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General Computing
Topics that span the breath of computing concepts - from security to privacy to the definition of computing terms and practices.
"(Not Responding)" - What does it mean, and what do I do about it?
'(Not Responding)' is Windows' way of telling you that a program might have a problem. Somtimes '(Not Responding)' is benign, but sometimes it's a sign of a deeper issue.
9 ways your account can be compromised, even with a super-strong password.
Strong passwords are important, but they don't protect you from everything. I'll look at other ways that your account can be compromised.
Are automatic updates a good thing?
Unless you're willing to pay a lot of attention on a very regular basis, automatic updates are an important part of keeping your machine safe.
Utilities that remember and enter passwords for you are helpful and convenient, but are they secure? When used properly: absolutely.
Can I ZIP my pictures or MP3 files to save space?
Most picture and movie files are already compressed, which means that they won't save space if made into a ZIP file.
Can I tell if a keylogger has been installed on the machine I share?
Sharing a computer comes with a lot of potential privacy and security issues. If you don't trust the person you share with, you shouldn't be sharing.
Can I transfer my software to my new machine?
Can my boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse tell that I've hacked into their account?
Once you've hacked into someone else's account you've not only done something morally wrong - you're at risk of being found out.
Digital Signatures: what are they, and how do they protect me?
Digital Signatures use public key cryptography to validate both message sender and message contents. Digital Signatures rely on simple concepts you should know, built on top of very complex mathematics you don't need to worry about.
Do I have to keep buying new computers?
With the evolution of technology, the practical reality is that a new computer is required periodically. I'll look at why and how often.
Do I need these Microsoft Visual C++ redistributables?
Assorted redistributables and shared libraries are often installed on your PC by programs that need them. Removing them, while tempting, is fairly risky.
Do I need this add-on recommended by this software installation?
Many free software installs include offers of additional optional software packages. If done deceptively, you could end up with software that you don't want.
Do all these software updates take up more and more disk space?
Keeping up-to-date is an important part of staying safe. Sometimes that means disk space is slowly used for more and more updates. And sometimes not.
Do ebook copy protection schemes work?
When publishing an ebook for sale, it's natural to want to retain control over distribution. Sadly many techniques simply add barriers to purchasers.
Does Linux have a role in the home?
Linux is something more people are looking at to avoid issues they might have with Windows. Linux in the home is definitely getting closer.
How can I automate an SFTP transfer between two servers?
How can I do dictation on my computer using my voice recorder?
It's tempting to want to record speech on the road and then automatically transcribe it to your PC. The technology's not there, but alternatives exist.
How can I keep data on my laptop secure?
Laptops are portable, convenient and easily lost. When lost, all the data could easily be available to the finder. Encryption is the answer.
How can I make an income working online?
Making money online sounds like a wonderful opportunity. It is. It's also a lot of work, if you have the personality for it.
How can I password protect my documents?
Keeping information private on your computer is harder than you might think. Some obvious solutions aren't as secure as we might like.
How can I prevent a Word document from being copied or printed?
It's not possible to completely prevent files from being copied or printed, although you can make it more difficult. I'll look at why.
How can I securely delete everything except the operating system on a machine?
Before giving away a machine or returning a loaner it's important to remove personal information from it. That's both harder and easier than you think.
How can I send and receive FAXes using my PC?
How can I sign a digital document without needing to print it?
If you get a digital document requiring your actual signature you can avoid paper, but signing a digital document electronically may have issues.
How can my ISP tell that I'm downloading copyrighted files?
Some ISPs are taking a more aggressive position to stop illegal file sharing. Your ISP can see a lot, including the fact that you are filesharing.
How do I "image" a hard drive?
We'll look at reasons why imaging a hard drive isn't the best approach, and other options you have.
How do I become a computer programmer?
Computer program can be a fun and rewarding profession. I look at some of what it takes to get there; some aspects are obvious, others not so much.
How do I clean up after someone's broken into my computer?
The news is grim if someone's broken into your computer, but there are steps to take to prevent it from happening again.
How do I convert an audio file to a midi file?
Audio files contain actual sound recording while MIDI files are a type of computer program. Converting audio to midi is a nearly impossible task.
How do I copy VHS tapes to my computer or DVD?
Copying VHS tapes to a DVD or your computer and from there to a DVD, is not that difficult, with the proper bits and pieces.
How do I deal with a photo that is it too large, visually?
These days, digital camera often take pictures that are much larger than our computer screen's resolution. I'll review some techniques to deal with that.
How do I figure out what kind of file I have - without the file extension?
Normally, we use file extensions to identify a file's type. Without that, the next step is to look at the file's first few bytes or 'signature'.
How do I fix "The instruction at -- referenced memory at --. The memory could not be read."?
That's not enough information for an answer, so we'll look at the other types of information that should accompany a general question such as this.
How do I fix this problem uninstalling Microsoft Office 2010 (Beta)?
Installing Beta software comes with real risks, including the inability to uninstall. Often there are few options unless you've prepared beforehand.
How do I get people to stop asking me to fix their computers?
Once your friends become used to your providing technical support and assistance it can be difficult if your situation changes. I'll offer some ideas.
How do I get un-banned from a site?
If you've been permanently banned from a site there might be ways around it. But there's really only one correct approach.
How do I hack into someone's account?
... I cannot, and I will not, retrieve a password for you ... Hacking into someone else's account without their permission would be wrong.
How do I keep from getting my account hacked?
Hacking Hotmail accounts seems like a common occurrence. Here are the steps you need to take to prevent losing your account to a hacker.
How do I keep my information on a shared computer private?
When using a shared computer it's often easy for others to see your data or history. If you must use a shared computer, you need to protect yourself.
How do I keep people from seeing possibly private things on my shared computer?
Sharing a computer is common, but it's fraught with issues. It's all too easy to expose your private information by accident if you share a computer.
How do I keep using a program past its free trial period?
Trial software packages use various techniques to enforce the trial period. There's one sure way to keep using software after the period has expired.
How do I know if these update notifications are legitimate?
Update notifications come at various times and in various ways. I'll look at how to best determine which are legit, and what to do if you suspect not.
How do I make a photo's file smaller and take up less space on disk?
Digital photographs can result in quite large files, taking up space and becoming difficult to share. I'll look at making those picture files smaller.
How do I put my business on the web?
Every business should have some kind of presence on the web, but it's not always obvious how to start. I share a couple of ideas.
How do I read a message that flies by too quickly on my screen?
How do I remove myself from a machine?
Although there's no way to remove all traces of yourself from a machine, there certainly things you should do to remove traces of yourself.
How do I set up my computer - simply?
If you don't want to spend a lot of time tweaking an elaborate setup, I present a basic, simpler, and quicker set of instructions to setup your computer.
How do I share a copy of an application with a friend?
It's tempting to try to email a copy of an application to a friend so you can share data. Unfortunately it's probably wrong, and it won't work simply.
How do I tell if this software is a good deal?
With so many products being offered how do you tell what's good? We'll look at some of the things I did in a recent bit of research.
How do I use iTunes music in my videos?
iTunes is a great source for music to listen to, but there are technical and perhaps legal hurdles to use it for anything else.
How do bad software companies stay in business?
With so much bad software on the market its amazing that the companies stay in business. It's not about technology, it's all about economics.
How do you ask a question when you don't even know the right words to use?
New words and concepts come along at a frightening pace and we're all somehow expected to know what words to use to ask for help. Here are some ideas.
How should I backup my music library?
How should I protect myself when other people use my computer?
Allowing others to use your computer is risky, at best, but as this story shows, can lead to some serious and potentially expensive ramifications.
How should I set up my computer? (Part I)
In previous articles I discussed the process I used to select a new computer for myself. Next, we'll step through configuring my new machine.
How should I set up my computer? (Part II)
In my first article on setting up my new computer I walked through some of the basic actions I took to get my new machine configured. The saga continues!
How should I set up my computer? (Part III)
In this third in a series of articles covering my new computer's setup, we continue by making additional tweaks to the operating system and utilities.
How should I set up my computer? (Part IV)
In this fourth in a series of articles covering my new computer's setup, we continue by making adjustments to Microsoft Office and by using Tweak UI.
How should I set up my computer? (Part VI)
In this sixth in a series of articles covering my new computer's setup, we continue by making final adjustments to my computer and installing lots of software.
How should I set up my computer? (Part VII)
In this seventh and final article in a series of articles covering my new computer's setup, we continue by making a few final adjustments.
How should I store my travel pictures while I'm away?
Travel pictures are a valuable keepsake that you don't want to lose. On a long trip you'll want to take extra steps to store those travel pictures.
I keep getting SVCHOST failures. Why?
When reporting a failure it's important to include all the relevant information. We'll outline some of the basics that help get your question answered.
I thought I deleted these files, how were they recovered?
Files may be gone, but frequently they're not forgotten. Depending on the scenario, files you thought were deleted might be easily recovered.
Is changing my password enough?
Changing your password is a common response to security breaches. Unfortunately, it may not be enough to recover.
Is copyright still an issue if something's not available anywhere?
Copyright is a complex topic, but the practical implications are often very simple. I'll look at availability and copyright and more.
Is deleting a file and emptying my recycle bin enough?
Deleted files might be easily recovered unless you take additional steps to ensure that they're not. I'll look at why and what to do.
Is it safe to buy software on EBay?
Software on EBay is often deeply discounted and very lucrative. The problem is that those deep discounts sometimes indicate issues to be wary of.
Is it safe to delete this file?
Looking for large files when running out of disk space makes sense. We look at the steps to determine whether a file, such as a .dat file, is important.
Your FTP program may or may not be secure. The real insecurity comes from the FTP protocol itself. I'll look at why, and what the alternatives are.
Is my ISP calling me to clear up my problems with Windows?
In a brazen scam attempt you may get a phone call from someone claiming to be your ISP to "help" you with your Windows problems. Don't fall for it.
My computer doesn't work, what do I do?
With very few clues folks often ask what might be broken if their computer does nothing. It's a long list, and I'll look at some possibilities.
My computers keep dying. Is it me?
Sometimes it's easy to feel almost cursed if computer after computer you deal with has problems. It's often not you at all, but rather the environment.
Secure Delete: what is it, and do I need it?
Secure Delete is a way to make sure that when you delete a file it cannot be recovered. Understanding Secure Delete is important to protect sensitive data properly.
Linux is often a viable alternative to extend the life of older machines. We'll look at some of the issues involved in switching to Linux.
So just what is a "Server" anyway?
The term "server" is used a lot in many contexts but is really just a computer, and quite often a computer that isn't all that special.
So, what do you think about Kindle?
Amazon's new Kindle electronic book reader has some truly compelling features, several issues and a few surprises. It may change the way I read books.
Someone has stolen my email address can you help?
We'll use one person's situation as a lesson in what not to do, and turn that around into a some steps and advice to keep your account and stay safe.
Someone used my credit card on-line illegally. What recourse do I have?
Identify theft is a growing problem. Using someone else's credit card illegally is the most common problem. There's not a lot you can do - except prevent it.
Someone's created an account in my name, what are my options to stop them?
It's easy to create an account in someone else's name and harass people. It's not so easy to track or punish the offenders, but it can be done.
Virtual Machines - What Are They?
Because I use a VM to present in webinars, I figured that it'd be a good time to demonstrate what they are and why they're so cool.
.BAK files are often left by file editing programs as backups of the previous version of a file. I'll look at how it works and touch on its history.
XML is a specification for structuring data in a file. Exactly what data, and what it might be used for, is not part of that specification.
Cabinet files are container files often used to distribute software. What to do with left over cabinet files after setup is done isn't always clear.
What are some other good support sites?
I don't have all the answers; I don't even have time for all the questions! Here are some additional resources to get your questions answered.
I recently had to rebuild my Window Vista laptop after a hard disk failure. Here's what I installed, and in the order that I installed it.
"Beta" traditionally refers to software that isn't finished but made available for pre-completion testing and feedback. It also means that using that software entails risk.
What does "Notification of Limited Account Access" mean?
"Limited Account Access" is a common phrase you'll find in many phishing scams. Occasionally, though, it's a legitimate notification from PayPal.
With all the digital data we take great care to secure, we need to consider who might need access to it and how if we're not around to unlock it.
What image format should I use?
There are a wide variety of image file formats around. I'll take a look at the most common, how they differ conceptually, and what they're good for.
Adobe AIR may appear on your machine if you install software that requires it. AIR is another library of functionality used by several applications.
Cloud computing is the latest buzzword for something that we've been doing for a long time: using applications that live on the web instead of our PCs.
I get lots of questions about what's the best software for various situations. I can't answer them all, but I can tell you what I'm using.
What's OEM software? Is it safe to buy?
OEM Software is heavily advertised, often in spam, at prices much cheaper than retail. The problem is that OEM software is often illegal.
What's a "live" CD? And why would I want one?
Live CDs are self-contained operating systems on a single bootable CD, DVD, or USB device. They're handy when your machine runs into trouble.
What's a "single point of failure", and why do I need to know?
You've probably seen Captcha's and not even realized it. Captcha's are used frequently to make sure that systems aren't gamed or spammed by machines.
What's a good portable PDF reader?
In casual computing the term instance frequently signifies one of multiple copies of the same running program.
32, like 16 before it and 64 to follow, is special simply because computers think in powers of 2, as does Windows itself.
What's the difference between RAW and JPG image formats?
Many digital cameras can save in either a “raw” or “jpg” format. I'll look at the difference between the two and offer guidelines on which to use.
What's the difference between a sandbox and a virtual machine?
Sandboxes and virtual machines share some characteristics, but they are fundamentally different technologies. I'll look at both from a high level.
Where can I get a PSP downgrade?
With different support resources offering frequently conflicting advice, how do you decide who's right? Which tech support resource do you believe?
Why can't I copy/paste out of a PDF document?
PDF format is an excellent way to share documents knowing that they'll display the same regardless of where viewed. You can do more, sometimes.
Why can't the poor just pirate software?
Commercial software can be expensive. Does not being able to afford it justify stealing? You can guess my answer, but better: theft isn't necessary.
Why didn't my backup program restore everything?
Backups are an important necessity. Making sure your backups are configured properly and backing up what you expect is equally important.
Why do I get odd characters instead of quotes in my documents?
The way characters are represented within computer documents and email isn't always the same everywhere, and things often get misinterpreted.
Why is my PDF so large compared to the original?
It's possible that a PDF created from a document may be larger, perhaps much larger, than the original. I'll look at a few reasons why this might be.
Why is using Paypal to purchase at a conference or open market such a bad idea?
Paypal is a fast and convenient way to pay someone from your computer. Using Paypal elsewhere, on someone else's computer, can be very, very dangerous.
Why isn't there 80 gigabytes of free space on my empty 80 gigabyte drive?
Why shouldn't I forward this email asking me to "forward to everyone I know"?
Every few days we get forwarded email warning us about everything from lost children to free money. They're mostly bogus and known as "Urban Legends".