Tiplet expert tips & tech support

April 21, 2009

File Extension kmz

Filed under: file extensions — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 3:00 pm

Extension: kmz

What is it? Google Earth Saved Working Session

Where’s it from? Kmz files are created by the online Google Earth geographical information system (GIS). Google Earth is used to locate points on the planet and display satellite image information about locations.

How do I use it? Users don’t use kmz files. Google Earth accesses them when you are using it.

Can I safely delete or move it? Yes, but you will lose the file’s information about your saved Google Earth session. So you will have to start all over again or forget it.

Can it be dangerous? No malware has been reported that exploits kmz files.

–David Hakala

How to Upgrade Your Laptop Hard Drive

Filed under: computer hardware,computer memory,Windows — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 1:04 pm

by Tina Gasperson

Q: I’d like to upgrade my older laptop’s hard drive from 30GB to 160GB or 250GB. Several companies claim 100 percent compatibility but the specs don’t seem to be compatible. How can I make sure I’m buying the right hard drive? — Mary

The safest route to finding a compatible hard drive to upgrade your laptop is to go to the manufacturer. Turn your laptop upside down and look for the manufacturer name and the model number and write them down. Now, go directly to the official Web site and search for replacement parts for your laptop model. By purchasing your new hard drive from the manufacturer, you can be sure that your upgrade will go as smoothly as possible.
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April 20, 2009

“Cannot find server” Error when Browsing the Web

Filed under: Internet,online computing — Tags: , , , , , , — admin @ 3:00 pm

by David Hakala

Occasionally while Web browsing or checking email, you may get an error message to the effect that your browser or email program “cannot find the server at…” some address. Therefore you can’t get the email or Web page that you want. There are several possible causes and cures for this problem.
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File Extension sys

Filed under: file extensions — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 11:09 am

Extension: sys

What is it? Windows System file (most common)

Where’s it from? A sys file stores system settings and variables used by the Windows and MS-DOS operating systems. The information is stored in plain text and is often understandable by humans, i. e., PATH=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32.

How do I use it? While it is possible to alter sys files using any text editor or word processor, only advanced users who really know what they’re doing should attempt it. The wrong edit can cause your computer not to start, or to crash unexpectedly.

Can I safely delete or move it? No.

Can it be dangerous? No.

–David Hakala

How to Use a USB Stick to Boot to Linux

Filed under: Linux — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 8:00 am

by Tina Gasperson

Did you know that you can get a USB stick with Linux pre-loaded on it, and run it as a self-contained operating system that makes no changes to your hard drive? As long as your computer is capable of booting from a USB drive, you will have no problem booting to and trying out Linux.
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April 19, 2009

Daemon Tools

Filed under: applications,digital media,Windows — Tags: , , , — admin @ 5:00 pm

by David Hakala

DAEMON Tools is a Windows software suite that makes files that are exact images of CD and DVD discs. You can store these disc images on your hard drive and use them exactly as if they were physical discs in your CD/DVD drive. You can also burn disc images to CD or DVD discs as backups, or even transfer disc images over the Internet.
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How and Why to Disable Javascript in Your Browser

Filed under: computer performance,Internet — Tags: , , — admin @ 2:00 pm

by Tina Gasperson

Javascript is a very important programming language that, along with its cousin Java, makes it possible for most of the user-interactivity that happens when you’re using a browser application to navigate the World Wide Web. Without Javascript, your ability to experience the richness of some of your favorite Web sites is curtailed. However, it is still completely possible to browse online without Javascript enabled.

Most browsers have security settings that can disable Javascript, since it can pose a security threat when malicious coders write a program with Javascript that is designed to invade your system and take it over. And while this happens only when Javascript is given unfettered access to your computer and you aren’t using an antivirus program, many users, especially those running Internet Explorer, prefer to completely disable Javascript
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File Extension rar

Filed under: file extensions — Tags: , , , — admin @ 11:00 am

Extension: rar

What is it? WinRAR Compressed Archive File

Where’s it from? WinRAR, a popular Windows file compression and archiving program.

How do I use it? WinRAR is explained at the RARLAB Web site.

Can I safely delete or move it? Yes.

Can it be dangerous? Yes. Use antivirus software on any archive file before opening it.

–David Hakala

How Can I Correct a Batch of Filenames Under Windows?

Filed under: file extensions,Internet,photos and video,Windows — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 8:00 am

by Cameron Laird

A family friend first asked this one: her camera uploaded photographs as:

001.JPG
002.JPG
003.JPG

… and so on.

but her “content-management” software would only incorporate .jpg files to her Web site. What to do?
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April 18, 2009

Free Spyware Removal

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

by David Hakala

Spyware is software secretly installed on one’s computer that monitors its activity and reports back to a remote listener. But spyware can do more than monitor. It can quietly download and install other malicious software. It can sniff through your email and personal financial software for sensitive information such as Social Security Numbers and passwords to bank accounts, and transmit that to bad guys. It can alter computer settings to redirect Web browsers to the wrong sites or slow down your Internet connection. Spyware is not something you want on your computer.
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How and Why to Enable Javascript in Your Browser

Filed under: computer performance,Internet — Tags: , , — admin @ 2:00 pm

by Tina Gasperson

JavaScript is a very important programming language that, along with its cousin Java, makes it possible for most of the user-interactivity that happens when you’re using a browser application to navigate the World Wide Web. Without Javascript, your ability to experience the richness of some of your favorite Web sites is curtailed. It is still possible to browse online without Javascript enabled. Most browsers have security settings that can disable JavaScript, since it can pose a security threat when malicious coders write a program with Javascript that is designed to invade your system and take it over. This happens only when Javascript is given unfettered access to your computer and you aren’t using an antivirus program. A happy medium is to enable JavaScript, but to limit its application, and make sure you have a fully up to date antivirus running, as you always should any time you go online.
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