Friday, March 7, 2008
Reclaimer's Rant (or Kill All Spyware!)
I positively despise Spyware, Trojans, Adware, Malware, Grayware, Viruses, and all forms of computer parasites. Their very existence is an affront to the average/intermediate or novice computer user. They steal your personal information, degrade and even cripple vital components and software. They cost you money in terms of time... time spent struggling against them, time finding them, and time trying to destroy or delete them.
I foresee a day when their existence becomes so problematic, that some heavy hitter like Microsoft will have to step in to aid in their suppression. Can you imagine the FCC's reaction to a broadcasting version of a Browser Hijacker that suddenly changed the channel to an infomercial in the middle of a movie you were watching? With the proliferation of high-speed cable ISP connections among computer users (connections that remain active 24/7), the bugs are finding clever new ways to ride in and infest our computers. Lately I've even become paranoid of MSN and Yahoo IM's.
Which brings me to the current object of my wrath:
Win Anti Virus Pro 2006
and
Drive Cleaner 2006
These miserable, bottom feeders somehow installed a trojan in my system (I think it rode in under the guise of an Apple Quicktime Update). My fiancee was the first to use the system at 7:40 in the morning. The computer was running so badly she rebooted it. Bad move. The trojan then imbedded itself and proceeded to announce (at very frequent intervals) that my computer was infected with a Trojan SPM/LX. Well, I guess they would know, SINCE THEY PUT IT THERE! To me this is like a security company hiring thugs to break into your home and steal your electronics, in order for them to demonstrate your need for their services... or the Fire Dept setting your house on fire, to encourage you to buy tickets to the Fireman"s Ball.
I do not recommend that you patronize Win Anti Virus Pro 2006. I can't imagine what uses your computer would be put to after installing their software.
A definite 'Reclaimer 2 Thumbs Down' for these guys.
Bear in mind, I am very well equipped with firewalls, antivirus, etc, etc. Currently I am working with Webroot Spy Sweeper Tech Support to clean my system, and it looks like the coast is clear. grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
If you are an intermediate or novice computer user, and you think your system is running poorly, or something is wrong, come to my webpage:
http://www.homeworkersunite.com/reclaimer.html
I have links to a ton of free spyware 'scan and clean' resources, free PC tune up and free registry repair resources. Everything has been used and tested by me. No tricks, no catches. Just honest help from some of the Internet's Good Guys.
Be careful out there
Reclaimer
Reclaimer is a former Protective Service Agent and Executive Bodyguard that has turned his attention to the field of Computer and Internet Security. It has come to his attention in his studies, that users who barely know how to turn on their computers, or even intermediate users are ill-equipped to deal with the jungle of spyware and adware out there. The geeks already know.
I foresee a day when their existence becomes so problematic, that some heavy hitter like Microsoft will have to step in to aid in their suppression. Can you imagine the FCC's reaction to a broadcasting version of a Browser Hijacker that suddenly changed the channel to an infomercial in the middle of a movie you were watching? With the proliferation of high-speed cable ISP connections among computer users (connections that remain active 24/7), the bugs are finding clever new ways to ride in and infest our computers. Lately I've even become paranoid of MSN and Yahoo IM's.
Which brings me to the current object of my wrath:
Win Anti Virus Pro 2006
and
Drive Cleaner 2006
These miserable, bottom feeders somehow installed a trojan in my system (I think it rode in under the guise of an Apple Quicktime Update). My fiancee was the first to use the system at 7:40 in the morning. The computer was running so badly she rebooted it. Bad move. The trojan then imbedded itself and proceeded to announce (at very frequent intervals) that my computer was infected with a Trojan SPM/LX. Well, I guess they would know, SINCE THEY PUT IT THERE! To me this is like a security company hiring thugs to break into your home and steal your electronics, in order for them to demonstrate your need for their services... or the Fire Dept setting your house on fire, to encourage you to buy tickets to the Fireman"s Ball.
I do not recommend that you patronize Win Anti Virus Pro 2006. I can't imagine what uses your computer would be put to after installing their software.
A definite 'Reclaimer 2 Thumbs Down' for these guys.
Bear in mind, I am very well equipped with firewalls, antivirus, etc, etc. Currently I am working with Webroot Spy Sweeper Tech Support to clean my system, and it looks like the coast is clear. grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
If you are an intermediate or novice computer user, and you think your system is running poorly, or something is wrong, come to my webpage:
http://www.homeworkersunite.com/reclaimer.html
I have links to a ton of free spyware 'scan and clean' resources, free PC tune up and free registry repair resources. Everything has been used and tested by me. No tricks, no catches. Just honest help from some of the Internet's Good Guys.
Be careful out there
Reclaimer
Reclaimer is a former Protective Service Agent and Executive Bodyguard that has turned his attention to the field of Computer and Internet Security. It has come to his attention in his studies, that users who barely know how to turn on their computers, or even intermediate users are ill-equipped to deal with the jungle of spyware and adware out there. The geeks already know.
Computer Scrapbooks
When digital cameras were first released on the market, everyone was excited. Finally, here was an easy way to take and store photos. No more would our closets be plagued with boxes and envelopes housing a hodgepodge of unorganized photographs. What we didn't realize was that soon, our computers would be filled with a hodgepodge of unorganized photographs.
The explosion of home computers and the Internet has led to an increased need for people to organize computer scrapbooks. It's easy to accumulate literally thousands of digital pictures, and it's just as easy to get them all mixed up. Try finding a favorite photo as you're scanning through a list of numbers and letters. Creating computer scrapbooks makes it quick and easy to locate the photographs, as soon as you want to see them.
When preparing your computer scrapbooks, the first step should always be renaming your photos. You should use file names that are easy to understand and organize, rather than keeping the default names set by your digital photography software. Anyone who has used a digital camera or camera phone knows just how hard it can be to decipher the file names, let alone selecting the photographs. Proper titles listed in computer scrapbooks make it easy to remember which pictures you have.
One key point to remember is that all of your computer scrapbook files will be sorted in alphabetical order. This can get confusing, particularly if you're naming pictures by date. Rather than call your photos 'January10', 'April21' etc, use the numerical format year, month and then day. Those same files will now be called 20050110Baby and 20050421Baby. In doing so, your computer will display them in the correct date order for you.
After your photo files have been renamed, you need to create folders to store the different types of photo files. Try organizing your computer scrapbooks by subject, theme or occasion. This will allow you to find your photos much easier later on. For example, create a folder called 'Baby Pictures' and save all of your baby photographs in that folder. By setting up and following a naming system, you'll soon have the most well organized computer scrapbooks around.
Whether or not you print your digital photos, always create backups of all your computer scrapbook files. There are many archiving programs that can be used to compress large files, enabling them to be stored on a CD or other removable disk. It is essential that you label your CDs to keep your computer scrapbook backups as organized as the originals. You can write the title on the CD itself, but you should also remember to alter the name of the CD as read by the computer. Most CD writing software automatically prompts you to give the CD a title, but check the instructions before you start the burning process so you, and your computer, will be able to clearly identify the CDs.
Digital cameras make it easy to take and save pictures. Computer scrapbooks make it easy to find the pictures anytime you're ready to take a trip down memory lane or share the digital images with your friends.
Barbara Miller writes for several popular web sites, including http://gemug.com and http://gymif.com.
The explosion of home computers and the Internet has led to an increased need for people to organize computer scrapbooks. It's easy to accumulate literally thousands of digital pictures, and it's just as easy to get them all mixed up. Try finding a favorite photo as you're scanning through a list of numbers and letters. Creating computer scrapbooks makes it quick and easy to locate the photographs, as soon as you want to see them.
When preparing your computer scrapbooks, the first step should always be renaming your photos. You should use file names that are easy to understand and organize, rather than keeping the default names set by your digital photography software. Anyone who has used a digital camera or camera phone knows just how hard it can be to decipher the file names, let alone selecting the photographs. Proper titles listed in computer scrapbooks make it easy to remember which pictures you have.
One key point to remember is that all of your computer scrapbook files will be sorted in alphabetical order. This can get confusing, particularly if you're naming pictures by date. Rather than call your photos 'January10', 'April21' etc, use the numerical format year, month and then day. Those same files will now be called 20050110Baby and 20050421Baby. In doing so, your computer will display them in the correct date order for you.
After your photo files have been renamed, you need to create folders to store the different types of photo files. Try organizing your computer scrapbooks by subject, theme or occasion. This will allow you to find your photos much easier later on. For example, create a folder called 'Baby Pictures' and save all of your baby photographs in that folder. By setting up and following a naming system, you'll soon have the most well organized computer scrapbooks around.
Whether or not you print your digital photos, always create backups of all your computer scrapbook files. There are many archiving programs that can be used to compress large files, enabling them to be stored on a CD or other removable disk. It is essential that you label your CDs to keep your computer scrapbook backups as organized as the originals. You can write the title on the CD itself, but you should also remember to alter the name of the CD as read by the computer. Most CD writing software automatically prompts you to give the CD a title, but check the instructions before you start the burning process so you, and your computer, will be able to clearly identify the CDs.
Digital cameras make it easy to take and save pictures. Computer scrapbooks make it easy to find the pictures anytime you're ready to take a trip down memory lane or share the digital images with your friends.
Barbara Miller writes for several popular web sites, including http://gemug.com and http://gymif.com.
Don't Toss Those Floppies!
I am ashamed to admit it, but I have only recently joined the 21st century where computer technology is concerned. Despite the world zooming ever-faster toward technology that continues to shrink while growing more powerful, I held on to my practically outdated form of data storage. While more modern personal computers outfitted with CD-RW and DVD+RW hard drives were flowing off the personal computer assembly line, I clung to my PC that boasted a Windows ME operating system, a CD hard drive, and(drumroll)a floppy disk drive.
It's true--I have just made the leap toward owning a more modern PC within the last two years. But, my leap only occurred because a thunderstorm ended up frying the modem of my old PC. Sure, I could have had the internal modem replaced, or gotten an external modem, but I decided against both of those choices. So, my antiquated but beloved PC was finally pried from my hands, and I entered a new phase of data storage, kicking and screaming along the way.
But the possession of a more modern PC, one with a CD-Writer/DVD-ROM combo hard drive, expansion bay, and other slots for certain types of storage disks that I will probably never use, left me perplexed, at first, and in a dire state, as I wondered how I would ever be able to access the data stored on my floppy disks.
I remained worried until a simple solution hit me over the head, at last.
Before I share that solution, though, here are some uses that I considered for my antiquated but beloved floppy disks:
1. pairs of one of a kind earrings
2. coasters
3. ashtrays
4. paper weights
5. Frisbees
6. wall decorations
7. tea cup saucers
8. rulers
9. puzzle pieces
10. gemstones of one of a kind necklaces
Now, as promised, here is that simple solution: an external floppy disk drive.
I can see you rolling your eyes and asking is that it?! Well, yes, that's it. Since my new personal computer did not sport a floppy disk drive, I fretted about what I would do with my floppies and how I would access the data stored on the floppies until I discovered external floppy disk drives through research. After conducting a little more research, I decided to purchase an external floppy disk drive from an online store whose site made me feel safe in using my credit card. Three days after making my purchase, I received my external floppy drive.
If you find yourself in my former position, then try to conduct a bit of your own research to find the external floppy disk drive that suits your data storage needs and purchase that drive. Like me, you won't have to toss your floppies, after all.
I have come to embrace more modern technology, storing data on rewriteable compact discs and flash drives, but I also still find comfort in seeing an external floppy disk drive plugged into its USB 2.0 port on my new personal computer.
C. M. Clifton is a published fiction author as well as an author at http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Creative Writing.
It's true--I have just made the leap toward owning a more modern PC within the last two years. But, my leap only occurred because a thunderstorm ended up frying the modem of my old PC. Sure, I could have had the internal modem replaced, or gotten an external modem, but I decided against both of those choices. So, my antiquated but beloved PC was finally pried from my hands, and I entered a new phase of data storage, kicking and screaming along the way.
But the possession of a more modern PC, one with a CD-Writer/DVD-ROM combo hard drive, expansion bay, and other slots for certain types of storage disks that I will probably never use, left me perplexed, at first, and in a dire state, as I wondered how I would ever be able to access the data stored on my floppy disks.
I remained worried until a simple solution hit me over the head, at last.
Before I share that solution, though, here are some uses that I considered for my antiquated but beloved floppy disks:
1. pairs of one of a kind earrings
2. coasters
3. ashtrays
4. paper weights
5. Frisbees
6. wall decorations
7. tea cup saucers
8. rulers
9. puzzle pieces
10. gemstones of one of a kind necklaces
Now, as promised, here is that simple solution: an external floppy disk drive.
I can see you rolling your eyes and asking is that it?! Well, yes, that's it. Since my new personal computer did not sport a floppy disk drive, I fretted about what I would do with my floppies and how I would access the data stored on the floppies until I discovered external floppy disk drives through research. After conducting a little more research, I decided to purchase an external floppy disk drive from an online store whose site made me feel safe in using my credit card. Three days after making my purchase, I received my external floppy drive.
If you find yourself in my former position, then try to conduct a bit of your own research to find the external floppy disk drive that suits your data storage needs and purchase that drive. Like me, you won't have to toss your floppies, after all.
I have come to embrace more modern technology, storing data on rewriteable compact discs and flash drives, but I also still find comfort in seeing an external floppy disk drive plugged into its USB 2.0 port on my new personal computer.
C. M. Clifton is a published fiction author as well as an author at http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Creative Writing.
Learning More About Notebook Computers
A notebook computer is a portable personal computer that can be carried along and used almost anywhere, much like a notebook. The notebook computer typically weighs about 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds) and is small enough to fit into a briefcase. The notebook computer usually has all the functionality of a desktop, but is less powerful, more expensive, and greater portability.
The first notebook computer available commercially was introduced to the public in 1981 and was named the Osborne 1. This notebook computer was understandably bulkier than the ones we get to see these days. Nevertheless, this revolutionary notebook computer -- which did not run on battery power and had to be plugged in for AC power -- took the business world by storm because of its portability, a feature that is notably absent in the heftier desktops.
Then came the Compaq Portable first made public in 1983 and also ran on AC power rather than batteries. This first-ever IBM-compatible notebook computer proved to better than the IBM's own Portable Computer that was introduced a year later.
The GRiD Compass 1101, released in 1982, was a notebook computer in the true sense of the term. The brainchild of William Moggridge, this notebook computer had the typical clamshell design -- where the screen folds and shuts against the keyboard -- that is now practically the industry standard. This notebook computer was not IBM-compatible, ran on batteries and had a prohibitively high price tag. As one may guess, it was used by the specific few -- mainly the military and astronauts.
The Sharp PC-5000 and the Gavilan notebook computer, appearing in 1984, are also worthy of special mention. As a matter of fact, the Gavilan was the first notebook computer that was promoted as a laptop and had a cursor control device resembling a touch pad. Both had LCD screens and clamshell cases.
The notebook computer called Kyocera Kyotronic, first introduced in 1983, powered by AA batteries, was a huge commercial success largely because of its portability, battery life and low price.
The first true IBM-compatible notebook computer was the IBM PC Convertible, introduced in 1986 -- followed by Toshiba T1000 and T1200 in the following year. In 1989, Apple introduced the Macintosh Portable notebook computer.
From 1991 on, innovations initiated by the PowerBook series of Apple became standard features in the modern notebook computer. These include built-in features like touch pad, palm rest, Ethernet networking, trackball, and 256-color displays. Then followed the Thinkpad series of IBM, which was a very popular notebook computer.
Now almost an essential gadget in the business world, the notebook computer is here to stay.
Susan Miller writes for several web sites, including http://club-product.com and http://reviewssource.com.
The first notebook computer available commercially was introduced to the public in 1981 and was named the Osborne 1. This notebook computer was understandably bulkier than the ones we get to see these days. Nevertheless, this revolutionary notebook computer -- which did not run on battery power and had to be plugged in for AC power -- took the business world by storm because of its portability, a feature that is notably absent in the heftier desktops.
Then came the Compaq Portable first made public in 1983 and also ran on AC power rather than batteries. This first-ever IBM-compatible notebook computer proved to better than the IBM's own Portable Computer that was introduced a year later.
The GRiD Compass 1101, released in 1982, was a notebook computer in the true sense of the term. The brainchild of William Moggridge, this notebook computer had the typical clamshell design -- where the screen folds and shuts against the keyboard -- that is now practically the industry standard. This notebook computer was not IBM-compatible, ran on batteries and had a prohibitively high price tag. As one may guess, it was used by the specific few -- mainly the military and astronauts.
The Sharp PC-5000 and the Gavilan notebook computer, appearing in 1984, are also worthy of special mention. As a matter of fact, the Gavilan was the first notebook computer that was promoted as a laptop and had a cursor control device resembling a touch pad. Both had LCD screens and clamshell cases.
The notebook computer called Kyocera Kyotronic, first introduced in 1983, powered by AA batteries, was a huge commercial success largely because of its portability, battery life and low price.
The first true IBM-compatible notebook computer was the IBM PC Convertible, introduced in 1986 -- followed by Toshiba T1000 and T1200 in the following year. In 1989, Apple introduced the Macintosh Portable notebook computer.
From 1991 on, innovations initiated by the PowerBook series of Apple became standard features in the modern notebook computer. These include built-in features like touch pad, palm rest, Ethernet networking, trackball, and 256-color displays. Then followed the Thinkpad series of IBM, which was a very popular notebook computer.
Now almost an essential gadget in the business world, the notebook computer is here to stay.
Susan Miller writes for several web sites, including http://club-product.com and http://reviewssource.com.
