Computer user tips
 

 www.baldock.ca/computer
 2006/04/30

 

This page is primarily a resource for getting more control over your PC's security and health. It also has a few tips for getting more out of your computer use. This is not the site of an authority, nor is it an encyclopedia. It is merely wisdom and experience compiled and freely shared by a computer hobbyist. This page is a work-in-progress that evolves as ideas come up. To combat information overload from reading this page entirely online, consider reading it as a printed copy on your first time through. I haven't found the time to render this page more web friendly, so your focused attention is a trade-off for this free do-it-yourself resource. Contact Gord for further info/help and to share your ideas (613 820-5585 or ). There is no tip jar, but thank you email is very supportive.

The contents overview

Stay connected
Most maintenance/preventative tasks benefit from an always on cable/DSL internet connection to do their job well. Always on is the key, the connection speed is not critical. Do leave the computer on enough when you are not in front of it, so that it can do the required updates and tasks.

It has become difficult to maintain a healthy computer using dial-up only. Few people have the the extraordinary time and discipline required to keep up with all the necessary tasks using dial-up. If you have more than one computer, dial-up is practically hopeless. It's just a question of time, before you'll blink or stumble before the relentless onslaught of risks.

Based on my experience with Ontario and Alberta ISP providers, cable offers significantly better product features, services and value than DSL. Wiring cost/convenience needn't compromise the choice, as an inexpensive wireless router will get the connection where you want it. TigerDirect or NCIX usually have excellent selection and prices for wireless routers and USB adapters.

To preserve your cyber identity, get your own domain name, so won't have to change your email address whenever you switch ISPs. Your mail is easily redirected through your current ISP.

For occasional travel in Canada, I use WebMinutes.ca. It has the best dial-up coverage I could find without a monthly fee. It costs me between $10 and $20 Cdn a year to buy the time I use. For travel in the US shop around elsewhere, such as Juno. Travelers need a software firewall to dial-up or wifi safely.
 

Update/Fix Windows
Keep your Windows operating system bug free and up-to-date to inhibit new viruses or worms getting into your computer.

  • Turn on automatic checking and notification of Windows' critical updates.
  • Don't ignore that notification icon in the lower right system tray. Be sure that updates are installed, and do a weekly manual Windows update check as well (It's somewhere in the start menus). The manual check verifies that you have done the critical updates and adds other less critical items not otherwise shown in auto modes. Be sure to run the non-express scans to ensure complete coverage.
  • If you are using Windows XP and have not installed Service Pack 2 (SP2), you must do so immediately. If you are on dial-up, you can order the huge SP2 update on a CD from Microsoft here at no cost.
  • Win95 is too obsolete to maintain/secure. The minimum OS to use is Win98SE. Win 9* should only be used if the hardware cannot run a newer OS. Microsoft no longer supports updates for Win 9* and will soon discontinue them for Win2000. Therefore WinXP Home or Pro are the only mainstream OS's well supported  by Microsoft and other software providers. Vista, the successor to XP, is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2007.
  • Learn about and fix the Messenger service vulnerability at Shoot the Messenger.
  • Learn about and fix the Universal Plug 'n Play vulnerability at UnPlug n' Pray.

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Update your software

  • Any anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, etc needs routine updating.
  • A couple of times a year update  Adobe Reader, Quicktime, Java, and Flash Player.
  • If you replace Windows Update with Microsoft Update Microsoft Office 2003 applications are updated along with Windows. Highly recommended, if you have Office 2003.
  • Any office software has security issues that need patches. Check no less than monthly.
    • If you have Microsoft Office use the link to Office near the top of the Windows Update web page. Office has many security updates, not covered by Windows updates.
    • If you have WordPerfect Office, get updates at Corel's patch page.

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Use Firewalls
A firewall stops others from seeing or connecting to your computer over your internet connection.

  • Hardware (desirable)
    If you are on broadband (cable/DSL) a hardware firewall in the form of a cable/DSL router keeps outsiders from entry. It also works, even if your software firewall isn't loaded. Watch and wait for sale prices in local newspaper ads/flyers or in a free local monthly magazine such as Monitor. Depending on wired/wireless and the speed, you should be able to spend no more than $30-50. TigerDirect or NCIX usually have excellent selection and prices for wireless routers and USB adapters. Sometimes you can buy wireless less than wired. Turn off its radio if you don't need it. Change the default password and turn off remote administration.
  • Software (mandatory)
    A software firewall controls traffic from both outside and inside. It stops any programs installed on your computer (whether by you or by malware) from connecting to the Internet unless you give it permission. If you ever use other wired/wireless networks, use dial-up or are connected to a phone/fax modem, then a software firewall is mandatory, even if you otherwise use a hardware firewall. Ensure the software firewall icon in the system tray is visible and normal, at all times. Go into the programs configuration once in a while to check if permissions make sense. Removal of suspect rules seldom does harm, as you will be asked the next time that application is run. Windows XP's built-in firewall only stops incoming connections. Better than nothing, but for nothing you can instead download a reputable and free bi-directional firewall from ZoneLabs or Comodo . Never have more than one software firewall installed and running at the same time. Paid alternatives give you more features and control. I use either Norton Personal Firewall or ZoneAlarm Pro.

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Install and maintain anti-Virus software
This stops viruses getting onto your computer, and also stops you accidentally sending viruses to other people or getting them on spammers lists.

  • Keep your paid subscription current or you can download free anti-virus software from free.GriSoft.com (AVG) or Avast. Among the free programs, AVG is top rated, but Avast may be preferred if you use instant messaging or P2P clients. AVG scans don't integrate with messaging or P2P clients.
  • A least once a year or so, you are informed that the free product version you are using is discontinued or will no longer be supported, while in the same breath only mentioning/linking to their pay products. In spite of appearances, the sky seldom falls and you can avoid the up sell. Whether paid or free, the anti-virus engine needs occasional updates to work with the upcoming virus definition files. Use my above links to locate the free version update you need to continue your free protection.
  • Make certain that your anti-virus program works automatically with your email client and that it is configured explicitly to do so. For instance the free version of AntiVir doesn't scan pop3 emails.
  • Once installed, keep the software up-to-date and download the latest virus definitions or it quickly becomes useless. Do create the rescue boot disks. Configure for frequent automatic updates of data files. Run manual updates at least monthly to catch software updates.
  • Never run more than one anti-virus program. You must uninstall others before replacing.
  • I use Norton Anti-virus. It is usually well reviewed for effectiveness on all fronts. If you are a Rogers hi-speed customer all of the Norton Internet Security products are free. Otherwise, if you are a Intuit customer you essentially get it free after rebates each year when you purchase Intuit's QuickTax. Various ratings of free or paid products are at I Security Labs, Virus Bulletin, PC Mag., PC World and other links in the anti-Spyware and resources sections below. Choose programs that (a) use behaviour heuristics as well as definitions of the known viruses and (b) are specified to scan all your instant messaging and email clients.
  • Free online scans usually don't fix what they find. (TrendMicro, PandaSoftware, Symantec , BitDefender, McAfee). Google for a free fix once you know what the problem is.
  • The majority of viruses are transmitted via email as attachments. So, never open any email attachments unless you know the person and know that they are sending you the file. Remember that you will receive viruses from people you know because the virus will use your address book. So just because an email comes from someone you know does not mean that it is virus free.
  • A valid first line of anti-virus defense is to use an ISP or hosting service that has spam and virus filtering for your email. Read and filter/trash emails on their web mail portal. Be sure to turn off automatic mail checking in your computer's email client. Initiate mail checks manually just after you've winnowed the emails on the web mail portal. Thusly, only the keepers are downloaded onto your computer.
  • Keep reading. You need to act on other risks not handled by anti-virus programs.

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Install and maintain anti-Spyware & anti-Adware
Anti-spyware and anti-adware are complimentary to anti-virus. All are essential measures that typically, are implemented separately. None are redundant!

When surfing the Internet, or installing some software, your computer may get infected with spyware, ad-ware or browser hijackers. Spyware is not a virus, but instead it reports on your surfing habits. This helps marketing companies target you with their junk email (spam). Ad-ware is similar, but bombards you with targeted ads and pop-ups. Hijackers change your home page or re-direct your searches to their search bar or sites. If left unchecked your computer starts up slower, runs much slower, your internet browsing becomes dis-functional and your monitor's screen real estate is eaten up.

  • You can remove and prevent most spyware by installing Ad-Aware, SpyBot, SpywareBlaster (auto updating costs $10US/yr), SpywareGuard and Microsoft Anti-Spyware (all have free versions). Yep, each has it merits and finds unique pests. Microsoft Anti-Spyware only works on Win XP/2000 or later OS's, Win 98SE or ME users should get one of the following paid alternatives.
  • Pay alternative top picks:
    • Lately, Sunbelt Software's CounterSpy is getting the top ratings in the geek press. Although it is based on the former Giant product that Microsoft bought and released as their own Anti-Spyware, it has better development, support and results. Works on Win98SE or higher OS.
    • Webroot's Spy Sweeper is another top rated product that deserves a solid recommendation. I use it in my computer alongside the free ones and it appears to be very effective.  Works on Win98SE or higher OS. You can download a trial version here. It is least expensive if bought directly from Webroot ($40US for 2 years) otherwise Costco at $32cdn.
    • There are other pests besides viruses, ad wares, spy wares. This is where PestPatrol excels. It is the most comprehensive malware preventative and fixer that I use. They offer a free online scanner. Purchase is recommended, if your computer has evidence that the freeware options are not enough. The best regular price I've seen is at Costco ($32cdn) or TigerDirect.ca ($41Cdn or less), but it is sometimes on sale at PestPatrol. Regardless, it's about $20US/yr to renew.
  • HiJackThis compliments the above tools very well. It will up the results from low 90's to 100% and it's free. Also see other tools in the Repair and diagnosis section.
  • Free utilities for controlling what your computer does at start up are StartUpMonitor and WinPatrol.
  • Make sure you keep your removal software and definitions current so that they can stop new ones. Run each regularily, as they all differ. Work through setting and options carefully. Use SpyBot in its advanced mode. SpyBot, Microsoft Anti-Spyware, etc. have memory resident immunization functionality. To avoid conflicts or redundant warnings, it pick one program to do immunization and turn off that feature in other programs.
  • If you think you have spyware already, try Trend Micro's online spyware removal tool and their CoolWebSearch removal tool CWShredder.
  • Avoid IncrediMail. It has no substantive benefits to offset the problems it raises. Its install and subsequent updates are loaded with adware, pop-ups, and spyware that have a life of their own, such that you wouldn't know that they snuck in via IncrediMail. It also bloats the emails you send and spies on the email recipients. The pretty formatting is not rendered properly on web mail or many email clients. It also uses a proprietary method of storing emails that is difficult to export to another email client. (For help with the export, read this article. Once they are in Outlook Express, you'll be able to move them into any other email client.) It is difficult to remove Incredimail, help with the removal is available here. The end user agreement is very scary. Bad news of Incredimail never ends.
  • Firefox and the post WinXP SP2 version of Internet Explorer now have controls over installs and pop-ups, but you still need the backstops that the suggested applications provide.
  • To explore this topic further visit the following sites, which are listed in no particular order. I encourage you to explore each site thoroughly. They'll inform and equip you very well.
    SpyChecker a Windows Secrets article Gooroo AdwareReport.com: Spyware Reviews
    SpywareInfo CounterExploitation Home PC Firewall Guide: Anti-Spyware
    CastleCops Spyware Warrior How to Remove Spyware and Malware
    DoxDesk Firewall Guide Protecting Your Privacy & Security

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Microsoft software considerations
The vast majority of viruses take advantage of the fact that most people use Windows and Microsoft software such as Internet Explorer, Word, Outlook, and Outlook Express.

  • Use a safer internet browser. Otherwise use Mozilla Firefox instead as your web browser. It is a superior browsing experience as well. Its installer copies everything from Internet Explorer nicely.  Unfortunately, MSN uses Internet Explorer, which limits a DSL subscriber's browser choice.
    • Review FireFox's settings under Tools/Options menu item. Generally the defaults are ok to start. I suggest the following items be changed to checked:
      • General: Default Browser
      • Privacy: Cookies for the originating site only
      • Advanced: tabbed browsing as new tab in the most recent window.
      • You can spped up FireFox using these tweaks
    • Check out the available extensions that can add amazingly useful functions. Start with these three : xMirror, IE View, and FirefoxView.
  • A little off  topic, but URL spoofing vunerabilities is something you need to understand.
  • Unless you know why Outlook Express is your choice of a free email client, use anything else but. Internet Explorer and Outlook Express share the same vulnerabilities as to malware/viruses. Export, then remove the contacts, emails, accounts configuration from it when you abandon it. Your ISP's web mail may be all you need, and it can take care of virus checking email and  filtering spam. Mozilla's Thunderbird is a free email client. PocoMail and Eudora are paid alternatives.
  • If you want an alternative for calendaring try Mozilla.org's calendar projects.
  • Set preferences in MSN and Windows Messenger to never start automatically. In the options for Outlook Express, the default is to automatically open Windows messenger! Yeesh. Only run Messenger manually.
  • I use do Firefox instead of Internet Explorer. I don't use Outlook Express or Messenger. I do use Microsoft Office (including Outlook) and this page is authored using MS FrontPage. I'm happily married to Outlook because it syncs well with Pocket PCs and I use an Outlook add on Nelson Email Organizer (NEO) that is a wonderful organizer and efficiency booster. Nothing else comes close to Outlook with NEO for managing email. Both the NEO Standard or Pro versions are great values.

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Backup your files/drives

  • You will lose important files on your computer, either by accident or hardware failure. The only way to avoid such a disaster is to backup your important files regularly. You can backup your files using the free SyncBack  or Cobian Backup programs. Be diligent in burning data CDs/DVDs of static files such as your family's irreplaceable digital photos.
  • It is also a good idea to backup your entire hard drive (or partition) with commercial software. such as the highly recommended Acronis True Image or Norton Ghost (only version 9 or later). Either is typically about $50US, but I've seen True Image at Costco for $40cdn. Most issues on this page have free solutions, but you should spend your money for one of these. With proper backups, you'll recover folders, files or drives within minutes from any software or hardware disaster, short of nuclear fallout.
  • Remember to store the backup on another computer or on removable media, e.g. CD, DVD, tape, external USB2/firewire hard drive, etc. One can also backup to another partition on the same drive or to a separate internal drive, but these are a better than nothing destination compromises. Configure for frequent incremental backups, and examine often that scheduled backups are actually there and verify them occasionally. Understand the operational requirements if also running GoBack 4.

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Add the ability to roll back your computer to an earlier time
Norton GoBack 4 is highly recommended if you want the ability to roll back your computer to any earlier time within the past several days or recover a deleted or earlier version of a recent file. Not a replacement for a backup, but it often does what you need. E.g, undo an install that caused problems, go back before the virus hit, and it lets you restore any data changed since. GoBack's data requires up to 8 Gig, so your hard drive must have a lot of free space before installing it. Be sure to understand your disk backup software's compatibility requirements for systems running GoBack.

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Download and install safely

  • You should only install software from sources you trust, i.e. purchased software. Don't install something downloaded from a P2P network or something someone sent you via email or that a web ad or pop up ad recommends. Avoid anything that purports to improve your surfing or chatting experience. Verify that any software is widely recommended on the web and in the news groups before any download or install.
  • If you are still paranoid and want to see what changes a program is making to your system when it is installed you can use a free utility such as InstallSpy.

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P2P "file sharing" Be careful! It's a walk on the dark side.

  • The popular person to person (P2P) file sharing softwares are the antithesis of the safe computing practices otherwise encouraged on this site. P2P file sharers must diligently apply all the prevention, diagnosis and repair techniques on this page to mitigate, but not eliminate the risks.
  • Regardless of the motives driving users' demand, the supply side of P2P file sharing infrastructure is malware supported. It's an evil ethical/social/business construct, so don't expect any of the players to look after your interests. Even if the files seem harmless, such as music, the software that moves them is far from harmless to your computer or data. Incidentally, images, music or video can also have bad payloads hidden in them.
  • Do not install KaZaA, KaZaA Lite, eMule, eDonkey, iMesh, Morpheous, etc., etc. Move your shared/downloaded files to safety (be sure folder names are different as well), then uninstall the P2P programs. Often their uninstallers leave the malwares behind.  Next try the ad/spyware scanners to rid your computer of their malwares. For further advice, Google both the web and the news groups for YourWhateverP2PprogramName remove/uninstall. If using Ares, uninstall NavHelper in add/remove program control panel.
  • The safest course is to avoid P2P file sharing. If one is determined to participate, there are less troublesome P2P sharing programs such as Shareaza, Kazaa Lite Resurrection or LimeWire. Zeropaid has a comprehensive inventory of P2P software and the file sharing networks for your perusal. Search the web and the news groups thoroughly for the known or potential downsides of any P2P software that you might install.

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Podcast risks

Podcasting has reached wide mainstream use in 2005. It is just a matter of time before people realize that it automates the push downloading of possibly any file content. Even inoculous looking media files may carry bad payloads. The downloaded  files may get you directly or exploit the many security weaknesses of all the main media players. Ensure that you know that your pod catcher software limits downloads to selected media files types, blocks or strips out any active file content and will not execute active content or any other type of file.



Implement Anti-Spam measures

Although generally not a security issue, spam (unsolicited junk email) can be extremely annoying.

  • You can avoid receiving spam by making sure your email address is not public knowledge. For example, if you post to newsgroups then use a mangled email address
  • Use mail filtering capabilities of your email client to get all your white/blacklist mail out of the default inbox. Turn off preview of the inbox, as it essentially opens the email. The sender of spam serves images to the viewed page and thereby gets confirmation that you have viewed it. You are now a confirmed live one on the spammers distribution lists, that they'll sell to others.
  • I ask anyone sending out emails "to" large distributions to address future ones using the "bcc" field only, and to educate others to do so as well. If you use either the "to" or the "cc" distribution lists, it may be used by any recipient for unintended purposes, and needlessly exposes yourself and others to undesirable spam and the propagation of computer viruses and such. It only takes one person on a "to" or "cc" distribution who is not practicing safe computing or good ethics to cause you and everyone else grief. This is less about trustworthiness or ethics of recipients, but rather that bad things do happen to good people's computers and their internet service providers.
  • If you are already receiving spam then use a spam filter compatible with your email client. I haven't found a perfect one yet. The best option for filtering out spam is to have your internet provider do it for you on their servers. View the results on the web, and fine tune the filters until you are essentially downloading only the good email. I check the ISP's web mail before letting my email client download onto the PC. Never view or reply to spam. Just delete it.

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Root kit awareness
You need to be alert to upcoming threats. Follow the links in this article to learn counter measures and repair tools for the root kit threat. RootkitRevealer is the current freeware for this threat.

 

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Wireless securitiy at hot spots
This article at Windows Secrets does suggest a few affordable virtual private network (VPN) service options for securely using wireless hot spots. Very useful for portable wireless computing while traveling.

 

Repair and diagnosis

  • Use Google to search both the web and its news groups for almost any computer issue. The answers are there. For better results, be sure to go to preferences and reset the displayed results from 10 to 100 per page.
  • In Windows Explorer, go to Tools/Folder Options/View and check "show hidden files and folders" and reset all folders to do likewise. It will enhance your awareness of and access to files an your computer.
  • Window's search utility only finds the files you have access to. If you can't find a file, it may be owned by another login user. Try searching when logged in as the other user(s).
  • Start/run and enter msconfig to see what is starting up on your computer. Making changes has risks, but you can Google anything you see in the start up tab to understand each item, before acting. For users of Windows 2000 who wish MS had included msconfig, you can download and use Windows XP's msconfig.exe utility here.
  • Review your installed programs in Control Panel add/remove programs for unwanted items.
  • HiJackThis (used with analyzers 1,  2, and/or  3) and X-RayPC (analyzer built in) are useful to view and assess active processes and other risks. May be too geeky/risky for some. Read and understand well how to analyze and fix with them. They are updated often, so be sure to download latest version before running.
  • Active Ports is helpful to view what is using your ports. Uninstall it when your curiosity is satisfied, as it can possibly used by malware on your PC. A virus scan may see aports.exe as a minor risk.
  • MoveOnBoot  replaces or deletes files which are locked by other applications, loaded into memory or cannot be changed until next system boot. Useful for exorcising your PC of identified stubborn pests. Alternately, use HiJackThis and select the Config button at the lower right, then the Misc tab at the top and then Delete a file on reboot, and follow the directions. The WhoLockMe Explorer extension is useful to identify what process has locked a file. Unlocker is an explorer extension for enabling deletion of locked files.
  • Belarc Advisor, System Info, AIDA32 and Everest HE quickly give you inventory reports of your computer's hardware and software configuration.
  • CPU-Z or WCPUID are useful to precisely report your processor's characteristics. To help identify unknown hardware devices try UnknownDevices or PCI32.
  • To get a backup of the existing drivers on your computer use the following download links: WinDriver Expert (free version is at the very end of page)
    WinDriversBackup Personal Edition (go to end of page)
    Each download purports to do the scan and backup of the drivers, but I’d use both to crosscheck the results. Be sure that all essential hardware is connected/operating before the scan, or it may be missed.
  • A very common problem is Messenger Plus! Uninstall it and run both uninstallers found at lop.com/help.html#toolbar. Be sure to download and run them using every login user before restarting. They remove a group of Search Now and Search the Web toolbars and web page hijack variants. lop.com's sleazeware arrives in Messenger Plus! installs or updates and thereafter lives and grows independently.
  • If your having problems with networking, I have documented here a few things to try.

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Maintenance tips

  • If hard drive is getting slow or busy sounding, try a defrag. Find the magic key(s) (try F8) that provide a boot choice menu on start up and select safe mode.  Only in safe mode will Windows dependably  run the defragmentation to completion. Microsoft's defrag analyses isn't informative, and uses a high threshold to recommend a defrag. Just do the defrag. If the hard drive is sounding unusual or your computer is crashing/freezing, make sure your back ups are not on that same drive.
  • To reduce computer overhead, I turn off indexing or compression of your drives. Right click each disk/partition when exploring My Computer, and select properties. Under the general tab, deselect indexing and compression options. It is also a drag on resources to use encrypted drives.
  • Run these online diagnostic tests from time to time:  Shields Up on this page, Symantec Security scan and PCPitstop.
  • If you want to see where your disk space went try TreeSize and SequoiaView. To manage  duplicate files try Duplicate File Finder.

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Photo or graphics editing applications

My recommendations for graphic/photo applications to view, convert, create and edit images are documented within my webmaster tips page at this link.


Computer buying

My tips or recommendations for buying a computer are documented on my computer shopping tips page that is under development. In the meantime, contact me if you want help .

 

Miscellaneous tips

  • IZarc is a free utility for compressing and uncompressing files in many formats. IZarc is much more versatile than the popular WinZip or Windows' built in unzip capability. Download it from the mirror sites, as their own server is ridiculously slow.
  • I hate security suites. I'm using stand alone applications instead, even if its from the same company. You can't custom install or uninstall the parts you don't want, such as Norton's awful anti-spam filter. Most all-in-one solutions can't be best of breed in every category, so al a carte is better. They have incompatibilities among their own products if you update portions in a given year. It's not worth the trouble. My experiences are with recent Norton and McAfee suites. My experience and opinion aside, ZoneAlarm Security Suite 6.0 is getting good reviews as to all its parts working well. It's the one to consider if you go with an all in one security suite.
  • I have yet to see any useful software from Rogers Yahoo. Don't install any of it, including their online security suite. I often help people recover from the many problems of using lame or troublesome software supplied by their ISPs!  The recommended softwares elsewhere on this page will serve you best.
  • TweakUI and  X-Setup Pro are tweaking utilities that offer powerful control over your OS.
  • Trapped in Hotmail? Sign-up to MSN Premium, so you can download your email into your PC with the email client of your choice. Cancel once you have rescued your emails. You may be able to do this within a free trial period. Plan B, is to try either GetMail or izymail to pull in Hotmails, but I can't vouch whether these free utilities will work in every case.
  • The recommended Windows’ memory management settings that optimize the size of the virtual memory paging file are here.
  • Organize your start programs menu. You can drag and drop them into a sensible order and into folders you create. Please, do not drag icons out of the programs menu (e.g. to the desktop), just right click copy them instead. Do also right click the start menu and use the advanced tab to refine the settings. The show as a menu option is useful in many instances.
  • Many people could use the task bar area more productively. Right click on it and unlock. Then turn on the desktop and quick launch tool bars. Drag them to location and size of choice. Add and delete as required to keep only high value items accessible. Do keep the really useful show desktop icon visible. Lock the task bar when done.
  • For checking/resetting your IP connection status, use Start/Run, enter cmd, then enter ipconfig /help or if Win9*  enter winipcfg instead. An easier method for Windows NT/2000/XP is to download and use Wntipcfg.exe.
  • To securely run your PC from any other computer, use the free LogMeIn, or paid alternatives GoToMyPC or MyWebEx PC.
  • Select/install/uninstall fonts easily with The Font Thing. It's free and will work on any Window OS.
  • To convert obscure file formats to readable ones try ConvertFiles.com

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Additional resources

  • Keep well informed. I definitely recommend that you subscribe to the following free newsletters:
    • LangaList semi-weekly newsletter. This is my favourite email newsletter. Every issue has solidly useful content. I'm a LangaList Plus subscriber.
    • Scot's Newsletter monthly is general in coverage, and quite useful.
    • Windows Secrets Has excellent coverage on current computer security product ratings. The paid version works with any donation.
  • You! Other inputs for this page are welcome.

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Contact Gord for further information or help. 613 820-5585 or  .

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