Get Google Cloud Storage but ...

I totally like, agree and use Google for many services - email, Google Docs, Google+ and this Blog. However, I do not use it blindly. Why? read on ... from Google Terms and Conditions

"Your Content in our Services: When you upload or otherwise submit content to our Services, you give Google (and those we work with) a worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works (such as those resulting from translations, adaptations or other changes that we make so that your content works better with our Services), communicate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute such content. 

The rights that you grant in this license are for the limited purpose of operating, promoting and improving our Services, and to develop new ones. This license continues even if you stop using our Services (for example, for a business listing that you have added to Google Maps)."

Bottom line: use all the services and just do not put sensitive, personal or anything you would prefer NOT be made public in Google.

Identity Theft Tips

Your identity is comprised of three types of information: financial, medical, and public documents/data. Identity is an asset—as valuable as cash in hand. And it’s easily compromised through theft or a data breach. 

This site ID 911 has a FAQ Knowledge Base that can serve as a personal checklist for protecting yourself. LifeLock as you know is a fee-based service that monitor your identity, but you can almost create a 'DIY LifeLock' with free Credit Card fraud monitoring, free Credit Reports and Mint a free financial 'read only' app for the web and mobile devices.

9 Free Programs a New (or existing) PC Needs

From PC World (copy and paste link into browser or copy and search program name in Google)

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2082305/your-new-pc-needs-these-22-free-programs.html#tk.nl_down

1. Browser ... Chrome

2. Anti-Virus ... AVG or Avast

3. Anti-Malware ... Malware Bytes

4. Deleted File Recovery ... Recuva

5. Temp File and PC Cleaner ... CCleaner

6. Program Updater ... Secunia PSI

7. Password Manager ... LastPass

8. Microsoft Word, Excel + replacements ... LibreOffice or OpenOffice

9. Photo Editing ... Picasa (personal addition - not in PC World article)

They Can Guess Your Password!

Telepathwords is a weak password prevention system that will try to guess the next letter in your password. From there Telepathwords will try to guess your entire password. 

If Telepathwords can guess what you're typing, then odds are that your password isn't very strong. In that case, it's best to strengthen your passwords. Telepathwords is run by Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon University, and they have encrypted Telepathwords for your safety (for added safety do not check "Donate my keystrokes to science").  research.microsoft.com

Chrome Privacy Tip

Chrome has be recognized the fastest and now most popular browser for the PC. If you are like me, privacy is something you desire and most browsers do have silent browsing feature. In Chrome it is called Incognito mode. Here is a shortcut to access the Incognito mode when using Chrome.

Use keyboard shortcut CTRL+SHIFT+N and you immediately cn browse incognito.

Check out 65 Chrome Shortcuts

Best Password Managers - Review

Rule number One ... use a different password for every site you are required to use a user name and password

Rule Number Two ... remember all the unique passwords -or-

Option ... use a Password Manager (LastPass, DashLane or Password Box)

See Password Manager Review 

Reduce Google + Random Emails

Google + is great ... I use it for photos, but new service now allows anyone with Google + account to email you. See article and change email settings ... Stop Google + emails

2013 Tips, Websites and Apps

Protect Your Identity ... 10 Tips everyone should heed

Sites and Apps to browse when you have nothing to do

About.com ... A great site to initiate a search for just about any topic or category before you punch keywords into Google. Consisting of 24 Categories and over 1,000 specific Topics, this site has lots of information for everyone. 

Google + ... create a Google+ account and backup all your digital photos to the Cloud. Includes Auto Backup so photos taken with iPod, iPhone or iPad are automatically uploaded when connected to Wi-Fi.

Flickr ... a backup to a backup for photos. Flickr offering 1 terabyte of free photo storage or about 1 million digital photos with an average file size of 1 megabyte (1,000 kilobytes).

Vid2MP3 ... convert YouTube videos to MP3 audios for free. It is a new service so give it a try. I currently use YouTube MP3 and this has worked very well for me to save audios to my iPod.

Disposable emails ... use disposable email services to provide a one time email to those sites you are required to provide an email in order to obtain a free report or information (without the fear of ongoing spam). I have used Mailinator and www.Guerrillamail.com (not listed).

Refurbished Apple devices ... $ave money by checking out Apple's refurbished specials.

Household Magic ... Sign up for daily tips. (note: periodically they send a Tip that is 'sponsored'. If you see sponsored at the beginning of the Tip - just delete)

iDoneThis  ... use this app and website to capture accomplishments, events, and to recall past events, personal memories. Consider it a journal for anything. I use it as a diary several times a week. Web sync included.

LastPass ... free password manager - you only have to remember one Master Password and securely remember a different password for any site you must use a user name and password. Remember: use a unique password for every site you must log into.

Evernote ... 'remember everything' note-taking app for your mobile device, web and desktop (from note taking to complete everything management). Here are 10 Ways to Save Time. #1 rated.

Wunderlist ... a keep it simple To Do app - clean, easy and beautiful interface (free is all you need). I was part of the original user beta team, testing and suggesting features before release. Perfect for anyone considering a basic To Do system. 

Pocket ... (was Read It Later) a great app that sits in your browser and mobile device that captures any website with a click and saves it for reading later

Drafts - fastest 'capture it now' notes app for iOS. Open the app and a new blank page opens to add a note, reminder. Added features include the ability to share wildly (send to other apps like Evernote, email, Facebook and more).

Making iOS Easy ... a collection of tips and ideas I have found as I explore and use Apple technology

Check for Weak Passwords

Telepathwords is a weak password prevention system that will try to guess the next letter in your password. From there Telepathwords will try to guess your entire password. If Telepathwords can guess what you're typing, then odds are that your password isn't very strong. In that case, it's best to strengthen your passwords. Telepathwords is run by Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon University, and they have encrypted Telepathwords for your safety (for added safety do not check "Donate my keystrokes to science"). www.research.microsoft.com

Zoner 16 is Here !!

Yes, my Number 1 photo editor and manager has just issued their latest version Zoner Photo Studio 16. Through the several classes and discussions we have enjoyed as a group, we all like the professional view and ease of use of Zoner 15. That has been expanded with touch technology in Zoner 16. 

I plan to share my experiences with Zoner 16 in the future, but why wait? Go to their website www.zoner.com and download a trial version today. You won't be disappointed. Any questions, just contact me.