Tiplet expert tips & tech support

March 29, 2009

Deleting Persistent Hidden Internet Files or Cookies

Filed under: Internet,privacy & security — Tags: , , , , , , — admin @ 1:00 pm

by David Hakala

Q: “Is it possible to delete persistent Internet files (hidden files) from Windows and if so how can I do this without much cost?” — Ahmed

I am going to assume that Ahmed is referring to persistent cookies. Other types of files hidden by Windows are hidden for a reason: Deleting them can play havoc with your computer. But cookies can be deleted safely, easily, and with no cost at all. Cookies are “hidden” only in the sense that they are buried in obscure subfolders and named cryptically.
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Ordering Prints with Apple’s iPhoto

Filed under: Macintosh,photos and video — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 8:00 am

by Nathaniel Poor

Apple’s iPhoto is pretty great for organizing your digital photos, but how does it perform when you ask it to handle the creation of some actual photographs – you remember, as in, on paper? Having iPhoto transfer photos from your iPhone or digital camera to your computer is a no-brainer, and it turns out that ordering actual photos through iPhoto is pretty easy as well, and the results are great and should last longer than your hard drive. You can always print photos on your color printer, but color-matching is often a problem, and unless you have special paper the images fade over time. iPhoto allows you to easily order actual photographic prints through Kodak’s Print Service.
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March 28, 2009

How Can I Make Sure Only Certain People See My Twitter and Facebook Information?

Filed under: Internet,privacy & security,social networking — Tags: , , , — admin @ 5:00 pm

by Tina Gasperson

Social networking is fun, but you have to be careful about monitoring your privacy in online communities and behaving accordingly. Otherwise the whole world might see you with the cyber-equivalent of a lampshade on your head at the company Christmas party. Either watch what you type, or make sure your privacy settings are set to prevent anyone you don’t want nosing in your personal business from doing so.
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How to Minimize Spam and Avoid Falling Victim to It

Filed under: e-mail,privacy & security — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 1:00 pm

by David Hakala

Spam is “unsolicited commercial email” by most people’s definitions. There is debate over whether non-commercial unsolicited mail should be called spam, but it’s of concern mainly to the nonprofits and political organizations who don’t want to be tarred with the “spam” brush. Unrequested mail from anyone who wants your money or time is spam.

Spam is a huge problem on the Internet. Long ago, spam email passed the 50 percent mark as the largest category of traffic on email servers. Spam imposes heavy costs on ISPs as well as end users. How can you protect yourself from spam and avoid contributing to its traffic congestion?
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March 27, 2009

How to Prevent Repetitive Stress Injuries Like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Filed under: computer-related health — Tags: , , , — admin @ 5:00 pm

by Tina Gasperson

Computer use is particularly well-suited to the occurrence of repetitive stress injuries (RSI), which happens when a joint is subjected to repeated movement and overuse. Working a mouse and typing on a keyboard can be very stressful to the wrist joints, and once an RSI-related condition like carpal tunnel syndrome sets in, it can be difficult to reverse.
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Windows Backup Software

Filed under: data storage and recovery,Windows — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 1:00 pm

by David Hakala

It may be a pain to back up your data, but some day you will be glad you did. No one goes a lifetime without a fatal computer crash, and a recent backup copy can save precious financial records, irreplaceable photos, and all your other valuables.

Windows XP includes a program called NTBackup.exe that can make backing up your data easy. If you use Windows XP Professional, it’s already installed. If you use Windows XP Home Edition, you will have to install the backup utility from your Windows installation CD. Here’s how:
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How Can I Keep My Network Router Secure and Problem Free?

Filed under: computer hardware,Internet,privacy & security — Tags: , , — admin @ 8:00 am

by Gabe Goldberg

You’re probably tired of hearing about keeping your operating system, applications, and assorted safety software programs (anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-rootkit, anti-phishing, anti-vampire, whatever) updated. Not to mention being really tired of actually doing all this work. After all, you bought your computer to use, not to tinker with. And if you support multiple computers, it seems that your work is never done.
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March 26, 2009

How to Tell If Your Windows XP Computer Has High-Speed USB

Filed under: computer hardware,computer performance,Windows — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 5:00 pm

by Tina Gasperson

Microsoft reports that most computers sold after 2002 are USB 2.0 enabled. USB 2.0 is the latest version of USB, also called high-speed USB because it supports devices that use the high-speed specification. Most new USB devices are made using this specification. If you plug one of these into a computer that is not equipped with a high-speed USB port, or one that does have a USB 2.0 port but is missing the proper drivers, you will either get an error message, or the device will work, but at less than its full capability. That would be a waste of your money – so it’s better to make sure your device capability matches your computer capability.
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Hard Drive Recovery

Filed under: computer hardware,computer performance,Windows — Tags: , , , , , , — admin @ 1:06 pm

by David Hakala

Probably the worst sight a computer owner can see is this message on an otherwise black screen:

“No boot device, please insert a bootable media.”

Your hard drive is hosed. Windows won’t start, even as far as the Recovery Console. What is wrong, and what are you going to do?
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How Can I Access My Email While Traveling?

Filed under: e-mail,mobile computing,online computing,Windows — Tags: , , , , , , , — admin @ 10:00 am

by Gabe Goldberg

Anyone who uses email regularly, whether for business or personal communication, gets serious jitters when cut off from it. Fortunately, there are many ways to stay in touch away from home; the biggest problem can be explaining to people you’re visiting or traveling with why you want to.

One reason to stay caught up is that some ISPs impose limits on the amount of email they’ll store for you; if you exceed your quota, subsequent email will be rejected and bounced back to senders. That’s especially bad when it happens to mailing list traffic, since you may be unsubscribed. So, while it’s tedious, it’s sometimes worthwhile to suspend list mailings while you’ll be away.
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