against the crime of identity theft.  

A little late but still entertaining.

To Life: Vanessa's Wedding Surprise

What a wedding surprise!!! Every wedding has singing and dancing, but this is special. The bride's friends and family rehearsed this wedding surprise for a month. This is like a broadway show.

FBackup4.5 free backup software

FBackup is a free backup software for both personal and commercial use. It protects your important data by backing it up automatically to any USB/Firewire device, local or network location (eg. external hard drive). The backed up data can be either compressed (using standard zip compression) or an exact copy of the original files. Click below for more information.

Click below to download

The 10 Best Digital Cameras

The problem with buying a digital camera is not only that there are hundreds of models for sale at any given point in time, but you also need to figure out which type of camera is right for you.

Internet Explorer Leads on Malware Security: Report

Microsoft's Internet Explorer 9 beta Web browser beat the competition on malware protection. An NSS Labs report finds that Windows Internet Explorer 9 beta caught an “exceptional” 99 percent of the live threats,

Christmas Song Quiz

Can you name the rest of these Christmas song titles?

Microsoft releases free Security Essentials 2.0

Microsoft has launched the latest version of its free Security Essentials. Microsoft yesterday quietly released the latest version of its Security Essentials anti-malware software.
 
Security Essentials 2.0 is available as a free download with several changes over its predecessor.

Read more:

To download: click on "Microsoft"  

 

A Soldiers Silent Night

A Christmas dedication to all our men and women in uniform.

Cheap Flights, Hotels and Travel Deals!

Find and book cheap flights, airline tickets, cheap hotels, vacations and rental cars with KAYAK. Search hundreds of travel sites and find cheap travel deals.

WikiLeaks Reveals Santa's Naughty List

WikiLeaks is at it again. No playground is safe this Christmas.

Geotag Security - Family Protection Software

Did you know that when you upload photos to the Internet they can tell more about you, then you would want to disclose to a random stranger watching it? Where you live, where you spend time with your kids, when you are at home, and when you are not. 

Is there a way to protect yourself and your family from disclosing your location? Click below.

 

New scam tactic: Fake disk defraggers

We've all heard about fake antivirus programs, also known as scareware. These programs falsely claim that your computer is infected with malware and prompt you to buy a product that will do nothing for you, except put your credit card number into the hands of criminals.

 

THE DIGITAL STORY OF THE NATIVITY

How social media, web and mobile tell the story of the Nativity.
Christmas story told through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google, Wikipedia, Google Maps, GMail, Foursquare, Amazon...

Times change, the feeling remains the same.

Amy Walker - 21 Accents

Amy Walker is an actress/singer/songwriter since the highchair, she has played key roles in more than 70 theatrical shows and films in both global hemispheres, honing her linguistic skills with over 21 accents at the ready.

10 Great Downloads

Abine TACO - opt out of targeted advertising.

SlimComputer - remove pre-installed software from a new PC.

Security Essentials - antivirus program.

Identity Finder - find passwords and credit card numbers stored on your computer.

Hulu Desktop - clips, full-length shows and feature films.

Microsoft Fix It Center - automatically fix problems

AVG Rescue CD  - antivirus and anti-spyware tools.

Duplicate Cleaner – clean out duplicate files

Speccy - manufacturers, model numbers and speed ratings of components in your computer.

Secunia -  tells you which programs need  updates.

Microsoft Security Essentials 2.0 Kills Viruses Dead

Microsoft’s Security Essentials is free, unobtrusive, and it doesn’t slow your PC down, but now it’s even better with the new 2.0 release, which adds network filtering, heuristic protection, and more.

The How-to Geek absolutely recommends Microsoft Security Essentials as your anti-malware / anti-virus utility over any other option. It’s totally free!

Top 10 Privacy Tips of 2010

There were plenty of new threats to your privacy and security in 2010. Kim Komando has compiled the top 10 most-read Privacy tips from this past year. Make sure you don't miss them!

South Park Cartoon - Kwame

Kwame Kilpatrick, former mayor of Detroit, and his wife, Carlita Kilpatrick, pose for portrait. Carlita stands by Kwame, a Kilpatrick spokesman says.

“She loves and supports her husband 100% and puts all the legal allegations in God's hands,” a family spokesman said after Kwame Kilpatrick was indicted Wednesday on racketeering and extortion charges.

Kwame Video - South Park

Factory Balls – Christmas Edition

The object of the game is to correctly decorate/paint each Christmas ornament exactly as shown in the “sample image” provided for each level. What starts off as simple will quickly have you working to figure out the correct combination or sequence to complete each ornament. Are you ready?

Play Factory Balls – Christmas Edition

Here is a link to detailed instructions for the game:  

Friday Fun: Factory Balls – Christmas Edition

How to Fix a Slow Internet Connection: Optimizing Internet Connection

Fixing a slow Internet connection is done by checking for viruses with system scan and removing unneeded computer programs. Improve Web browsing performance on a computer by doing a disk cleanup with tips from an experienced computer specialist in the free video on Internet connections.

How to Fix a Slow Internet Connection: Optimizing Internet Connection

Abine: The Online Privacy Company

Abine's “Privacy Suite” is a browser add-on that combines disparate privacy tools into a comprehensive privacy system.
By putting all the controls in one place, the Abine plug-in makes it easier to control the amount of personal information being collected and stored about you online.

Some features:

    * Stopping tracking by hundreds of advertising networks and websites
    * Manage all cookies (regular & Flash) and trackers in one place.
    * Easily create distinct online accounts for different uses
    * Pre-fill registration forms with limited subsets of information
    * Shield your real info with disposable emails and phone numbers

Addicted to Costco

About Me & My Love of Costco

"My love affair with Costco began several years ago in Tucson, Arizona. It was a beautiful, sunny day the first time I walked through that warehouse door that would forever hold a special place in my heart. At first, it was just a casual flirtation but over the years my love has only grown".

This blogger does not work for Costco, receive free goods, services, or payment from Costco. 

Kim Komando Video - The latest online job scam

In times like these, people are desperate for work. And scammers are only too happy to take advantage of job hunters. Learn about an online job scam that can cost you a lot of money—and land you in prison. You can't afford to miss this video!

Lightbox 2.0 Free version

LightBox Image Editor is an excellent little utility that has an attractive user interface that is simple and straight forward, and offers intuitive slide-bar adjustments for your images. It also has split screen views to help you compare your images before and after the corrections have been made. It includes simple tools to correct red-eye, sharpen, crop, re-size, add borders, and print.

This is by far the best, easiest FREE photo editing program I have ever used.

10 Worst Christmas Gift Ideas

No one should be receiving these gifts this holiday season…not even those you dislike.

The Early Warning System for Internet Shoppers!

BidFraud.com is The Early Warning System for Internet Shoppers! More specifically, the public can read and write reports about suspected fraudulent internet activity as it is happening (e.g., live auction) or once the transaction has completed & the buyer/seller has reported a fraudulent claim. Bidfraud is free to use and offers free advertising. 

Milo Local Shopping

Milo is a comparison-shopping search site. It gets the prices from stores near you. Just enter your address and the product name.

In seconds, you'll see which store has the best price. It will even give you directions. You can access Milo from your cell phone and you can check prices from anywhere.

 

LEGO isn't just for kids - click here to go to the Lego website

The name 'LEGO' is an abbreviation of the two Danish words "leg godt", meaning "play well".

The LEGO Group was founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen. The Company has passed from father to son and is now owned by Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, a grandchild of the founder.

It has come a long way over the past almost 80 years - from a small carpenter’s workshop to a modern, global enterprise that is now, in terms of sales, the world’s fifth-largest manufacturer of toys. Here is a video which shows some amazing creations.

Best Free PC Games

This is the showcase for some of the most top-notch, high quality, freeware games out there in each respective category. Not all free games have viruses. In fact, a vast majority don't. There is actually a huge, thriving, community centered around creating free games, for their own satisfaction, and the enjoyment of others.
Come, take a look at this wonderful selection of known, and less renown freeware games.

All-TIME 100 Gadgets

Check out this list of the 100 greatest gadgets since 1923, according to TIME Magazine.

Urban Legend Web Sites

An urban legend, urban myth, urban tale, or contemporary legend, is a form of modern folklore consisting of stories usually believed by their tellers to be true. As with all folklore and mythology, the designation suggests nothing about the story's truth or falsehood, but merely that it is in circulation, exhibits variation over time, and carries some significance that motivates the community in preserving and propagating it.

Investigate that story you received before forwarding it to others. Here are three good sites to check out the stories.

TruthOrFiction.com

About.com: Urban Legends

Snopes.com

Occasionally I have received stories which include the statement: "Checked be Snopes". When I go to the Snopes website they often do not corroborate the story being passed around.

eBay revamps home page, offers shared gift giving

eBay is getting ready for the holidays with a new take on its home page and a new shared gift-giving feature.

The auction site refreshed its home page yesterday with the goal of helping people find and buy items more quickly and easily. The redesign, which eBay said was months in the making, offers a different look and feel to the home page as well as several behind-the-scenes changes. Read more:

Profile Watch:What is your online privacy score?

About Profile Watch

Social media sites grow only when they have members actively sharing their lives. Recently, some of these sites have started changing privacy settings to expose members to a wider audience. While this benefits sites like Facebook, it can expose information in your profile you meant to keep private.

To protect yourself you need to understand what those who are not connected to your profile can learn about you. Poor online security has caused from bullying to burglary and stalking in real life. Check your own profile here and see what you're sharing with the world. Note, you can also enter just your ID or Facebook Username into the Search box.

Leaked U.S. Marshal body scan images revealed

After news hit that U.S. Marshals operating a body scanner machine in a courthouse had stored 35,000 images — despite the fact that the machines were supposed to be incapable of saving them — Gizmodo made a Freedom of Information Act request and received 100 of the shots. 

Slim Down Your New Computer

New computers come pre-loaded with promotional software, ad links, toolbars and trial offers. SlimComputer uses crowd-sourced feedback to make optimization recommendations for your computer. It removes unneeded programs, start-up entries and services and slims down your new machine to make it run fast and clean like it's supposed to.

I Can't Find My Phone

Losing your cell phone is a big pain. But misplacing it just as bad. You can always call it from another phone. Then, follow the rings to find your phone. But what if you don't have a landline to use?

With "I Can't Find My Phone", type in your phone number, and the website will call your phone. This also works with a cordless landline phone.

Koobface is a malicious program that has plagued Facebook for more than two years

A friend on Facebook suggests that you watch an amazing or funny or sexy video. The link may seem innocuous enough. But with a few simple clicks, you could end up infecting your PC with the Koobface worm. 

NY Times

More trouble for Amazon, this time with photos

Amazon sells books and videos containing images of children in possible sexual situations.
You may have heard that there's something rotten on Amazon.com. 

We have learned that it doesn't end with the company's dropping of "The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure: a Child-lover's Code of Conduct." Books and videos depicting pre-pubescent Eastern European and Asian girls, some of whom are nude, are listed for sale on Amazon in the U.S. and Japan, as of press time. Read more...

MSNBC

Why You Should Never Trust Facebook

Facebook has a dismal reputation when it comes to privacy issues. This is evidently a problem that starts at the top, with Facebook co-founder, President, and CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Veterans Day - 2010

Remembering those who served.

Firesheep

FireSheep, in essence, is a Firefox extension that can sniff out your login information to many sites and let a stranger login as you and do stuff. Here is a little more background on how it works. Read more...

Retinal Implant Brings Bionic Vision to Blind Patients

Scientists have successfully implanted microchips in the retinas of three blind volunteers, allowing them to see shapes and letters within days of surgery.

Retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration are diseases that affect the light receptors in the retina, one of the eyeball’s outer layers. (This is fantastic!!! Don)

Google Pack

Google Pack is:

• Software selected by Google
• Always free
• Ready to use in just a few clicks!

Google Chrome
Google Apps
Spyware Doctor with Anti-Virus
Google Picasa
Mozilla Firefox with Google Toolbar   
Skype
Google Earth
Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer
Google Desktop
Adobe Reader
Google Talk
RealPlayer

Facebook Business Pages Hit By Malicious Links

The latest security fiasco on Facebook's application platform may involve business pages rather than personal accounts: Sendible, a company that makes software for businesses to manage accounts and presences on various social-media services, looked like it was hit by a virus or hacker on Tuesday afternoon: TechCrunch pointed out that Sendible-managed brand pages on Facebook appeared to be posting malicious links. Read more...

 

Hipmonk: A Better Flight Search

We make it faster and easier to find the flight you want. Most flight search sites haven't changed in years. They have an intimidating search page and endless pages of flight results. Finding the right flight often takes all afternoon—or all week.

At Hipmunk, we make your experience a lot better. We're building better interfaces for searching, browsing, and filtering your flight search results. 

A New Favorite Link

Everyone has been to PC Hell at one time or another. It's that place you visit when your personal computer is driving you insane with problems, glitches, and so on. To try to soothe the frustration, we'll provide some tips, hints, and troubleshooting remedies to help you get out of PC Hell. Be warned however, sometimes there is no exit....

Advanced SystemCare Free

Advanced SystemCare Free (formerly Advanced WindowsCare Personal) has a one-click approach to help protect, repair, clean, and optimize your PC. With over 50 MILLION downloads since 2006, this fantastic, award-winning, free PC repair software is a "must-have" tool for your computer. 100% safe with no adware, spyware, or viruses; a PC maintenance program that’s incredibly easy to use.

Why waste money on expensive "registry cleaners" to fix your PC when Advanced SystemCare Free will repair, tune, and maintain it for you – for free!

I liked this program so much I upgraded to the paid version (rare for me). It is unbelievably easy for anyone to use. Don

Watch the video

Click below to download the program:    

Download All Must-have Free Apps in One Single Click.

The best Easy, Fast and Safe Way for Freeware Downloads!

1. Choose free apps you like best

2. Get FreeApps installer

3. Have a cup of coffee and all work will be automatically done in a few minutes

 

 

My Website

Finally! My website is back up and running. I will be making a lot of additions. I welcome suggestions for topics you would like to see. If you need help with your computer, email me and I will try to get answers for you. Please visit:

Humorous Egg Art

 Very clever work. Imaginative.

Facebook Uncovers User Data Sales

Facebook has taken action against developers it caught selling user names and contact lists.

The sales were uncovered as Facebook investigated a web browser bug that let user IDs be shared inadvertently. Read more...

TVKim - Kim's Picks

Kim Komando (also known as The Digital Goddess) has been delighting her fans for years with her daily video pick. Funny, poignant, informative or incredible, each day brings something new that's sure to please. Kim cuts through the clutter of online video content to bring you one family-friendly selection, fresh every day.

Games for the Brain

These will keep you busy!!!

• Games for the Brain: Play never ending quiz, memory & brain games to train your thinking.
• Brain Games - Fun Games That Train Your Mind: Give your brain a workout by playing fun games that sharpen your mind.
  
• BrainBashers : Puzzles and Brain Teasers: Brain teasers, puzzles, online games, optical illusions and jigsaws.
• Brain Games & Brain Training - Lumosity: Improve memory and attention with scientific brain games.
• Braingle: Brain Teasers, Puzzles, Riddles, Trivia and Games: User submitted and ranked brain teasers, riddles, quizzes, trivia, logic problems and mind puzzles. Free online games and message boards.
  
• Brain Games | Fun Brain Game | Games for the Brain: Fun brain games for brain development. Play games for the brain free. Find a fun brain game to improve memory, math, logic.
  
• Brain Games: Which of the brain games is your favorite? Which is the easiest? Which game is so hard you vowed never to play it again? Do you feel smarter already?
  
• Neuroscience For Kids - brain games: Interactive games to help you learn about the brain and nervous system. 
• Brain Games: Play Free Puzzle Games Online, Free Puzzles: Play free online brain games and puzzles. Free puzzle games and brain games that make you smarter.

Slim Down Your New Computer

SlimComputer helps identify software that comes pre-installed on a new computer. If you've ever gotten a new PC and it came loaded with promotional programs, toolbars, links to advertising or trial offers, then you know how frustrating these things can be.

Also see my previous blogs on the subject. 

Five tips for getting rid of crapware 

Five Tips: Get Rid of Bloatware

Use Paint.NET to Remove Red Eye From Flash Photography

Going to a lot of night parties? We all know that the flash will give your pictures red eye, but here’s a simple way to use freeware Paint.NET to remove the red eye from any of your pictures. The How-To Geek is amazing. He is also very reliable.

7 Steps to Make Computers Accessible for the Elderly

These steps all use tools that are built in to Windows and can help with eyesight and other difficulties.
The main focus is on improving visibility with some tips on using sounds and keystrokes for pain and stiffness in fingers.
There are tips on these topics:

•     Screen Resolution
•     Contrast
•     Sizing Fonts and Icons
•     Start Menu buttons
•     Magnifier
•     Keystrokes
•     Mouse

Some of the tools are useful for almost everyone, have a look and you might find something that will make computing easier.