IPhone and Android Apps Breach Privacy - WSJ.com

IPhone and Android Apps Breach Privacy - WSJ.com: "Few devices know more personal details about people than the smartphones in their pockets: phone numbers, current location, often the owner's real name—even a unique ID number that can never be changed or turned off."

These phones don't keep secrets. They are sharing this personal data widely and regularly, a Wall Street Journal investigation has found.

An examination of 101 popular smartphone "apps"—games and other software applications for iPhone and Android phones—showed that 56 transmitted the phone's unique device ID to other companies without users' awareness or consent. Forty-seven apps transmitted the phone's location in some way. Five sent age, gender and other personal details to outsiders.

Newegg.com - Acer G235HAbd 23'' 5ms 1920x1080 WideScreen LCD monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1

Newegg.com - Acer G235HAbd 23'' 5ms 1920x1080 WideScreen LCD monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1: for $140 and free shipping.

5 Egg Rating

Windows XP: Change the default opened folder in Windows Explorer

Windows XP: Change the default opened folder in Windows Explorer: Microsoft Windows Explorer, which is accessible through the Start menu, is the tool you use to look through the files and drives on your computer. When you start Windows Explorer from the Start menu, it opens your My Documents folder by default. However, a My Documents shortcut already exists on your Start menu. You can put the Windows Explorer shortcut to better use by changing it to display all top-level drives and folders on your system. This change will give you a broad, overall view of all your folders and files.

Windows XP: Set your windows so they all have the same view

Windows XP: Set your windows so they all have the same view: "Microsoft Windows XP lets you show the contents of folders in a variety of ways, such as a simple or detailed list of the files, or as thumbnail images. Each folder in My Computer or My Documents can have its own view. That’s useful for folders like My Music or My Pictures, because you can look at your digital photos in Thumbnails or Filmstrip view, and see your song titles in Tiles view. But changing the view for every folder can be time-consuming.

If you prefer to have all your folder contents displayed in a particular way, you can save yourself some time by changing the view for all the folders on your computer at once."

Teach Parents Tech

Teach Parents Tech Here is a site developed by a group of Google employees which is, as they put it “ designed to help “kids” teach their parents about computer basics.” The group has developed a series of 50 plus instructional videos, dealing with computer basics – the type of basic issues that often confuse new users.

Acer P205H 20 Widescreen LCD Monitor $69.98 AC (Starts Sunday 12/19) - dealspl.us

Acer P205H 20 Widescreen LCD Monitor $69.98 AC (Starts Sunday 12/19) - dealspl.us. Deal expires 12/20/10

Five last-minute gifts you can print at home | The Cheapskate - CNET News

Five last-minute gifts you can print at home | The Cheapskate - CNET News: "Well, here we are, just one week to go until the ho-ho-holiday. If you're a procrastinator like me, you might be scrambling to find a last-minute gift for, say, your trusty mail carrier, the kids' schoolteacher, or the office Secret Santa party.

No problem: all you need is a printer. The following stores let you print your own gift certificates for fast, easy, and downright special in-person giving:"

1. Amazon.com On any Amazon page, click the Gift Cards link, then choose Print a gift card. There's no longer a minimum, and you're not limited to increments: your certificate can be in the amount of, say, $27.09 if you want.

2. iCARD Formerly, Gifts.com, iCARD lets you buy certificates that can be redeemed for merchant gift cards. The extensive merchant list covers everything from AMC Theaters to L.L. Bean to Zappos. Alas, you're limited to a handful of amounts: $10, $25, $50, $75, and so on.

3. iTunes Obviously you can grab an iTunes gift card in just about any store on the planet, but did you know you can print your own? Just fire up iTunes, click Buy iTunes Gifts, and then choose Printable Gift Certificates. Amounts range from $10 to $50.

4. Netflix Netflix gift subscriptions start at $7.99 per month (down a buck from last year), and you can choose just about any duration you want: one month, three months, a year, etc. The $7.99 plan is for streaming only; if you want a DVD by mail as part of the gift mix, you'll need the $9.99/month plan.

5. Restaurant.com Once again, Restaurant.com is offering 80 percent off all its already discounted gift certificates (with coupon code PRESENT). That means you can get a $50 certificate for just $4, a $25 for certificate for $2, and so on. (I know the math seems weird, but trust me, it's right.) Even better, you can send a free $10 gift certificate to anyone and everyone on your list!

By the way, most of these gift certificates can also be e-mailed--perfect for last-minute gifts that can't be delivered in person. You know, for faraway relatives or, oh, beloved bloggers.

Disable delete confirmation dialog box in Windows XP or 7

Disable delete confirmation dialog box in Windows: The feature of Windows asking you if you really want to put the files in the Recycle Bin whenever you attempt to delete a file is to stop you from deleting a file by mistake or accident. The delete confirmation dialog box appears every time you give the command of deleting a file. However, there are times you are deleting many unnecessary files in order to clean up your hard drive. This delete confirmation dialog box will really bother you at such times and you would want to get rid of it as it takes up a lot of your time while you are deleting numerous files.

Follow these easy steps to disable delete confirmation dialog box :

1. Right-click on the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop.

2. Select Properties from the resulting menu. 

3. The Recycle Bin Properties dialog box will appear. Uncheck the Display delete confirmation dialog box at the bottom.

4. Click on the Apply and then the Ok button. 
 
The method to turn it on again is very simple too. Just follow the above steps and check the Display delete confirmation dialog box.

Tips & Tricks-Shortcuts

Put the Shut Down Icon on Your Desktop

Go to your desktop and right click somewhere clear then choose SHORTCUT from the NEW menu.
then enter:

1. shutdown -s -t 0
2. then click Next
3. then click Finish

For other things here are the codes:
Restart:  shutdown -r -t 0
Log-off: shutdown -l -t 0


To change the icon:

1. right click the new shortcut and open PROPERTIES
2. click the CHANGE ICON button
3. click OK from the next box (ignore any other comments, just click OK)
4. choose an icon
5. click OK
6. click OK again

It's done.

Tips & Tricks-Shortcuts

Do you find yourself hunting all over your hard drive to get from folder to folder, you can place a shortcut to the folders you use all the time on the desktop. Then, when you get to an Open dialog box, click the desktop icon (most dialog boxes have one - usually located next to the "location" drop box or along the side), then double-click the shortcut you created. Just like that you're in the folder you wanted.

If you want to set this up, all you need to do is create a folder shortcut on your desktop. To do that, open Windows Explorer (right-click My Computer, Explore) and find the folder you want to use. Then, right-click the shortcut, select Send To, Desktop. It will create a shortcut for that folder on your desktop.

How To Opt Out Of Google’s Advertising Tracking | PCMech

How To Opt Out Of Google’s Advertising Tracking | PCMech: "It is no secret that Google makes their money by tracking your activity online and targeting ads to you based on your browsing habits. This is accomplished through a comprehensive data mining algorithm, but it is ultimately driven by the data Google has on you. That said, if you want to opt out of Google’s tracking of your browsing habits for the purposes of advertising, Google does provide instructions.

The tracking is accomplished via a cookie which 'phones home' to Google. By following the instructions for your specific browser (a plugin for IE, Firefox and Chrome and a security setting for Safari), you can stop Google’s tracking of you. Alternately, if you use a browser plugin such as Ghostery for Firefox, you are most likely already opted out due to the protection it provides.

It is important to note that opting out of the advertising tracking does not mean you are opted out of all of Google’s tracking of you, such as your search history."

Do A Total Background Check On Yourself - The Consumerist

Do A Total Background Check On Yourself - The Consumerist: "Now you can know what Big Brother knows about you and get access to the same dirt everyone from your boss, landlord, insurance agent, to your favorite casino has on you. Here is a comprehenisve list of websites and phone numbers for most of the 'specialty' consumer reports, like your employment, rental, and check writing history. Be sure to check them out and correct any errors, before a crisis hits."

Home software inventory. All My Software™ by Bolide Software.

Home software inventory. All My Software™ by Bolide Software.: "Do you ever lose any registration information for purchased software?

Are your serial numbers, passwords etc. scattered about in notebooks or scribbled on bits of paper?

Do you want an organized system for keeping all of your registration records securely in one place?

Well, here is the answer to your prayers!

You will never lose your license details again if you use our home software inventory product, All My Software."

10 pieces of hardware you should replace rather than repair | 10 Things | TechRepublic.com

10 pieces of hardware you should replace rather than repair | 10 Things | TechRepublic.com: "Any time a computer component stops working, or just becomes unstable — as we all know will happen from time to time — we have to decide whether to replace it, have it repaired, or just get by as is with perhaps a temporary fix. Repair or just getting by will nearly always be the cheapest solution, at least in the short run. Replacement, however, will usually provide a good opportunity to upgrade. In fact, given the rate at which the various technologies behind computer hardware are advancing, unless you replace something a week after you buy it, you may almost be forced to upgrade.Following are a few items which, if replaced (and generally upgraded), can provide excellent benefits, from an enhanced user experience to additional compatibility, greater longevity, and stability for the whole system."

Smart Defrag - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Smart Defrag - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com: "It's hard to stand out in the crowded field of defraggers, but SmartDefrag is able to do so with an unexpected twist.

Along with quick analysis and scans, SmartDefrag boasts an automated defragger that continually defrags the files that you use the most, and does it without becoming a persistent drag on your system resources. When running in the background, the program only eats up 14MB of RAM, so it's possible to run it smoothly on older machines."

Free License Giveaway for BufferZone Pro Virtualization Application

Trustware - BufferZone-Threat Free Internet BufferZone, a virtualization application which creates an isolated environment called the Virtual Zone, while you surf the Internet. The Virtual Zone “buffers” your PC from all forms of known or unknown attacks, that originate from the Internet and external devices. Virtualization provides a strong layer of protection against malware infection while surfing the Net, and this license giveaway will give you an opportunity to run with the Pro version of BufferZone, and save $40.00 in the process.

How to Fax From Your Computer - PCWorld

How to Fax From Your Computer - PCWorld: "Step by Step: Using an Online Service

If connecting your phone line to your PC is troublesome, you can instead use any of several online fax services. All you need to do is upload the document you want to fax, and specify its destination. Many services even let you send a certain amount of data for free. We'll demonstrate how this works using the popular FaxZero service. Sites such as eFax and GotFreeFax.com operate similarly."

Use Your Car’s Security Alarm As A Home Burglary System | Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts

Use Your Car’s Security Alarm As A Home Burglary System | Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts: "This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It’s a security alarm system that you probably already have, and requires no installation."

Windows Live SkyDrive

Windows Live SkyDrive: 25 GB of free online storage. Store, access, and share thousands of documents, photos, and Microsoft Office files on Windows Live SkyDrive. SkyDrive password-protects your files so you control who has access to them.

WOT (Web of Trust) – Is It The Most Important Browser Security Add-on You Need To Install? � Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts

WOT (Web of Trust) – Is The Most Important Browser Security Add-on You Need To Install. � Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts

Kick Adobe Reader to the Curb! – Three Free Alternatives � Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts

Kick Adobe Reader to the Curb! – Three Free Alternatives � Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts

Using Adobe Reader? – Then Watch This Video Of Your Computer Being Penetrated � Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts

Using Adobe Reader? – Then Watch This Video Of Your Computer Being Penetrated � Bill Mullins' Weblog – Tech Thoughts:

WizMouse makes your mouse wheel work on the window under the mouse

WizMouse is a mouse enhancement utility that makes your mouse wheel work on the window currently under the mouse pointer, instead of the currently focused window. This means you no longer have to click on a window before being able to scroll it with the mouse wheel. This is a far more comfortable and practical way to make use of the mouse wheel.

Clean Up Windows

Some of the built-in functionality in Windows is underrated. The Disk Cleanup does a pretty handy job of wiping out junk you don’t need such as Microsoft Office temp files and old error reports.

To run Disk Cleanup, open My Computer. Right-click the drive the OS is installed on and click Properties. Under the General tab, you’ll see a Disk Cleanup button. Click it and the app will run an analysis of the machine. You can dump the Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, Offline Webpages, Microsoft Error Reporting Temporary Files, Recycle Bin, Temporary Files, Web Client/ Publisher Temporary Files, Temporary Offline Files, Offline Files, and Catalog Files for the Content Indexer with no ill effects.

Free Kindle Reading Applications

Amazon.com’s reader is available for the PC, Mac, iPhone, and is soon coming to an Android device near you. Get the best reading experience available on your PC. No Kindle required.

Find Duplicate Files

Duplicate Cleaner 1.4.5b. Find and delete duplicate files, mp3s, photos, old documents and much more. This fully featured, program will work at home or in a networked environment. Best of all Duplicate Cleaner is freeware, meaning you get the full program and it doesn't cost a thing! Use the download button on left side of screen. On the page that comes up, click the third line from top " Download DuplicateCleaner 1.4.5b from DigitalVolcano". Do not click the Free Scan button, it is an advertisement for another program.

Resize any non resizeable dialog box on windows

Majority of settings dialog boxes on windows have fixed dimensions. Users cannot resize them as per requirement. Now you can easily tweak windows to resize any non resizeable dialog box using portable ResizeEnable tool. It adds functionality that allows user to resize any windows dialog box by dragging it from either size of the dialog box.

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 2.1

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) is an easy-to-use tool that helps small- and medium-sized businesses determine their security state in accordance with Microsoft security recommendations and offers specific remediation guidance. Improve your security management process by using MBSA to detect common security misconfigurations and missing security updates on your computer systems.

Office Web Apps Now Available on Windows Live

Office Web Apps are free web-based version of Microsoft's Office productivity suite. It includes the web-based versions of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft OneNote. The web apps allow users to access their documents directly from anywhere within a web browser as well as share files and collaborate with other users online. Supported web browsers include Internet Explorer 7 and later, Mozilla Firefox 3.5 and later, Google Chrome and Safari 4.

Ban Time-Wasting Web Sites

Two ways to keep yourself from thoughtlessly scampering down the rabbit hole that is the web by limiting your access to day-sucking web sites.