Triona's Tech Tips

My technology column in this weekend’s Northwest Herald talks about how you can use Web feeds to organize information from Web sites and blogs. Web feeds (also called RSS feeds) allow you to organize content, much as you do with your email. For example, if you wanted to subscribe to the Web feed for this blog, you’d click on the orange RSS icon in the upper right corner of this blog, which will prompt you to bookmark the feed in your Web browser. A Web feed address looks similar to this.

http://www.guidryconsulting.com/techtips/feed/

Many email programs such as Outlook and Mozilla Thunderbird also have Web feed capabilities, although personally I prefer news software like FeedDemon for Windows or NetNewsWire for Mac. Or, you can use Google Reader which is web-based and works on both Windows and Mac.

When you access your news software you’ll see which Web feeds have updated content, and when you click on a feed you’ll see the name, date and excerpt of recent articles, as if each one were an email message. You can mark articles as read or flag them to read later. Here’s what it looks like in FeedDemon.

Web feeds are most often used to advertise blog content. So if you run a blog, be sure to include a link to the feed so people can subscribe. Most common blog platforms like Blogger and WordPress automatically set up a feed when you create your blog.

People sometimes ask me what is the point of Web feeds, and why would anyone want to use them? Feeds make following Web sites and blogs as easy as checking your email. It’s also a great timesaver. Instead of visiting each site directly, you can consolidate them in one place and see at a glance the articles you want to read. Web feeds have become the option of choice for people who want to keep up with current events, which is why they’re offered by most magazines and newspapers.

In this month’s Northwest Herald technology column I explain why it’s important to have more than one backup of your computer data. It’s also critical to test restoring your data to make sure your backups are valid. To do this, follow your software’s procedures for recovering data, but redirect the data so it doesn’t overwrite the original.

Most software has an option called “destination” or “target,” where the recovered data is to be saved. If you select that option you can redirect the data to another location. You may want to create a special folder ahead of time for the restored data. Then you can compare it to the original. As I said in the article, don’t just check file names; try opening each kind of file you use (say, one Word file, one Excel file, and so on). If you don’t have a solid backup strategy, including off-site storage in case of a disaster, all your hard work could be lost.

Subscribe free to Tech Tips and receive bonus tips, tricks and product reviews. Click here to subscribe or send email to techtips-request-at-guidryconsulting-dot-com, subject “subscribe”.

My column in today’s Northwest Herald talks about the importance of regular maintenance for your computer, and how a qualified computer professional can help keep your systems up and running. But there are also some things you can do on your own to maintain your computer.

Don’t forget, if you subscribe to my Tech Tips email newsletter you’ll receive tips like these, plus tech support tricks and other ways you can get the most out of your PC or Mac computer. Click here to subscribe or send email to techtips-request-at-guidryconsulting-dot-com, subject “subscribe”.

• Turn your computer off. Some people like to leave their computers on all the time, and that’s fine. But computers benefit from a proper shutdown, so be sure you turn it off once a week so it can refresh itself at startup.
• Check your security software. Double-clicking on your software’s icon in the lower right-hand corner of your Windows screen will bring up a status window. As for Mac users, don’t forget that you need antivirus software too. I’m fond of Intego VirusBarrier.
• Run a cleaning utility. I like CCleaner for Windows and Snow Leopard Cache Cleaner for Mac (also works on Tiger and Leopard). These programs don’t do anything on their own but instead provide a convenient way to run the built-in utilities for Windows and Mac, which means they are very reliable and safe to use.

When in doubt, call a professional. It’s easier to fix small problems before they become too large, and it’s best to have a trained expert assist with your computer needs.

My column in today’s Northwest Herald is Plenty Of Risks, Rewards With Cloud Computing. I’ve discussed cloud computing before here on Tech Tips, and today I’d like to give you some tips on how you can mitigate potential risks. These rules apply equally well to data that resides on a local server in your office.

Don’t forget, if you subscribe to my Tech Tips email newsletter you’ll receive tips like these, plus tech support tricks and other ways you can get the most out of your PC or Mac computer. Click here to subscribe or send email to techtips-request-at-guidryconsulting-dot-com, subject “subscribe”.

• As with any Internet account, use strong, unique passwords for every member of your group, and make sure those passwords are not shared with anyone.
• Evaluate your cloud computing options and look for one that not only meets your needs, but has clearly defined security policies.
• Establish rules for your employees or project partners. Are there certain kinds of data that should not go in the cloud?
• Configure your cloud computing environment so that access to data is limited to only what is needed for each person. For example, an employee working on a particular project may not need access to every file.
• Be sure to disable cloud computing accounts if a person leaves or is no longer needed on the project.

If you’ve ever struggled with computer problems, you may wonder what you can do to solve them yourself. My article in this month’s The Writer Magazine offers some solutions, and here are a few more.

The number-one tech support adage is: Reboot! If that doesn’t work, you have other options. Online support can help you pinpoint problems. Microsoft’s knowledgebase is here, and Apple’s is here. My Tech Tips blog offers you many options for computer self-service. Just scroll down and click any keyword on the right side of the screen.

In general, keeping your computer’s software up-to-date and maintaining security protections is your best defense against computer problems. You might also be interested in my upcoming class on Do-It-Yourself Tech Support For PC And Mac. See my class schedule for details.

Look for my 2009 Holiday Gift Guide, coming in December. If you have any computer questions, let me know.

Through December 1st, 2009, new subscribers to the free email version of Tech Tips will receive a special tip sheet: Ten-Step Computer Troubleshooter. Just click here to sign up.

Take a look at the December 2009 issue of The Writer Magazine for my latest article, “When You Yearn To Smash Your Computer: Here Are 10 Common Technical Problems Writers Might Face-And Some Suggested Solutions.”

Although the article speaks specifically to writers, others can benefit from these time-saving tips for Windows and Mac. If you like the suggestions in the article, subscribe to the email version of Tech Tips and receive this month’s special gift: my Ten-Step Computer Troubleshooter, which gives you an outline for solving any computer problem. This offer is only available through December 1, 2009, so sign up today!

You can find The Writer at your local bookstore or online at WriterMag.com.

The computer zombie problem (see here and here) is only getting worse. According to a recent study by Trend Micro, computers often remain infected for up to two years, with median infections lasting 300 days. Many people don’t realize they are infected, and never get rid of the problem until they replace their computers.

What’s wrong with having a zombie computer? Viruses and other infections can slow down your computer, and cause freezes and other unpredictable behavior. There’s also the risk of data and identity theft. And if that doesn’t concern you, consider this: most virus infections, spam and other threats come from the zombie computers of innocent victims.

The good news is, there are easy ways you can keep your computer protected. Through November 1st, 2009, new subscribers to the free email version of Tech Tips will receive a special tip sheet on Four Easy Ways To Protect Your Computer. Just click here to sign up. And keep an eye on the Tech Tips blog, where you’ll find the latest computer news plus links to free resources that can help keep you secure.

I’d like to encourage you to spend fifteen minutes today checking and updating your computer’s protections. Your computer will work better, and you’ll be doing the world a public service by helping to eliminate Internet threats.

In November I’ll give you an in-depth look at the new version of Windows in The Lowdown On Windows 7. If you have any computer questions, let me know.

Finding a job can be difficult. Fortunately the Internet offers excellent tools to help you in your job search or career transition.

It’s important to think of the Internet as one of many tools in your job search arsenal. To that end, you’ll want to think of yourself as a brand, like Coca-Cola or CNN. What are your strengths? What are your skills? What sets you apart from other applicants? Write your mission statement on an index card (”I am a computer expert specializing in tech support, web design and training”) and tape it to the top of your monitor. This will help you stay focused as you visit various job sites.

Next, decide which technologies you want to incorporate into your search. Web 2.0 refers to collaborative web sites, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed if you try to be on LinkedIn, Twitter, MySpace, and FaceBook all at once. Some people choose to forgo a web site in favor of a blog, for example, or elect to participate in only one or two social networking sites.

Speaking of networking, it’s hard to succeed by computer alone. Meeting people face-to-face remains the best way to find employment. Create a business card for yourself with links to your online profiles. When you meet people, get their cards and send a follow-up email asking them to network with you online. And be sure to put your newly-honed Web 2.0 skills on your resume!

If you’re interested, I’ll be teaching a class on Web 2.0 For Job Search for the Cary (Illinois) Park District on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 from 9:30am-11:30am and again from 6pm-8pm. You can find registration details on my web site. I hope to see you there!

Don’t forget to subscribe to Tech Tips for the latest computer news. Next month, just in time for Hallowe’en, I’ll frighten you with Bride Of The Computer Zombies. If you have any computer questions, let me know.

Your computer, like your house, needs to be cleaned regularly. These tips will help you get better performance out of your PC or Mac.

The number-one rule of tech support is: When in doubt, reboot! Turning your computer off and back on will give better results than simply restarting. I also recommend you shut down your computer overnight, unless you need to leave it on for backups. This gives your computer a cool-down period and less opportunity to confuse itself.

Keeping your desktop clean will help maximize memory. The more files you store on the desktop, the more memory they will consume. Maintaining your computer’s security protections and junking spam are other ways you can reduce the possibility of computer problems.

SPECIAL GIFT: If you subscribe to the Tech Tips email list between now and October 14th, 2009, I’ll send you a free tip sheet (PDF) offering more details on how to keep your computer in shape.

And if you’re interested, I’ll be teaching a class on Computer Housekeeping for the Cary (Illinois) Park District on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 from 9:30am-11:30am. You can find registration details on my web site. I hope to see you there!

In October we’ll talk about What To Do If You Get A Computer Virus. If you have any computer questions, let me know.

The latest buzz in the IT world is all about “cloud computing” and “software as a service” (SaaS). These two related terms refer to doing all your computing via the Internet rather than software locally installed on your computer. But the idea of consumers relying solely on cloud computing makes me cringe. Why?

1. It’s not secure
   Microsoft’s upcoming incarnation of Office is an example. Office Web will offer versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint than run directly from the Web. But consumers don’t know or care where their applications come from as long as they work. So let’s say Jane Consumer wants to open financial data stored in an Excel file. She may not know she’s trusting her entire fortune to the cloud (e.g. the Internet). What about a consumer who is working from a home computer, opening confidential documents that ought to be kept within the confines of the corporate network? When you use the Internet, you never know who might be intercepting your information. I wouldn’t want my data trusted exclusively to the cloud. I wouldn’t even be satisfied with regular local backups. I want my data where I can see it, smell it, touch it, and above all control it.
2. Your environment can be changed at the whim of developers
   Many web mail users complain to me that they don’t like it when their provider changes the look and feel of their email service without notice. Imagine if your word processor and spreadsheet did the same thing. There is something to be said for locally installed software that you can manage as you prefer. Apparently consumers feel the same way, given how many people are still using Windows XP so they don’t have to deal with Vista’s changed interface. You could also consider the huge number of complaints Microsoft received when they removed the tried-and-true Office menus in favor of Office 2007’s (gack) ribbon toolbar.
3. What if your Internet connection goes down?
   Purveyors of SaaS promise ways to work offline. But how well will it work in reality? Do you really want to count on having a reliable Internet connection just to open a document? What about people in areas who have no access to steady high-speed Internet?
4. What if your SaaS provider pulls the plug?
   You could wake up one morning, turn on your computer and discover that the software you need to do your work is vanished, gone, kaput. You might even be at the mercy of vendors who change your license agreement, then demand a ransom to keep your software alive. We’ve already seen that happen with the way some antivirus software vendors gouge you for automatic payments. What if they offer a full-fledged product, then strip the features and start charging extra for them? Or what if your vendor goes under? With locally installed software, at least you still have the software. With SaaS, you might lose the software and your data, too. Worse, what if they decide they now own all your data and can do with it whatever they like?
5. Advertising and fakes
   How would you like it if you were working on a document and an advertisement interrupted you? Or what if you received a phony popup pretending that your document is corrupt and you suddenly need to buy some nifty (fake) software that will solve the purported problem? This already happens with fake antivirus software. I don’t need it in my word processor.
6. The potential for censorship
   Look at China’s attempts to firewall their entire country and crack down on social networking sites. Relying exclusively on cloud computing could, in theory, give a government the ability to silence what it doesn’t like. This is the same reason I believe in net neutrality: freedom of expression.

Of course, there may be some advantages to consumer cloud computing.

1. Ease of use
   Imagine not waiting for your computer to start up or load an application. This would appeal to many consumers. With cloud computing you could access your software as easily as opening a browser window.
2. Your environment can be changed at the whim of developers
   Yes, I said that above, but it can be a good thing too. You could get new features without having to install new software. It might even be cheaper since you wouldn’t have to pay for the CD or DVD. Perhaps you could buy features for short-term use, as you need them. I’ll bet people who make casual use of super-expensive software like Adobe Photoshop would enjoy that ability.
3. Less expensive hardware
   Google’s Chrome OS will run at first on netbooks, inexpensive PCs that require only minimal hardware to operate. With cloud computing the vendor takes on the burden of processing power; all you need is a Web browser. Again, this might be highly appealing to consumers and could help bring computing power to those who currently cannot afford it.
4. Convenience
   Many consumers enjoy being able to work on their documents anywhere, anytime, without the need to log into a home machine or fiddle with a USB drive. That’s why Google Docs is popular. People are often willing to trade privacy for convenience.

In my opinion, cloud computing is too new and untested to be forced down consumers’ throats just because it’s the latest IT craze. But, as an option rather than a requirement, it may provide some advantages. For more, check out this op-ed from the WSJ. Be sure to read the comments, they’re interesting!