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Showing posts from February 12, 2012

Stay Secure: Swap Passwords

I have discussed creating strong passwords in the past , now it's time to clarify a few other things... For critical websites such as email, banking and credit cards accounts you should change your password every three months. Put it on your calendar to remind yourself.  You might also consider changing the password on sites that have a lot of personal information, such as Facebook. A good password should contain at least eight characters or more. Your password  should be a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. Don't use personal information such as your birthday, driver's license, passport number, or your name. Password hacking software automatically checks for common letter-to-symbol conversions, such as changing "and" to "&" or "to" to "2" so don't think you are fooling anyone. Don't use dictionary words or typical phrases, words spelled backwards, sequential, or repeated characters (1

Search Your Computer Programs

I know on my computer there are a ton of programs. When the programs are installed, they put icons on the desktop, in the start menu under a folder, sometimes on the taskbar, sometimes at the top of the start menu.. Sometimes it can't be located!  So instead of actually trying to browse the start menu, clicking various folders such as accessories, it is easier to actually Search (click on the image below for a larger view of the start menu). Hit the start button, and type in the name of the program, "Calculator" for example and it will find the calculator program for you. Click on it and the program starts.  How simple is that? Want to have the program a little handier, in Windows 7, you can "pin" the program to the top of the start menu or "pin" the program to the taskbar, on the bottom left next to the start button.  Search or find your program in the start menu, right click on the name and select "Pin to Taskbar" or "Pin to Start Me

Securing the Facebook Timeline

Ok, it happened.. I wished it wouldn't but it did. Facebook changed my profile to the dreaded timeline. People don't like change and unfortunately, Facebook has decided it is better to change, so make the best of it, right? Well, I found there are a lot of things that showed up publicly that I didn't want out there! You can make some changes to make it safer. So today I am sending you to Computer World Magazine to check out this article on securing your Facebook Timeline. Something that is at the top of my list of tasks for today. Click on the title below. ☺ 5 ways to secure your Facebook profile in a post-Timeline world

Perfect Vision: Monitor Adjustments

Ever wonder if your monitor is set for the right colors? Although there is expensive software to calibrate the color  for professional graphic designer and photographers, sometimes it just takes a few minor adjustments for the average user to see that picture as it should be viewed.  You can tweak your monitor settings for tone and color so they are fully optimized. Usually your monitor has various buttons on the side or bottom to adjust the brightness and contrast. Screen Check It only takes a few minutes to modify your display settings through Windows 7 by 'calibrating' your software. This will help improve your monitor's view and optimize it.  Open Color Management by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Control Panel . In the search box (top right), type color management , and then click Color Management . Click the Advanced tab,and  if not already checked, use the Windows Display Calibration. Then click &

Hint: Tomorrow is Valentine's Day

No more procrastination. Now is the time to make plans for that special someone in your life. Remember? Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. The day you take your sweetheart out to dinner, movie, dancing, jewelry, chocolates... What! You don't have a lot of money?  Well, turn to the Internet today.. and make your life sweet tomorrow. Print a card! HP has some free Valentine's Day cards, games, mini cards and more.. just set it up and print.  American Greetings also has some free printable cards . Even add your own text to personalize it.  MES Cards have freebies that you can print as well. They also have photo cards and printable frames. Send an E-card! Dayspring has some great Christian e-cards. Free trials are available at Blue Mountain Cards, allowing talking e-cards, postcards and more. Free trial at American Greetings will let you send e-cards too.  Change their desktop background Flowers, Teddy Bears or Chocolates! Great Photo's, daisy, hearts or cl