Curious About Windows 8? | Cure Update Install Troubles | E3 | More

The other day, I mentioned that “tech” is evolving at a tremendous rate, and things are – indeed – changing. If you read sites like mine, you probably have heard that Windows 8 “is coming”. (Which kind of adds a certain emphasis to what I wrote back in March: It is time to face facts and finally dump Windows XP.)

I don’t know if you know this, but a lot of “tech journalism” is.. well, in a word, hype. But, if you are curious how our technology is changing, Microsoft’s vision of the future, and what Windows 8 might be bringing us, Woody Leonhard just published the best write up/review to date (aka “not hype”) on Windows Secrets: What you need to know now about Windows 8.

“If you’ve heard that Windows 8 is for the dogs or that it will look like a phone, you haven’t heard the whole story.

Permit me to step you through what we know about Windows 8 and give some insight into what we don’t know. Microsoft has dropped a few hints — some intentionally, some inadvertently — about where we’re headed.

One thing’s for sure: Windows 8, as we know it now, represents a huge departure for Microsoft — a rethinking of the way people interact with their machines. Some of it’s familiar; some of it’s scary. A whole lot of it is very new. Like it or not, Win8 will likely change the way we work through our PCs.” Read more..

… I know some of you are thinking, “What?! Windows Eight?? Seven just got here!”

Tech gives birth to the next generation every 18 months (to 2 years). It’s called “Moore’s Law”.

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Troubleshooting Help: Get Rid of Windows Update and Service Installation Pack Issues

“Windows Update is a critical part of Microsoft’s operating systems. However, it’s also one of the more fragile Windows components, with update issues among the most common problems that plague users.” Read more..

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Heads Up! You Have Exactly Three Passwords, Don’t You?

“An independent analysis of passwords leaked after Sony was hacked show why most of us need to stop being lazy about protecting our information.” Read more..

[Truth (as I see it): most of you use a single password over and over. And over. Has your bank account been drained by a hacker yet? No? You are one lucky son of a gun! (so far). With luck like that, you should be buying Lotto tickets.]

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Related: Citigroup acknowledges data security breach

“Citigroup Inc. has publicly acknowledged a breach of its systems that exposed the data of about 200,000 bank card holders in North America.

Citi said the information stolen by hackers include account numbers, email addresses, phone numbers and other sensitive data. Details about the breach are scarce. The Financial Times reported that the breach was discovered by the bank in early May.” Read more..

Seems I read some headline like that, oh.. three times a week?

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I Love Big Brother: Facebook Turns On Facial Recognition, Prompting Concern

“Security firm Sophos on Tuesday expressed concern that Facebook’s facial-recognition technology had been turned on by default. The social-networking site acknowledged that it should have been more communicative about the service’s roll-out, but did not announce plans to make it opt-in.” Read more..

Concern? Where’s the outrage? Yes folks, people with a little IT security savvy place tape over their webcam’s lens, and remove it when they want to “vid”. (The little green light does not have to come on, you know.)

Crazy world gettin’ crazier…

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On a lighter note: E3 2011 is in progress. Those of you with a bit of “gamer” in your blood may want to visit Gamespot and watch their videos of the Expo. See what’s coming our way in terms of ‘cutting edge’ tecnology. To visit, click here. The “live” feed for today starts at 10 Pacific.

Today’s quote: “Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.”  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Copyright 2007-2011 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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"Free", "Cash Back", "Rebate", and Alarm Bells

“When you see the words “free”, “cash back”, and “rebate” on a website, alarm bells should ring in your head.”

The Subscription Trap

If you’ve ever opened your credit card bill to find that you’ve inadvertently joined a club you’ve never heard of, at a cost of $10 or more a month, you’re not alone. Millions of Web consumers have been snared by similar tactics. Our tips will help you fight back.

How can companies make more than a billion dollars selling a service that almost no one wants? By signing up millions of members who don’t know that they’re becoming members.

Folks, if you ever do any online shopping at sites like Orbitz, Priceline, Shutterfly, FTD, Hotwire, Buy.com, Classmates.com, Intellius, 1-800-Flowers, MovieTickets.com, Avon, Barnes & Noble, Budget, GMAC Mortgage, Staples, US Airways and Ticketmaster, etc., you need to be aware of certain facts…

“Getting your money back isn’t easy. According to some angry consumers, getting a full refund required writing a letter (the old fashion way) and waiting months to receive a credit card chargeback…

Tom Spring has a “must read” article, published in this month’s PCWorld. Please, click here and read about this scandalous outrage, and the steps you can take to avoid getting snared into a “subscription trap”.
This information is so important, I not only encourage you to read it, but also to forward it on to all your friends and family.

Today’s free download: Microsoft Security Essentials
Free, effective, lifetime antivirus/anti-Spyware. 64-bit. It’s one I use, and recommend.

Copyright 2007-2010 © Tech Paul. All Rights Reserved. post to jaanix.

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