Use PC Sleep Mode - Saves $24 a Month

Do I turn off the PC at night, use Sleep Mode or Hibernate. Studies by Lolo Labs recommends that putting your PC/Laptop in Sleep Mode will save $24.00 per month in energy use while allowing a quicker 'On' capability while not stressing your PC/Laptop with On/Off power surges. Read more ...

Free Antivirus You Can Trust

Can a free download really protect your PC? Yes, but you have to choose the right one. PC World's recent lab tests identify the most reliable no-cost security programs. The top two apps are: No. 1 = AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2012 and No. 2 = Avast Free Antivirus 7. My favorite is Avast (I like the lady who daily informs me I have been updated). Remember: DO NOT install two antivirus applications on your PC.

Tips on Using 'IDoneThis'

I Done This https://idonethis.com/  is a neat online website and iPhone/iPod app that allows you to record accomplishments and events in you personal, business and family life. It is free and very easy to use. Here are some basic tips and hints on how to use and take advantage of this application beyond just capturing completed tasks. Today, we are all have too many things on our plate and we move from activity or task to another activity or task. Then we need (or would like) to recall an event or activity/task completion - we are lost. Therefore, the bottom line for me: I like and use this 'tool' for one purpose - to collect and record things I want to remember. 

Here are my Tips for the new user:

• Once you sign up on the website - IDoneThis will send you a daily email
• Add the website to your browser 'favorites' or save the link in a draft email for easy access
• Download and install the IDoneThis on your iOS device(s)
• Daily - simply take 1 minute and reflect on those things you accomplished today, or events that contributed to your life and record the accomplishment
• You can record anything as it happens ... or at the end of the day (the tool allows you to record activity on past dates)
• IDoneThis has an excellent search feature - enter your keyword in the search 
• To allow you to view related activities, I created 4-5 prefixes that I include in each entry such as Fam (Family), Bus (Business), Pers (Personal), etc.
• Using those prefixes (for example "Pers - Went to Dinosaur World with 3 Amigos"), I can then search 'Pers' and see all 'Pers' recorded events
• Also, if you want to view all entries for a month, simple highlight the days of the month on the provided calendar 
• Once you have done a search or highlighted days in the Calendar the application provides you 3 options for exporting, printing or emailing your search or date results (see the small icons located to the right of the first date listed). Note: you may need to copy and paste results to capture them.
• Since this is a free app - there could be a time in the future that the service will be cancelled or convert to a fee based service, I recommend that as a minimum, you print or export/email the previous month's recordings to your PC or hard copy for a permanent record.
• Any questions - please email me.
• Note: explore the links and features of the site to become comfortable.

Extract Text from Images and PDF Docs

Free-OCR.com is a free online OCR (Optical Character Recognition) tool. You can use this service to extract text from any image you supply. This service is free, no registration necessary. We also do not need your email address.

Search Google ... Privately

I have always had a small concern about search engines and ISP's keeping track of who I am and where I search. It became more evident when Google announced the changes to their privacy policies. Simple solution if you are concerned - don't use Google search if you have a Gmail account (or Google account). However, from what I read, Google only uses the search history to tailor ads to your IP address - they do not have your authorization to share or sell your search records to 3rd parties. The option I may be using myself ... just to separate my searches from Google is to use Start Page  https://www.startpage.com/eng/ . This search engine is developed by ixquick - one of the services that does not keep track of your searches and prides themselves as a truly private search engine. I do like their star rating system - where they rate your search results with other search engines that have the same result in their top search outcomes. Check both sites out www.ixquick.com and www.startpage.com.

Feb 1st is Change Your Password Day

February 1st is the tech world's Change Your Password Day. Just a friendly reminder that violation of your personal and business web sites and accounts are more and more vulnerable that every before. Using brute force, computer generated algorithmic character strings, etc., computer techs are causing havoc. Check this - the 25 most common passwords in 2011 are: password, 123456, 12345678, qwerty, abc123, monkey, 1234567, letmein, trustno1, dragon, baseball, 111111, iloveyou, master, sunshine, ashley, bailey, passw0rd, shadow, 123123, 654321, superman, qazwsx, michael, Football ... so if you use any of these, you have a high probability of being 'HACKED'. 

Do you use any of these to log on to your email, online bank account, online store or any general information site? DON'T !. So what is the solution? Here are suggestions you can use (maybe set this month as a goal to validate and strengthen EVERY password you use:

1) use a Password Manager like free LastPass

2) create unique passwords for each site you use by using the last 4 letters of your street address and first 4 characters of the web site you are accessing

3) validate password strength at Password Meter 

How to Organize Computer File Folders

I am helping a friend setup and organize her file structure on her new PC. Although I have some preferences and biases, I decided to relay on Microsoft to 'suggest' an approach they recommend. I will provide the link to the detailed Microsoft discussion, but here is a high level summary of what they recommend:

1. Use Documents (or My Documents) - easier to find, backup and keep files separate from programs

2. Define and stick to a consistent file and folder naming convention - and stick to it

3. Keep folder names short - it is better to create sub-folders like Personal > Finance > Taxes versus a long file name

4. Separate files and folders you are working on from those that are complete - reduces searching

5. Store like files with like files - photos, documents etc. (they each have a different Arrange by method)

6. Create a folder structure that can be seen all at once - if it is too complex, it will be more difficult to locate files

7. Consider storing completed documents online - Windows SkyDrive, DropBox, SugarSync are a few to look into.
For more details and examples see Organize Computer Files

The Answer to App Addiction

If you are like me, and use a mobile device for productivity (and maybe just for fun) ... here is a simple four (4) step plan to get organized and simplified. Now a Rule you need to adopt -  no more than 12 apps on Page One, and no more than 12 positions (individual apps and/or folders) on Page Two

Step 1: Either remove all apps (not my favorite) -or- move ALL apps OFF the first our Main Page

Step 2: Now move your MOST USED APPS onto Page One ... or Home Page

Step 3: Move your next set of apps onto Page 2, but only fill 11 positions - leaving one space for a folder 'New Apps'

Step 4: Limit new apps for review to 1 week (and no more than 2 weeks) - and weekly review those apps and delete if you did not use the app

Now, if you need more info on this approach - see How I Beat My App Addition

Tech: How to Use HTTPS

First, what is HTTPS?
HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure is a service that encrypts the connection between your PC and the website you are visiting on the Internet. This prevents unauthorized access to your connection from would-be hackers. Here is how to enable HTTPS on Facebook and Gmail:

Facebook - log into Facebook > click Account > Account Settings > Account Security > Change > click Browse Facebook on a secure connection ... > Save

Gmail - log into Gmail > go to Gear icon > Mail Settings > under Browser Connection heading select Always use https > scroll to bottom of page > Save

7 Tips for Taking Great Digital Photos

A great photo begins with you and then extends through the camera. Think about it! Every shot begins in your mind, not the camera lens. A super photo can be captured by the most basic point-and-click camera just as easy as the most expensive SLR. Here are 7 simple tips on shooting digital photos which will help you get great results every single time you take a photo!

1. Know your camera - understand the ins and outs and read the User Guide

2. Control the flash - no when to use it

3. Hold the camera level - check the view finder for horizontal lines and use align to it

4. Play with the Macro mode - it can be interesting

5. Use a tripod (especially in low light situations) - Wal-Mart sells a mono pod for $15

6. Play with ISO settings - learn about them first

7. Have enough memory capacity - and take most photos in hi-res

Source: AdvancedPhotography.net