Please hold
May 20, 2013 / 5:00 am
Have you ever had to wait on hold for a long time? Have you ever gotten bored? Even those of us who provide tech support have to wait on hold for tech support sometimes. Or the cable company. Or the phone company. This week: three websites to help you pass the time on hold. Play...
What's the difference?
May 13, 2013 / 5:00 am
Add-ons, plugins and extensions. Browsers and search engines. Are these things the same? Should we accept the updates when they’re offered? Add-ons, plugins, extensions Faithful reader “Norm” wrote that he is confused about add-ons, plugins, and extensions....
Hey, you - get off my lawn!
May 6, 2013 / 5:00 am
When it comes to Windows --- any version of Windows --- some of the built-in “features” make me feel downright curmudgeonly. Here’s how to turn off a pair of the most annoying things Windows does. Disable Snap Microsoft introduced Snap in Windows 7 and...
Q & A
Apr 29, 2013 / 5:00 am
This week’s column answers three questions that have come up in the last couple of weeks. Learn how to find out if a website is safe, spot a hoax, and open more than one Explorer window at a time. How do I know if a website is safe? Photo:...
Picture this
Apr 22, 2013 / 5:00 am
People are clamouring for a decent Windows 8 photo app. But it’s not just Windows 8 users who need to deal with photos. Whether you’re using Windows 8, Windows 7, Vista or XP, there’s something in this week’s column for you. Are there any good Windows 8...
How did that get in there?
Apr 15, 2013 / 5:00 am
Often when I clean malicious software from a customer’s PC, I find toolbars, search engines and assorted unnecessary and unwanted programs. My customers almost always ask, “How did that get in there?” which is a good question. Another good question is, “What can I do to...
Getting help
Apr 8, 2013 / 5:00 am
Photo: Contributed When you have a computer problem and you need help, one way to go about it is to throw your hands in the air and just say "my computer doesn't work!" You’ll definitely have my full attention. That's what we're here for, after...
Great stuff!
Apr 1, 2013 / 5:00 am
Sometimes it’s not enough fun setting up new computers for my customers. Sometimes I just have to get a new computer for myself. And I did! But just like any major purchase, it’s ever so important to accessorize. Here’s some great stuff I found to go with my brand new Prima...
Things should be simple
Mar 25, 2013 / 5:00 am
Einstein is quoted as having said, "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler." I’m often quoted as having said, “You’re not kidding!” Keep reading to find out how simple it is to arrange stuff on your desktop the way you like it, print...
Windows Live Messenger shutting down
Mar 18, 2013 / 5:00 am
Windows Live Messenger will soon cease to exist. You can use Skype and keep your contacts. Also, some Windows 8 users have experienced a problem with Windows Live Photo Gallery. But…there is a simple fix. Fix the Windows Live Photo Gallery won’t open...
Update Avast & tweak Firefox
Mar 11, 2013 / 5:00 am
The new version of Avast! antivirus offers excellent protection and includes a couple of interesting tools. Firefox might need some tweaking to make the fonts look right. Avast! Version 8 now available My two favourite free antivirus programs are Microsoft Security Essentials...
One size does not fit all
Mar 4, 2013 / 5:00 am
Whatever your version of Windows, you can customize it so that you can see things better. This week: Three ways to get your Windows looking good. Change the font in Skype A customer recently asked about the font in Skype: …The font in Skype is so small my nose...
What's new
Feb 25, 2013 / 5:00 am
This week: Firefox gets better, Outlook.com gets out of beta, and I get my Google back. Firefox update adds features, improves performance Long-time readers will know I have been a Firefox Evangelist for years. I started using this alternative to Internet Explorer way back in...
Make your life a little easier
Feb 18, 2013 / 5:00 am
Things are a lot easier when you keep your passwords handy, use a new awesome utility. And I have the correct link to a utility mentioned in last week’s column. Getting a new computer? Have your passwords handy! It’s going to take a long time to get your email...
Just for fun
Feb 11, 2013 / 5:00 am
Enough of the dire warnings for now. If you want dire warnings, have a look at the preceding columns. Today is just for fun. Colourize your folders Photo: Contributed A faithful reader, sent along a link to a program that lets you change the colour of...
Back up your files!
Feb 4, 2013 / 5:00 am
Backing up your files is easy. It really is. You should be doing it. Also, you can get around Windows 8 without your hand cramping up from trying to use a mouse. Backup your files. Please. Just do it. And keep doing it. A good time to develop a backup plan is before everything...
Computer hostage taking
Jan 28, 2013 / 7:00 am
Have you heard of Ransomware? You don’t want it. But if you get it, don’t pay the ransom! What is ransomware? Ransomware is malicious software which holds a computer, or the data it contains, hostage by demanding a ransom...
Do you need Java?
Jan 21, 2013 / 5:00 am
Many of you heard about the warning to disable Java or uninstall it. This week I’ll try to sort out the situation for you. What is Java, and why would I ever need it? Java is a programming language and an enabling technology. Business applications, games, and display...
Grab bag
Jan 14, 2013 / 5:00 am
Three unrelated items this week: First, more reader feedback about last week’s reader feedback. Then, a reminder about iTunes on a computer you’re giving away or recycling. Finally, how to get your Google back in Windows 8. More about special characters Last week...
Reader feedback
Jan 7, 2013 / 5:00 am
Thank you to everyone who sends in questions and comments. I appreciate the feedback, and I love knowing what interests readers of this column. Keep them coming. This week: How to insert special characters in an email or other document, how to “undo” a too-thorough cleaning, and a...
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