July 29th, and Windows Ten

Folks, many of you (well, any Windows user, really) will ‘need to know’ the following…

* What happens to those free Windows 10 upgrades after July 29, 2016?

“We’re nearing the end of Microsoft’s unprecedented free upgrade offer for Windows 10. The offer officially expires July 29, 2016, on the one-year anniversary of the operating system’s initial release. But what happens then?” [Updated] Read more..

Once you’ve understood that, you may next want to refer back to the article I posted the other day: How to lock in your free Windows 10 upgrade and keep using your old Windows version

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Today’s quote: “The wise does at once what the fool does at last.” ~ Baltasar Gracian

Copyright 2007-2015 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Windows 10 “Upgrade” Nag – Disabled!

Folks, those of us who do not want Windows X (like, if you, mistrust “cloud” privacy invasions, enjoy Windows Media Center, or Hearts, or Spider Solitaire, or Chess Titans..) will want to read (and download) the following:

First, I wrote an article on KB3035583 and gwx.exe, here: GWX.EXE (Or, How To Remove the Windows 10 Upgrade Nag)

Next (and more importantly): Microsoft takes the gloves off, pushes Windows 10 upgrades even harder

“When Microsoft announced that Windows 10 would be a free upgrade for Windows users who had genuine copies of Windows 7 or 8, many praised the move as a smart way to ensure users, enthusiasts, and gamers would get the latest OS version. Since this spring, the bloom has been coming off that particular rose. The company’s invasive GWX application pesters users to upgrade, downloads the upgrade without your permission, “accidentally” forced some users to upgrade without recourse, announced that this program would be returning in near-term future, and now, is attempting to convince people they simply have no option but to upgrade.” Read more..

I have downloaded the standalone installer, and am keeping my fingers crossed it will keep me from having to repeatedly perform KB3035583 uninstalls… but I am keeping ‘ghost’ images of my machines stored just in case. Hey, Microsoft? Get the clue. These are our machines. And taking advantage of user cluelessness is a vile policy – shame on you – stop it!

Today’s quote: “If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.” ~ James Herriot

Copyright 2007-2015 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Warning: Critical Patch for Windows Issued

Oh, yes.. more of the same. Act now and protect yourself. * Microsoft releases emergency patch for all versions of Windows

“The flaw, affecting Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 8.1, can allow a hacker to take over a machine.” Read more..

And when I went to Start>Windows Update, I saw this new item..

No, thanks. I never want the first version of any thing.

Other news: More Items Like This * UCLA Health hit by hack; medical data on 4.5 million people exposed

“The LA-based university health system says the data stolen was not encrypted.” Read more..

[Silly me! I thought there were laws making such PII mandatory-encrypted.. ]

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Today’s quote: “Tolerance is giving to every other human being every right that you claim for yourself.” ~ Robert Green Ingersoll Copyright 2007-2015 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories. Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

If you build it, they will come

lapel-pin-US-flag

An item for you thinkers out there..

* Cryptocurrency mining malware discovered on surveillance DVRs

“Johannes Ullrich, dean of research with the SANS Technology Institute, posted on Monday that DVRs made by Hikvision, a video surveillance products and solutions supplier headquartered in China, were found to contain malware that mined for Bitcoins.” Read more..

What are the implications here?

(Puts a twist on the meaning of “Made in China” a bit, too, doesn’t it? But you should know that already: remember the “infected digital picture frames” [circa 2008] ? )

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Other tech: What you should know about Windows 8.1 Update

“The soon-to-be-released Windows 8.1 Update brings minor improvements that favor those using a mouse — in other words, most Win8 users.

Anyone currently on Windows 8.1 will want the update; those who still haven’t made the Modern plunge won’t be impressed.” Read more..

[ This actually does eliminate my main beefs about Win8. But I won’t be switching – it’s Win 7 for me still.]

Today’s free software:  IObit  PCtransfer

“To find a best solution to safely and thoroughly transfer data for XP users, IObit newly releases PCtransfer. It is a free, light, and portable data transfer tool that provides users with an easy and secure way to backup and restore data with one click. PCtransfer especially supports bookmarks and favorites backup on Internet Explorer 6 and 7, and also allows user to quickly select and backup the third-party programs and settings. PCtransfer not only helps user to transfer data from Windows XP system to new systems but also provide assistance to users for moving data to a new PC.”

Today’s quote: “The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do.” ~ B. F. Skinner

(I think he meant “humans”, or “people”, but..)

Copyright 2007-2014 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.
And please, never forget – one person can make a difference.
Find a way to make someone’s day today.
(Best advice I ever heard? Don’t sweat the small stuff.)

Windows XP Security Issues: Fact Vs. Fiction

I’m kinda tired of talking about this, but.. the clock is ticking. Should you care?

* Windows XP Security Issues: Fact Vs. Fiction
Are you prepared for the end of Microsoft support for Windows XP next month?

“In less than a month, Microsoft will stop supporting Windows XP, still the second most widely used PC operating system in the world. The company announced the OS’s April 8 termination date years ago, but with as many as 500 million XP systems still active last month, not everyone is going to make a move in time.” Read more..

Kinda related: Windows 8.1 Update 1: 10 Key Changes

“Windows 8.1 Update 1 makes the Modern UI and Start screen a little friendlier for the mouse-and-keyboard crowd. But it won’t silence critics.” See slideshow.

Today’s quote: “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. … We need not wait to see what others do.” ~ Ghandi

Copyright 2007-2014 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

---

All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.
And please, never forget – one person can make a difference.
Find a way to make someone’s day today.
(Best advice I ever heard? Don’t sweat the small stuff.)

A reading reco, and a FF video too

This article by Ed Bott looks at the new generation of devices that have now reached market, and are changing the way we compute (now that the PC is dead).

* The Windows ecosystem in 2013 is more diverse than you think

“Just what is a PC, anyway? In the past year, the traditional definition of a Windows-powered PC has been blurred as a wave of decidedly nontraditional devices appeared on the market. Here’s what I’ve learned after using more than 20 of those devices.” Read more..

[ this is one of those where the reader Comments are worth the read as well {all 4 pages of them}.]

And, a day late is better than a dollar short, right? Here’s this week’s Friday Fun video.

Kinda sorta related Additional Reading:
* Social Media Demographics: The Surprising Identity Of Each Major Social Network

“Each social media platform has cultivated a unique identity thanks to the demographics of the people who participate in the network. Some platforms are preferred by young adults, who are most active in the evening, others by high-income professionals, who are posting throughout the workday.” Read more..

Today’s quotable quote: “Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” ~ Nido Qubein

Copyright 2007-2013 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

A Lineup of Interesting Items

Folks, here are some items that have come to my attention that some of you might find interesting..

* New version of a portable malware scanner available..

Never be caught off-guard again: Try Emsisoft Emergency Kit 4.0 for free right away!

The Emsisoft Emergency Kit Scanner draws upon the award-winning dual scanner technology of Emsisoft Anti-Malware. Recent improvements to the cleaning engine ensure that malware removal is more thorough than ever. Naturally you are able to perform the removal yourself at no charge and our malware experts in the Emsisoft Support Forum are also available if you require advice or assistance.

* EaseUS contacted me and let me know they have a new utility available. I have not tried this, but you might want to be aware it exists..

We just released the world’s first free iPhone data recovery software, EaseUS MobiSaver Free

* And another company contacted me to let me know about their special giveaway. I have not tried this product either, don’t know a thing about them/it, but, here you go..

MacX Video Converter Pro Giveaway (v4.0.0 -Jul 12)

Best all-in-one solution to convert video, download video, make photo slideshow, record screen, edit video and more. Built in 320+ video and 50+ audio codecs, it supports a ton of input & output video formats, and a wide variety of presets for the latest mobile phones & tablets, including iPhone, iPad, Android, Samsung, WP8, PSP, Blackberry, etc. 32x faster and extraordinary quality.

Other news:

* Google’s Blogger to delete all ‘adult’ blogs with ads in three days

“Google has given blogs marked ‘adult’ on its Blogger service until Monday to cease monetizing or face deletion. Untold numbers of angry and panicked users forsee an SEO bloodbath.” Read more…

This is (just one reason) why you don’t ‘rent’ from a service provider (aka “cloud”) but own your own. Never know when they’ll change the rules (or go out of business)(or hand over your stuff to the gov.)(And yes, I know that’s what I am doing here on WordPress… but I’m giving stuff away, not trying to profit nor be private.)

* Things you didn’t know you could do online

“If you’re bored of Facebook, why not rent a husband or watch the African plains to pass the time?” Read more..

* Floating Russian nuclear plants: am I the only one who thinks this is a really bad idea?

“What worries me (in addition to everything else) is this: it’s a project that’s already run out of money once in a country known to cut corners on safety.” Read more..

And last but not least: The Ed Bott Report Everything you need to know about the Windows 8.1 Preview (FAQ)

“You’ve got Windows 8.1 questions. I’ve got answers. What’s the best way to install Windows 8.1? Can it be uninstalled? What’s new, what’s changed, what’s missing?” Read more..

Today’s quote: “If you want to make enemies, try to change something.” ~ Woodrow Wilson

Copyright 2007-2013 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.