The new year
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Dec 312020
Dec 292020
PC World’s annual advice on setting up a new PC. • PC World > “How to set up your new computer” by Brad Chacos, Senior Editor (Dec 25, 2020) … a new PC isn’t like a new car; you can’t just turn a key and put the pedal to the metal. Okay, maybe you can—but [Continue reading]
Oct 232020
If you recently got a new iPhone 12, or are planning to get one, this MacWorld article has tips on making a smooth transition from your old phone. If you typically get a new one every few years, then these tips are a helpful review. • MacWorld > “Did you just get your iPhone 12 [Continue reading]
May 042020
What with stay-at-home and work-from-home, I found this PC World article interesting. I talked with a friend over the weekend about using an external monitor with his notebook PC. He’d brought a 27″ monitor home from his employer’s office, and wanted to place multiple Office documents on separate screens. Note that the article considers 2K [Continue reading]
Feb 192020
Holy electron beams, Batman! Chips on a reel, eh. Ever wonder about how computer chips (microprocessors) that power your personal computer are made? Well, if you’re curious for a high level overview, this PC World article includes a YouTube video by Intel (below) and some additional manufacturing videos for other products. PC World > “This [Continue reading]
Dec 132019
Here’s an update to a topic discussed in my January 31, 2019, post “Best PC anti-virus — free or not” and whether Microsoft Windows 10’s built-in Windows Defender is adequate for many PC users. PC World > “Windows Security review: There are better options, but not for the ‘price’” – Windows Security (nee Windows Defender) [Continue reading]
Nov 202019
Forbes > How To Secure Your iPhone: 12 Experts Reveal 26 Essential Security Tips by Davey Winder, Senior Contributor, Cybersecurity (Nov 1, 2019) Just because you’ve invested in a smartphone that isn’t exposed to quite the same degree of malware and exploit issues as an Android device, that doesn’t mean you can safely ignore good [Continue reading]
Nov 202019
MacWorld > Best antivirus for Mac: Protect yourself from malicious software by Glenn Fleishman, Senior Contributor, Macworld (Nov 12, 2019) If you’re concerned about protection against malware on your Apple Mac computer, here’re some notes from MacWorld’s latest reviews. Summary Best overall antivirus software – Sophos Home Premium for Mac Best free antivirus software – Avast [Continue reading]
Aug 042019
UPDATE OCTOBER 19, 2019: “The best antivirus protection of 2019 for Windows 10 – Your PC needs protection against malware, and free antivirus software may be enough. Here’s the best antivirus protection to get for Windows 10, and what’s worth paying extra for” by Clifford Colby (October 19, 2019). CNET’s “best” recommendations stand from last [Continue reading]
Jan 312019
I’ve written previously about PC anti-virus / PC security programs. Annual PC World reports. Both free and paid (subscription) products. The best? Well, this recent PC World article “Recent antivirus tests are bad news for paid security suites” (January 30, 2019) has an interesting take on the question and the status of free options. Paid [Continue reading]
Jan 302019
Ever mistype a Web page address? Mistype the URL? Like typing “Gogle” instead of “Google.” Ever click a result from a Google search that looked like the site you wanted but took you to something else? With maybe some scary ads? Well, these two articles (links below) are a reminder about this common way criminals [Continue reading]
Sep 252018
Today Apple officially released a new version of its macOS. The name of the new system — “Mojave” — celebrates the desert rather than the mountains of the High Sierra, and updates to version 10.14 from 10.13.6. Available on your Mac from the Apple Menu > App Store > Featured > Mac App Store, Apple [Continue reading]
Sep 172018
It’s that time of year again. New Apple devices. New iPhones and watches, and new versions of the stuff that makes them work. MacWorld highlights the best new features in iOS 12 in this article: “How to use the coolest new features in iOS 12” (September 17, 2018). At last, iOS 12 is here, bringing [Continue reading]
Google privacy settings — check how you’re tracked
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Aug 282018
Another go at this topic, this time by PC World. The Google ecosytem is impressive, with devices and services which we use on a daily basis. Lots of services: search, contacts, calendar, web browsing, etc. Google Assistant, the digital personal assistant (butler). Lots of Google apps on our Android-powered smartphones. Google programs on our notebook [Continue reading]
Aug 282018
An annual review by PC World: “Best antivirus: Keep your Windows PC safe from spyware, Trojans, malware, and more” (updated August 27, 2018): Antivirus software is nearly as crucial as a PC’s operating system. Even if you’re well aware of potential threats and practice extreme caution, some threats just can’t be prevented without the extra [Continue reading]
Aug 202018
I’ve followed this topic for years: When and how often to charge your smartphone’s battery. What to do and not — in order to prolong the usable life of that battery (and so not worry about replacing the battery before you’re ready to get a new smartphone, eh). For many of us, charging the battery [Continue reading]
Jun 072018
Safari > Preferences > Websites > Auto-Play and audio for web site videos The other day a client thought that her built-in (internal) Apple computer’s speakers weren’t working. Well, more specifically, on her favorite news site, posted videos were playing without sound — muted. Her iMac recently had been upgraded to the latest macOS version. [Continue reading]
Jun 012018
I’ve been getting a lot of privacy policy update notifications in my email since last month. As part of terms and conditions for use of a product or service. All in response to the GDPR — General Data Protection Regulation, a European Union Regulation which was implemented on May 25, 2018. Many companies sell products and [Continue reading]
Mar 282018
I’ve noticed these types of scams for awhile: email messages (supposedly) from Apple purportedly about a payment or Apple ID or login from another device (which in fact you may not own). More and more email apps (especially on mobile devices) do not permit examination of the raw message text, which often permits detection of [Continue reading]
Mar 022018
Yesterday, PC World posted some articles regarding progress in the continuing Spectre and Meltdown saga. Intel quietly releases Spectre fixes for Haswell and Broadwell CPUs The fixed Spectre fixes are coming fast and furious now. Intel quietly pushed CPU firmware updates out for Haswell (4th-generation) and Broadwell (5th-generation) processors earlier this week, following in the [Continue reading]