Internet Provider Security-Just say No!

It seems once again in my area, one of the local Internet providers (Shaw) has sent out their promotion to get everyone to use their built in security services and once again I am finding myself responding to numerous questions about this and "should I get this service?"   Quite simply, NO.  

Then why not?  You ask yourself when you start to install the service. You will first find it telling you to uninstall any built in antivirus software and then TURN OFF YOUR WINDOWS FIREWALL.   Excuse me but this is also why I have stopped using Symantec Services like Norton's Antivirus and Security.  You can read more about this from my previous posts here as well as previously to that here .

New Avant Browser Available

I don't always announce it when AvantBrowser comes out with a new build but figured it was time, since I have found as of late, many computers that I have connected to running quite an outdated build. You should remember that the web browser is your first line of defense and when there are updates available, this is typically because there is a security or bug fix that may make quite a difference with the overall performance of your system. As always, you can get it directly from the SOFTWARE/SUPPORT page here.

Relax-you are backed up aren't you?

It truly amazes me, how much of a panic people are in when their computer crashes and how incredibly hopeful they become and say "oh, I hope you can recover my files, I am dead without them", yet when I mention to some  for the price of the largest coffee you can buy at Starbucks once a month, your data could be safe. Its really that simple. If for no other reason than the near heart attack  you have when you realize you may have lost all of your important data! 

There may be other services online that offer you storage online but nothing is as simple as Carbonite , especially since you do nothing once it is installed and it just works, backing up unlimited amounts of data on your computer (internal hard drives only).  Also, the fact that you have the ability to pass it on to your friends and get three free months added to your own account, its like getting a year for free with only 4 friends. As if you really needed more encouragement!

Wolfram Alpha Search

I'm one in 101 people... that is, with the name Michael, in the USA, which is currently ranked 2nd in names in 2007.. according to this new search that provides a full breakdown in a great format. It also states that there are 3.907 million people with the name Michael currently alive today... now, why would I want to know this? Well give it a try and see what your name brings up.

TECHNICAL-Clearing DNS Cache

There are times when clearing the DNS cache fails and so this little tip will get your DNS service going again. As AppScout explains.

Hotspot Shield

If you live in Canada, or any other country other than the USA, you are going to want to install this little application which places your computer behind an American Proxy so that you can enjoy websites like Hulu and the other networks, CBS, NBC and ABC.

Considering you do get these American TV Stations and there is advertising on these websites as well, there really is no reason you shouldn't be able to enjoy their programming as well!

TECHNICAL-My Documents opens when windows xp starts

I am pretty sure I have blogged about this before, but when I search for it, I can't find it. Therefore I will point to the link that fixes this problem.

That problem being when you start your windows xp computer, the "my documents" folder opens.

Here is the link to the Microsoft Support page to fix it. 

You really have to love Twitter

It seems as I try to explain Twitter to my clients, that is gets even more difficult to do so without pointing them to some twitter result pages.  How is one supposed to create those result pages for clients without any history?  That is where the learning curve resides and that is where I hope to solve this problem!

remote connection

What really blows me away is the fact that I have set up the ability to connect remotely to client computers that I have worked on in the past, whether that was last month or 2 years ago.. the fact is, I find so many people not taking advantage of the fact that they have someone that can keep their computer free and clear from all their own blunders they create as they surf the web, but instead continue to not contact me until their system is completely screwed!

Consulting is a bad word in the tech community.. apparently!

It appears from the tech guru's that using the name 'consulting' or 'consultant' means you know very little of what is going on, or quite simply, it is old terminology... well, that is why I also use the term 'futurist!'  are you going to tell me that is out of date as well?

Fishing in BC? Buy your license online!

Okay, so maybe I am a year behind with this one as I heard from a friend they bought theirs online last year and so this year I decided I would do the same. Imagine my surprise when doing a search for BC Fishing License Online, the first bunch of results were blogs like this with a link to here, to buy your license.  You would think the BC Government would be able to do a little S.E.O here. But then again, when would anything that deals with the government actually make sense.