Archive for December, 2006
Beware of Word documents from the Internet
Microsoft is warning about an unpatched security hole in Word that is being exploited on the Internet. Until a patch is issued, exercise caution about opening or downloading any DOC files from the Web. The problem is present in Word 2000, Word 2002, Word 2003, Microsoft Word Viewer 2003, Word 2004 for Mac, Word 2004 [...]
How to remove the text below an icon
Here’s an unusual trick that I’ll pass along for what it’s worth. I can’t remember where I learned it and I don’t use it but some PC users like to remove the text that appears beneath an icon and just have an unlabeled icon. There’s a way to do that that uses the Numeric Keypad [...]
How to install Flash player in Internet Explorer 7
Macromedia/Adobe Flash presentations are very common on the Internet. However, browsers need a player before they can display Flash. Internet Explorer uses an ActiveX component and Firefox another type. Installing the Flash player has always been a simple process in the past. In fact, it often comes pre-installed. I have had no difficulties with Firefox [...]
Search engines for the visually impaired
SearchEngineWatch has an interesting discussion of Google’s efforts to make its services accessible to the blind and to the visually impaired. Accessibility is complicated by the fact that there are different sets of needs. The article explains:
The main obstacle to creating accessible web sites is that needs vary widely—there is no single “fix” that will [...]
How to really remove Norton programs
I’ve railed a few times in these pages about the intrusiveness of Norton anti-virus and other Symantec programs. The fact that Norton is a great big drag on computer performance has been noted by many and is documented at this reference for Norton Internet Security 2006. Many installation problems and faulty product activations have also [...]
Collection of security tips
PC Magazine has put together a collection of 94 tips on keeping your computer safe. There’s nothing new here but if you would like a link with a number of tips in one place, you might take a look.
Putting Windows on a Mac
When Apple switched over to Intel chips, it was a major change in direction. Not least was the fact that Macs could now run Windows. Apple has provided the Bootcamp dual-boot method and Parallels has provided a virtual machine method. An article at Information Week reviews the two methods:
Parallels Desktop continues to improve, and [...]
Vista’s impact
Yesterday was the official kick-off for the release of Vista to actual use. In this case, it was the business versions with consumer versions to come out at the end of January. Maybe it’s because there has been so much hoopla for months unending or maybe it’s genuine lack of excitement at what Vista offers [...]