A Free Photo Backup Model

With cameras on Apple and Droid devices, in addition to the proliferation of social networking, photos are HOT! Now we need a process and way to backup and store those precious memories.

Here are the three services I use to share and store my digital camera and iPod photos (besides backing up on my PC). I will provide more detail with my post-processing steps in a future post, and a cool site that allows easy transferring photos between these services. But for now, check them out and sign up for your free account:

• Google+ (unlimited free photo storage and sharing)
  
• Flickr (1 Terabyte free storage and sharing)
• Facebook (unlimited sharing)
  

Little Known Power Saver - Hybrid Sleep

Microsoft designed Windows 7's power management with an eye towards

ease of use. Such an approach often sacrifices versatility for simplicity. Luckily, stronger power options are there if you know where to look.

See Hybrid Sleep.

Supersize Your Free Cloud Storage

Check how to gain lots of free storage http://www.pcworld.com/article/2037131/supersize-your-free-cloud-storage-to-100gb-or-more.html#tk.nl_down.

Organize Your Photos - Zoner Photo Studio

Where are all your photos ... in My Pictures, under My Documents or somewhere else. Do you need to tweek your photos to make them standout? I have the program for you. Zoner Photo Studio. We have introduced photo editing at our recent tech and photo seminar in the community last month and many had asked whether Picasa is the best for their use. 

Picasa is a great tool (and free) from Google. But once you begin exploring it's capabilities and features - many have needed to move their hobby of editing up a notch. So, do you move to GIMP (a free Adobe PhotoShop clone with a steep learning curve), or Photoshop Elements (a pared down version of Adobe PhotoShop)? My answer is have the best of both worlds - Zoner Photo Studio. 

Check the comparisons here http://www.zoner.com/en/buy and consider Photo Studio 15 for 30 days. In my opinion it is 1) the best photo management tool around, 2) clear and direct editing tools, 3) easy support on Zoner or through Google Search and 4) support for RAW.

I use Zoner Photo Studio Pro 14 and love it.

Online Security - Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication requires you to enter two login tokens before you can access an online account. The first token is your standard password (something you know), while the second is a login code randomly generated by a smartphone app or sent via SMS or email (something you have). See PC World Two-Factor

Speeding up Your PC

Over time your PC starts to feel a littleolder and sluggish. The best way to improve the overall performance is to reinstall the operating system, but who really wants to do that. Two article (below) provide tips and free software to remove bloat-ware, free up disk drive space, and improve start-up. Read more ... and remember 'if in doubt - Google first' and next 'if in doubt - leave it alone'. As always, create a restore point before you start.

http://www.komando.com/toolbox.aspx?mode=print&id=9780

http://www.komando.com/toolbox.aspx?mode=print&id=9622

Secure DropBox Files for Free

Many of us use DropBox to store and share files and photos in the Cloud. However, if you like me are nervous about placing sensitive or personal information on the internet, Viivo may be a solution. Viivo - developed by PKWARE (who developed the .zip file in 1986) are making available an encryption app/program for iOS, Android and Windows.

Dummies Guide to PC Fixing

Here is a great printable cheat sheet to troubleshoot and maintain your PC. Many tips and suggestions that you may find useful. Go to this link  http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/troubleshooting-maintaining-your-pc-allinone-for-d.html

Best Password Manager - LastPass Wins

Using a password manager application to automatically log into Web sites -- and to secure and manage all of your user IDs and passwords -- is a great help in organizing your digital life. But most password managers simply save your data in an encrypted file and then leave it stranded on one computer.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/208113/Best_Password_Managers_Top_4_Reviewed.html

How to Stop Malware

I subscribe to a Windows Secrets Newsletter that monthly, shares articles on Windows use and tips. This month's featured article was Malware and how most originates from Russia, Eastern European and China.

a quote from the summary ...

"When asked the top three ways to deter malware on a PC, Brandt's suggestions are ones we should all know — and follow — by now.

• Stop using Windows XP.
• Install and keep updated security software such as the free AVG (site) and Malwarebytes (site).
• Most important: Think before clicking any link and whenever Windows unexpectedly asks whether you want to proceed with a change to your PC settings."