Users running Intuit Inc.'s Apple Macintosh version of QuickBooks Pro 2006 and 2007 today were warned that an automatic software update flaw can eradicate stored files, documents or folders from a desktop and hard drive.

Intuit fixes QuickBooks flaw that vaporizes data from Mac desktop

After retailer allegedly discovers contraband on man's computer, he asks judges to say results of search cannot be used as evidence against him

This is quite a sensitive and important topic in the privacy arena. Tell us what you think and leave a response below.

Police Blotter: Can Circuit City techs legally peruse your files? | CNET News.com

Apple has dropped the price of its iTunes Plus songs that have no digital rights management (DRM) software protection and allow owners to move song files freely from one device to another.

Apple drops price of DRM-free iTunes | Tech news blog - CNET News.com

Check it out! Techdirt presents a brief article about three new competing Office suites, two of which (Google Docs and IBM Lotus Symphony) are free! If you are frustrated with Microsoft, give these newcomers a chance. Do a little reading first, however, these packages may not have everything you need or something you don't want. It's always worth a look.

Techdirt: Microsoft's Tough Night: Google And IBM Both Launch Free Office Products

So you have a fast computer, but it is still slow? You see a ton of icons near your clock yet you didn't put them there! You may have a great deal of programs starting up when you load Windows. How do you control them? With a handy free program called Startup Control Panel (CPL). This program is not for novices as you are removing/disabling programs in your startup folder. Great examples of programs to remove: quicktime, messenger, adobe quick start etc. If you are unsure if you need the program to load at start up, try to disable it first. Remember, you are not removing the program completely, but stopping it from starting up when your PC starts. You could see a dramatic improvement in start-up time and general performance!

Startup Control Panel

You know who you are, "hunters and peckers".  It's time for a typing lesson, but luckily there's some great free software to help you along the way…

SourceForge.net: TypeFaster Typing Tutor

Mac owners listen up: ever try and clean your keyboard while your computer is on?  You might've been greeted with a ton of errant keystrokes, etc., but now there is a clever little program that does nothing except lock your keyboard so that you can clean it.  So simple, yet so brilliant.
Keyboard Cleaner

PDF's are standard these days for sending out documents, but Adobe's Acrobat Software which creates PDF files is outrageously expensive! Have a look at these free alternatives, which work quite well, and can save you a chunk of money…

Making PDFs with free software | Free Software Magazine

Huge antivirus programs such as Norton and McAfee can bring a computer, and its owner to its knees. Here's why you should consider getting rid of them and switching to a more lightweight, free antivirus program (that's right, free). (more…)

With the release of Windows Vista, Microsoft will also be releasing the 2007 version of Microsoft Office.  In the past, upgrades to Office have not affected people who still use the older versions of Office.  This time, however, Microsoft is changing the file formats around, and you won't be able to open Office 2007 documents properly in older versions of Office.

Luckily, Microsoft is making a free utility available that will make your existing version of MS Office capable of opening the new Office 2007 files.  You should absolutely install this if you are an MS Office user and people are frequently sending you Word, Excel, or Powerpoint documents.

Download the Microsoft Office 2007 Compatibility Pack