Computer Tips -Tech Info

Author: Avery

  • Different attitudes towards upgrading and developing software

    So many times, even in the last few days, I have talked about keeping software up-to-date. For many people that means upgrading to the latest version of windows as soon as it comes out, or Office, or well… fill in the blank. It’s a vicious cycle when you think about it. So, is it necessary to REALLY chase the absolute newest version of anything that you use. The best answer is (more…)

  • How do I email lots of people without all their addresses showing up?

    OK, I’m prompted to post this because for the 2nd time this month I’ve received an “I’m changing my email address” message. In both cases, what appear to be 100-200 email addresses were all in the To: field and I cringed as I skimmed the list and found my more private address (that I usually don’t share) as one of them. (more…)

  • Bank of the west notice (sigh)

    Well, how long ago was I talking about phishing attacks? Just a few posts back it seems and in my inbox this evening was the above subject line. It’s almost funny, since I don’t actually HAVE an account with Bank of the West, but since I was feeling a bit curious I thought I’d pick it apart, see where it came from and where the site was hosted. (more…)

  • Google Maps – Satellite with Roads overlay

    Wow, I’ve been hoping for this for quite a while. Of course, I’ve mentioned that I use Google Maps quite a bit. They have had a satellite view and regular map view which has been invaluable. Sometimes though, I’ve wanted to overlay the road maps on top of the satellite to just make sure that I’m looking at the right road. Well now there is…Look at this (more…)

  • Microsoft files for patent on creating smiley face

    Microsoft frowned at for smiley patent You’ve got to be kidding. Apparently Microsoft has applied for a paten that translates a sequence of characters into a smiley face 🙂 I’ve typed that in with colon, dash, right parenthesis. (more…)

  • Shortwave Radio schedule browsing Application

    Ok, I have too many interests. One of them is listening to shortwave radio. I guess in many ways I’m a news junky. Also, I’m working on my Spanish so, listening to shortwave gives me vast listening resources. I know, I know, “can’t you stream the feeds over the web” Yes, many of them, but it’s just nice to get away from the computer and tinker with something completely different, a radio and hear the whistling and the drift, etc.

    One problem though with shortwave is (more…)

  • Great Article on Google search positioning and blogs

    I just read a great article at blogbusinessworld I think he’s got the right idea. Essentially, the point of the article is that blogs tend to interlink and form “content specific” communites. Political blogs would be a great example, usually there are a good deal of interlinkings between Political blogs. Since they are usually keyword rich it can help a sites search relevance in google by blogging and linking to (and being linked from) relevant and also highly linked to blogs. (more…)

  • Viewing Office file formats without Office installed

    OK, so you’ve received a Powerpoint presentation that you NEED to view, but can’t So the first reaction is to run out and buy Microsoft Office right? Well, no that doesn’t have to be the first choice. There are in fact a few options. (more…)

  • Grisoft AVG Antivirus and other antivirus alternatives

    Okay, so we know that having an antivirus scanner on a windows desktop is VERY necessary. Especially if it’s a system that has any contact with the outside world. So, what to choose. Well, of course there’s Symantec Norton Antivirus, there’s McAfee and a few other less well known (Kaspersky, F-Prot, Innoculate-IT) I’m rather fond of Grisoft’s AVG Antivirus though. Here are a number of reasons (more…)