2012
Double your monthly 3G or LTE allowance for free
Would you like to double your monthly data plan for free? Then go ahead an immediately download the FREE Onavo Extend for iPhone, iPad or Android. WHAT IS ONAVO EXTEND? Onavo Extend is a data compression service that works quietly in the background [anytime you are on 3G or LTE] to minimize the amount of data your smartphone consumes. It is completely transparent and magically works to reduce your overall usage. WHY DO YOU NEED ONAVO EXTEND? There are 3 scenarios where Onavo Extend really shines:
Get Crashplan unlimited online backup for $12 for 1 year (PROMO)
BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL If you need an online backup service for your computer files, Crashplan is running a crazy sale. (Price increases every 2 hours until the end of the promo). Right now you can buy the family unlimited plan (you can backup up to 10 computers online - unlimited storage) for $12US. https://www.crashplan.com/bigsale/ Its cheaper and better than Carbonite, Mozy or Backblaze
The story of how Windows 8 was designed
Jensen Harris was involved in the design features of Windows 8 and he recently presented the story at UX Week. He highlights Microsoft's core belief that if you give people enough good reasons, they will accept change (regardless of how radical it is). Let us not forgot that Microsoft has lead computing change over the last 3 decades : moving from DOS to Windows 3.1 moving from Windows 3.1 to windows 95 Moving from Windows 95 to Windows 8 Sure there were evolutionary changes in between but these represent the really big paradigm shift points.
Windows8 TIP - Get Windows Media Center upgrade for Free
In a moment of incoherence, Microsoft decided to break Windows Media center out of Windows 8 Pro and make it available as a separate upgrade package. Even if you don't connect your PC to a TV, it is still good to have because it includes the DVD playback CODECs (ie. you won't be able to play DVDs on a Windows 8 computer without it or another third party app). The upgrade will cost uses $9.99 but luckily Microsoft is offering it for free until January 2013.
AppRemover uninstalls security & filesharing applications
I previously wrote about my favorite app uninstaller called Revo, it is worth the 5 minutes to read that article. As mentioned in the above linked article about Revo, it will do a fantastic job for 99% of the applications on your windows 7/8/Vista/Server 2003 computer. Then we get to the 1% which is the wonderful world of security apps. These little gems are a must but need to deeply embed themselves into your operating system in order to perform their work.
Windows8 TIP - Keyboard shortcuts
There are several dozen keybaord shortcuts but I just wanted to share the bare minimum you need to know to be efficient. Windows Key - brings up the new Start Menu interface Windows Key + C - Brings up the charms bar Windows Key + D - Hide or display the desktop Windows Key + E - Open "Windows Explorer" Windows Key + F - Open the Charms Search for Files tool Windows Key + Q - Open the Charms Search for Apps Windows Key + R - Open the run dialog box Windows Key + TAB - Cycle through the Metro apps.
PicBackMan helps protect your pictures
Of everything I have on my home PC, nothing is more important than my pictures and I am sure many of you are in the same boat. In a previous article, I spoke about the 3-2-1 backup strategy to protect your irreplaceable files. So how do you "easily backup your digital treasures" onto multiple online services? Enter PicBackMan. It is a simple program that can help backup your social network pictures (locally) and at the same time backup your local pictures to one or more online services.
Windows 8 for IT Pros free eBook
This is an interesting free eBook about Windows 8 aimed primarily at IT professionals working with Windows 8. The eBook has 147 pages in 11 chapters covering: Hardware Innovations - Touch; Long battery life; Thiner, lighter, faster; Sensors and security; New Form Factors Experiencing Windows 8 - Walk-through the new UI and key improvements to Task Manager and File Explorer. Customizing and Configuring Windows 8 - Profile customization, Tile configuration, PC Settings, Redesigned NTFS Networking Enhancements - BranchCache, DirectAccess, Mobile broadband, IPv6 Deploying Windows 8 - Windows 8 SKUs, Application Compatibility, User State Migration, Deployment and Imaging, Windows PE, Volume Activation Management Tool, Windows-to-Go Delivering Windows Apps - Windows app lifecycle, Distributing via Windows Store, Distributing with an Enterprise Windows 8 Recovery - File History, Refresh and Reset, Windows Recovery Environment, DaRT, Advanced Options Windows 8 Management - PowerShell 3.
Google Maps coming back to IOS
We all know about the public backlash when Apple decided to remove Google Maps from its IOS 6 operating system. To be completely honest, the version of Google Maps bundled with previous versions of IOS felt old and unpolished. I know many are complaining that Apple's new IOS maps are bad but I don't agree. Apple Maps is graphically stunning and the app design is intuitive. Sure they have plenty of improvement opportunities, but I find it usable. Google Maps coming back to IOS devices If you miss Google Maps take heart, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) is reporting that "
How to protect yourself on social networks
Social networks are interesting things, they allow people to connect and share data. Casinos spend billions of dollars to carefully design every aspect of their location, games and services to maximize your spend. Social networks spend a great deal of time figuring out how to "encourage" you to over-share. The advantage social networks have is that they are impersonal and thus users seem to be willing to share far more information online than they would during a face to face encounter.
Taiwan Suppliers start producing Blackberry 10 devices
RIM's market guidance was that it's new Blackberry 10 equipped devices would be released sometime in Q1 2013 which means they would have to start production a couple of months before. Now Digitimes is reporting that “Taiwan-based handset component makers including Silitech Technology, Ichia Technologies as well as ODM Wistron are expected to begin small volume production of RIM’s BlackBerry 10-based products in December.” The statement is logical but Digitimes seems to have a 50/50 success rate at predicting new handset manufacturing dates.
Windows8 TIP - Take a screenshot
In previous versions of Windows, you have to press the PRINT SCREEN button then go into some type of photo app like Paint, paste the screenshot and then save it. In Windows 8, all you have to do is press the WINDOWS KEY + PRINT SCREEN and it automatically takes a screenshot and saves it to your pictures folder (in PNG format) under a new folder called Screenshots. Unfortunately it simply calls is Screenshot (1).png, where the number is added to each time.
What is the US Fiscal Cliff?
Read any newspaper, watch any newscast or listen to any economics radio show and you will hear the term fiscal cliff over and over (even outside of the US). Many of my non US readers may be wondering, what is this cliff and why is everyone so excited about it. What is the fiscal cliff The fiscal cliff is a new term to describe a confluence of events that will occur at the end of 2012 unless US elected officials can come to a financial agreement and change course.
FREE Window 8 for Dummies pocket eBook
Dell is offering a Free Windows 8 for Dummies eBook right now. You fill out the request form and are immediately given a special download link. It is a short ebook with 147 information packed pages. It covers some of the more important topics like the new Start screen, the new desktop, your different storage option, social apps and the 10 things you’ll hate about Windows 8 (and how to fix them). I went through the book and found the information useful and definitely worth downloading for anyone migrating to a new Windows 8 PC or a Windows 8 tablet.
Play flash videos on iphone/ipad with the Puffin Internet Browser
Puffin is an IOS (iPhone, iPad or iPad mini) internet browser that leverage’s a back-end cloud infrastructure to deliver a desktop like web browsing experience on your smartphone or tablet. Because the rendering is done on their cloud servers, you get the desktop version of the webpage streamed to your device much faster than the built in local browser. Another benefit of this cloud processing technology, all Flash content on web pages works. Download it for IOS Download it for Android
RIM has scheduled a media event for January 30 2013
What do we have here? RIM has scheduled a media event to launch their Blackberry 10 OS and 2 devices January 30 2013.... Expect them to fully spill the beans at the event including release date, full feature list, operator support and pricing. “In building BlackBerry 10, we set out to create a truly unique mobile computing experience that constantly adapts to your needs. Our team has been working tirelessly to bring our customers innovative features combined with a best in class browser, a rich application ecosystem, and cutting-edge multimedia capabilities.
Is Microsoft going through your cloud stored files?
As the CISO of a large multinational organization, I understand the fine balance between flexibility/usability and security. Absolute usability means no security and vise versa. So when I look at cloud storage solutions like Dropbox, Skydrive, Google Drive, SugarSync , Cubby, iCloud & al, I understand the attraction. You pay a reasonable monthly fee and all of your important data is backed up to the cloud and available everywhere on all your devices. They provide ultimate flexibility. Unfortunately the average consumer isn’t thinking about the security of their in-cloud files, because this would add a layer of complexity and would reduce the ease and flexibility of the solution.
Free ebook: Programming Windows 8 Apps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
Microsoft Press is offering a free developer oriented Windows 8 book . The book comes in the expected PDF format and can be downloaded here. Unlike other free eBooks, this one is a whopping 834 pages: Chapter 1: The Life Story of a Windows Store App: Platform Characteristics of Windows 8 Chapter 2: Quickstart Chapter 3: App Anatomy and Page Navigation Chapter 4: Controls, Control Styling, and Data Binding Chapter 5: Collections and Collection Controls Chapter 6: Layout Chapter 7: Commanding UI Chapter 8: State, Settings, Files, and Documents Chapter 9: Input and Sensors Chapter 10: Media Chapter 11: Purposeful Animations Chapter 12: Contracts Chapter 13: Tiles, Notifications, the Lock Screen, and Background Tasks Chapter 14: Networking Chapter 15: Devices and Printing Chapter 16: WinRT Components: An Introduction Chapter 17: Apps for Everyone: Accessibility, World-Readiness, and the Windows Store
Canadians can request their credit files
There are two primary credit collection and reporting agencies in Canada: Equifax Canada TransUnion Canada These agencies collect, store, process and report on the credit histories of millions of Canadian. Your credit file will determine credit eligibility, interest rates you pay and in extreme cases, security clearance for certain jobs. So it is a good idea to know what is in your credit file with each of these agencies and to ensure all the collected data is accurate.
Review of the Eagle Creek Pack-It Cube Medium
Over the last 15 years, I have had the privilege of conducting business in over 30 different countries. Many years ago, I consciously decided to be a one-bag traveler which means I travel with carry-on only (aka no check in luggage). This has many benefits including: no excess baggage fees no worries about lost, delayed or damaged baggage no waiting at the luggage claim conveyor belt Planning is essential To be a one-bag traveler (which I highly recommend), I had to take some time and decide what I pack and how I pack it.