http://www.helpwithasmile.com/blog Tech news and computer tips for the rest of us. Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:02:25 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Sometimes I wonder why people look at me with such surprise when I tell them to ditch the Norton Internet Security software they shelled out 60 bucks for just a month ago, in favor of a free antivirus program like Avast (our personal favorite) or AVG.  After all, common sense ... http://www.helpwithasmile.com/blog/2008/07/26/the-norton-scam-aka-principles-of-marketing-101/ A neat website that was brought to our attention, that I thought might be useful to some of our clients- You've finally bought the new monitor, better printer, or SLR camera, and you're ready to test it out. Only one problem Your new toy didn't ship with a cable, and you're ... http://www.helpwithasmile.com/blog/2008/07/16/what-does-that-look-like-the-computer-cable-guide/ As some of you may know, the war between HD-DVD and Blu-ray officially came to a dramatic conclusion on February 19, 2008 when Toshiba, the world's largest manufacturer of HD-DVD players at the time, called it quits. This came after several studios that once either backed both Blu-ray and HD-DVD ... http://www.helpwithasmile.com/blog/2008/07/08/post-war-comments/ Since 9/11, the happy median between security has continued to blur and alter standards of privacy and personal space especially when it comes to air travel. But when does too much become enough? Consumer advocacy groups have taken charge to stop airport security from inordinate checks on laptops; opening them ... http://www.helpwithasmile.com/blog/2008/06/26/security-vs-privacy/ Where do I sign up? Can you go a day at the office without e-mail? Employees at U.S. Cellular try to do that every Friday. A policy implemented a few years ago gives workers a respite from the e-mail avalanche. An E-Mail Vacation: Taking Fridays Off : NPR http://www.helpwithasmile.com/blog/2008/06/20/a-day-without-email/ Two teenagers who posted a malicious "fire in the hole" prank on YouTube were slapped with a court order to post an apology on the same video-sharing site, according to a report in Florida Today. Youths ordered to apologize on YouTube | Tech news blog - CNET News.com http://www.helpwithasmile.com/blog/2008/06/11/youths-ordered-to-apologize-on-youtube/ After having a year to improve and tweak what many regarded as one of, if not the gadget for the 2007 calendar year, Apple's CEO, Steve Jobs, is expected to make an announcement at Apple's developers' conference today. Analysts are expecting new features that will cater to the corporate and ... http://www.helpwithasmile.com/blog/2008/06/09/the-second-coming-of-the-iphone/ Many news magazines have stated some astronomical figures with regard to the number of PCs that are/have been infected with malware. However, ZD-Net's Ed Bott serious questions the accuracy of these "findings", as well as the motivation of those news magazines. What do you think? Debunking yet another bogus malware study http://www.helpwithasmile.com/blog/2008/06/05/scare-tactics/ For those who wish to cling to XP until the bitter end- there's a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.  Although, to the many Vista abstainers, I say, get used to it!  I am not a huge fan of Vista, but we're facing the realities of ... http://www.helpwithasmile.com/blog/2008/06/03/last-breath-for-windows-xp/ Asus is implementing a tempting new feature into some of its upcoming laptops. It's a feature that neither MACs nor Windows PCs currently boast. What is this feature and would this feature give you the impetus to try the Linux OS? Asus to launch laptops with instant-on feature || Crave CNet http://www.helpwithasmile.com/blog/2008/05/29/instant-awein/