Photo editing programs free, take time (07/14/08)

Last week I recommended Google's Picasa and Microsoft's Photo Story 3 to those of you who have adopted and are tutoring a novice. These two free programs, because they're user friendly with no significant learning curve, are excellent programs to help your adopted novice expeditiously begin a productive digital photo editing adventure.

However, if your novices are willing to invest the time they would have to invest to master state-of-the-art photo editing programs such as Paint Shop Pro and Corel Paint, I suggest you have them download Paint.net (www.getpaint.net) and Gimp (www.gimp.org).

Both of these programs are free. But both have significant learning curves that will turn off those novices interested only in instant gratification or are willing to be "forever a novice.''

Paint.net features:

• A simple intuitive and innovative user interface.

• Layers (often found only in expensive professional software).

• Special effects to include blurring, sharpening, red-eye removal, distortion, noise and embossing as well as 3D Rotate/Zoom to add perspective and tilting.

• Adjustments to help tweak an image's brightness, contrast, hue, saturation, curves and levels.

• The ability to convert an image to black and white or sepia-toned.

• Tools for drawing shapes, a curve tool for drawing splines or Bezier curves, a Gradient tool, a zooming tool and a Recolor tool.

• A Magic Wand for selecting regions of similar color and a Clone Stamp for copying or erasing portions of an image.

Gimp features:

• An Interface that allows you to customize Gimp's view and behavior the way you like it.

• A widget theme that allows you to change colors.

• Widget spacings and icon sizes to custom tool sets in the toolbox.

• A full-screen mode that allows you to preview your work as you edit your work.

• Photo enhancements to include fixing perspective distortion caused by lens tilt and the ability to eliminate lens barrel distortion and vignetting.

• Digital retouching to include a cloning and a healing tool.

Although there are many other excellent digital photo editing programs, I believe the ones I've mentioned last week and this week will provide what your adopted novice will need to begin a photo editing adventure without having to invest even a ha-penny.

Please keep in mind although the programs I've mentioned are state of the art, you should always create a System Restore Point before installing any one of the programs - just in case.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

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Snap Files site first stop for freeware (07/21/08)

The recommendations for free state-of-the-art software programs included in my series of articles dedicated to assisting Good Booters who've adopted a novice to tutor apparently tweaked the curiosity of many readers. After experiencing the quality of my recommended freeware, readers wanted to know where they could find and download freeware programs of the same quality.

Most computer magazines such as PC World have an online freeware and shareware download service. Significant online technical Web sites such as CNET also have excellent download services. (www.download.com).

However, my favorite download service is SnapFiles (www.snapfiles.com). I've found it to be extraordinarily well organized. Freeware, Shareware and Trial software categories are well indexed with in-depth descriptions, ratings and system requirements. And like Google, their advertisers' products are kept separate and are easy to identify.

But I must confess it's SnapFiles' Pro version that has made SnapFiles' Web site my first stop when seeking a freeware or inexpensive shareware program to fill a specific computing need.

Although the availability of free or reasonably priced software is a consideration, it's not the only reason I visit SnapFiles Pro Web site so often.

I'm totally addicted to freeware and shareware. And it's not just because it's free or at least pocketbook friendly. I enjoy it because many of the programs are extraordinarily well written and address just about any computing need I may have. In fact many freeware and shareware programs I've installed over the years were so well written and so innovative, they were eventually purchased by brand name vendors to be further developed or incorporated into their software.

And for only $19.95 a year Snapfiles Pro offers junkies like me:

•An Add to Favorites list: Add your favorite downloads to this list and they're automatically checked for newer versions every time you visit the site.

•A permanent list of the Web sites of all your downloaded programs. Should your computer crash or you buy a new one, you do not have to be concerned about spending hours finding and re-downloading your favorite freeware and shareware.

•A favorite of mine - An e-mail Update Alert whenever a program I've downloaded is updated.

•An opportunity to fill a CD with downloads and for a small fee have it shipped to you.

I should also mention whether you're downloading from SnapFiles public or Pro Web site - you can be sure your download is safe from the bad guys.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

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Remote repair not necessarily better (07/28/08)

The recent TV advertising blitz by a company offering to remotely repair your computer has generated a good bit of a interest by Good Booters. I've received e-mail asking me if the claims made by the advertiser are realistic. And how do the hourly fees charged by the company compare with those charged by local qualified technicians.

From all I've heard remote computer repair is becoming a significant PC repair option. However, I do not entirely accept the advertiser's claim that it's a superior method of PC repair because you do not have take your computer to a repair shop or allow a stranger into your home to repair your PC.

Rather I suggest it's an alternative method of PC repair available to those who have a high-speed Internet connection and a computer problem that doesn't involve hardware.

As for me and I'll most assuredly be labeled old-fashioned for saying this, regardless of how significant an option remote repair has or will become, I'll probably continue to prefer that my technician is sitting in front of my computer when he's diagnosing my system.

Although if my personal technician continues to be well-acquainted with my system, aware of my unusual computing transgressions, e.g., leaving my computer unattended and available to be crashed when the Winchell alpha kitten becomes intrigued by my marine aquarium fish screensaver and does an enthusiastic keyboard walkabout, and will hasten to my domicile if an attempted remote repair doesn't solve the problem, perhaps in an emergency I just might consider giving a remote repair a try.

It's your call, but is allowing a local technician with references into your home any more dangerous than permitting a cyberspace phantom technician to root around in your computer?

If you have questions concerning remote repairs, I suggest you contact David Keller (Compu-Doctor) at 277-7100. David will explain what can be done, how it's done and information on the cost to do it. And I personally guarantee there's no charge to chat.

Note: For a bit beyond novice Good Booters - check out Revo Uninstaller (www.revouninstaller.com). It's a freeware program that doesn't interfere with a Windows normal application uninstall, but if you use it to initiate an uninstall, scans your system before and after the application is uninstalled, allowing you to selectively remove the clutter of unnecessary files, folders and registry keys not removed during a normal uninstall.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot. 

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Google your way to PC safeguards (08/04/08)

Each hurricane season we're counseled on how best to prepare for a hurricane. Suggestions are made on how to ensure all the information and documents we would need to get on with our lives after "the big one" is secure and readily available.

I personally have found most Good Booters are in fact aware of the importance of archiving their important documents to include their insurance policies, prescriptions, healthcare surrogate(s), power of attorney(s), will(s), contacts and financial information. However, in many cases the archived documents are haphazardly secured in various locations.

Some use jump drives, others CD/DVDs and/or external hard drives. The storage devices are then placed in a bank safe deposit box, kept in a home safe or perhaps sent to a friend or relative for safe keeping. In fact, I've found many using all or a combination of all these methods to archive and secure their documents and important information.

There's nothing wrong with using any or all of these methods. Unfortunately, however. I suggest each method on its own presents a unique challenge.

• Updating information and redistributing it can be a hassle.

• Your safe deposit box or home safe may not be readily available.

• Your friend may cease to be a friend.

• Your relative may become your ex relative.

My point is, in addition to whatever method you are using to store and secure your documents and emergency information for whatever reason, why not add Google and the Internet as an additional layer of accessible, organized securestorage.

• Your bank account(s) will probably be available online wherever you may be. But be sure you have all your banking passwords along with any other financial passwords available in an uploaded Google document. You may be able to remember all your passwords, but your designated surrogate my not.

• Scan in your will, your power of attorney, heath surrogate, insurances documents and any other information you might need in an emergence and upload them to Google documents.

• Organize your medical records from doctors and hospitals and your prescriptions from pharmacies in Google Health ( an new Google feature).

• Create a Google Calendar.

• Create a backup gmail account with all your important e-mail addresses.

In my opinion what makes Google's "free, password protected" features so unique is all your information to include those you designate as surrogates is in one location available to be updated an/or edited from anywhere at anytime.

-Here's wishing you a Good Boot. 

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Cyberfish make inactivity fun – especially for cats (08/11/08)

My article mentioning Katie the alpha kitten attacking the fish swimming around my monitor when my screen saver kicked in certainly attracted the attention of Good Boot feline fanciers. Along with their requests for information on the screen saver, I received dozens of photos of family cats.

My current screen saver is Marine Aquarium 2 ($15 at www.serenescreen.com), but my all time favorite screen saver is Mopyfish (www.mopyfish.net), a free download.

Mopy was created in the early days of developing interactive Web advertising. However, when Mopy became available to the public as a free screen saver, it became the first true Web download phenomenon.

Although Mopyfish, a free cyberpet, was released in October 1997 by Global Beach, it has been downloaded more than 10 million times by 98, Millennium, XP and Vista users.

Mopyfish is a screen saver that requires you to read its fish-keeping manual. And I advise you to read it very carefully, because it explains the care Mopyfish requires. Requirements that if you do not adhere to will result in dire consequences. In fact, it will result in catastrophic consequences to your beloved Mopy.

Mopy is a realistic gold fish that after you give it a name requires you to feed him/her on a regular basis or you'll discover him/her floating comatose at the top of your aquarium.

However if you feed Mopy faithfully you'll accumulate points that'll allow you to add rocks, air bubbles and a thermostat to your aquarium. And if you religiously care for Mopy you'll receive enough points to obtain aphrodisiac fish food which will make Mopy one extraordinarily happy goldfish.

I guarantee if nothing else Mopy will enchant your grandchildren.

Another worthwhile program to investigate is Pictomio (www.pictomio.com) a free program developed by former employees of Google with the goal of challenging Google's Picasa.

It's features include:

• Image and video management

• A library to display and sort photos by the date taken, EXIF values (e.g. type of camera), category and album.

• An EXIF Editor

• A Workflow 3D folder. You can also display all your pictures in fast-forward.

• Virtual folders to arrange your pictures regardless of their location on the hard drive.

• A drag and drop Side Show creator.

• Liquid-Zoom

• GeoTagging which like Google allows you or a recipient to view the location on a map of where the picture was taken.

And much, much more.

It's worth a download.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

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Seniors have a place to go for quality computer instruction (08/18/08)

The bad news is there are very few organizations in Southwest Florida offering reasonably priced hands-on computing instruction for seniors conducted in a convenient, secure location.

The good news is there's one I can unequivocally recommend - the SHARE Club Computer Learning Centers.

The SHARE club is a Lee Memorial Health System Older Adult service dedicated to providing information and assistance to those of us who have reached our so called golden years.

One of its most successful services is the Computer Learning Center which caters to the needs of older adult computer novices seeking to master the beast that sits on their desktop.

The Computer Learning Center's highly qualified instructors supported by equally well qualified coaches (one for every two to four students) to ensure no student is left behind provide the instruction necessary to ensure each student becomes computer literate.

For those whose computer credentials include only booting to their Windows desktop, there's a basic computer course designed to free them from their fear of the beast that sits on their desktop. For a bit beyond beleaguered novices there are courses in word processing, Windows XP, Print Shop, photo editing, spreadsheet and database, XP maintenance, Internet and e-mail.

This fall and for the first time the Computing Learning Center will offer a hands-on Vista course. Their computers at Lee Memorial Hospital and Cape Coral Hospital have been upgraded to provide all the power needed to ensure each student will learn how to access all of Vista's extraordinary features. And should there be enough interest both locations will offer students the option of using either the Learning Center's desktop computers or their own personal laptop computers.

Why not at least call 239-772-6765 for additional information. I assure you you'll not regret it.

By the way, you do not have to be a SHARE Club member to take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to become computer literate.

Apropos of help for the beleaguered novice. Please do not pay any attention to the solicitations you're probably receiving via e-mail, Internet pop-ups and on many Web sites offering to speed up your Internet access and/or your computer.

Although I suggest it should be used judiciously, XP and Vista have a disk cleanup feature sufficiently safe for use by novices.

I recommend novices should never, I repeat never use third-party software to cleanup or tune up their computers. These are tasks only for qualified technicians.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

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Windows System Restore not a cure-all (08/25/08)

There seems to be continued confusion on what role Windows System Restore should play in one's backup regimen.

System Restore should be part of your backup regimen, but only as a quick fix for a Windows system problem that occurs during a specific activity, e.g. the installation of a program that goes awry.

The purpose of System Restore is to take a snapshot of your current Windows system when all is well.

Should your Windows system become corrupt for whatever reason, System Restore more often than not can restore the health of your computer by blowing off the corrupt version of your Windows system and replacing it with the healthy version saved as a System Restore Point.

But there's a catch. A System Restore Point becomes obsolete almost immediately after it is created.

So to be assured of a successful System Restore the Restore Point must be created immediately prior to the corrupting incident and the restore made as soon as possible after the corrupting incident.

And this is why. Your Registry, the database that contains your current Windows system configuration, is constantly changing. If the System Restore Point you use to restore your corrupted Windows system is not current, the restored configuration will not contain all your most recent Registry changes.

If you promise only to scroll through your Registry, do this: click Start ]] Run ]] Regedit. You'll discover just how large your Registry database is. In fact, your Registry includes every entry and change made to your Windows system from the time Windows was installed to the most recent change or entry you may have made to include changes as insignificant as deleting a Desktop shortcut and as significant as installing a new program or a Windows update.

Thus, if you encounter a problem installing a program and use a System Restore Point several weeks old (even only days old), the restored Registry will not contain the numerous and often critical changes made to your Registry since you created the Restore Point.

A rule of thumb is to create a System Restore Point before any activity that involves adding to, deleting from or changing your Windows system.

This does not mean in an absolute desperate situation you cannot try to restore your system using a dated Restore Point. But by doing so you might be jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

good boot

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Disk imaging the ultimate backup (09/01/08)

Last week, I discussed the importance of using Windows System Restore only as an expeditious attempt at a quick fix if you corrupt Windows System during an activity that involves adding to, changing or deleting Windows System Files. Activities such as installing, updating and deleting programs.

As I explained, the reason System Restore should only be used as a potential quick fix is that because Windows Registry is continually being updated you must restore the uncorrupted version as soon as possible after your current Registry is corrupted. Unless it's an act of desperation, restoring a Registry that's days and certainly weeks old can be counter productive, even fatal.

Why am I reiterating the importance of insuring you have a back-up version of your most current Windows Registry if it becomes necessary for you to replace a corrupted Registry? It's a lead in to a discussion of backing up a computer using disk imaging software. That for those who are and those contemplating using disk imaging software to back up their operating system, you must adhere to a philosophy of "if it isn't current, it isn't good."

Unlike System Restore that backs up only your Windows System, a disk imaging utility backs up your entire computer to include your operating system, applications, user settings and all data. In the event of a system or disk crash, virus attack or just about any fatal failure, you can use the image to restore your system.

Disk imaging may seem to the novice to be a more user-friendly alterative to having to reinstall Windows than their programs and finally having to copy back their backed up data. But for the same reason your System Restore must be current to be effective, so too must your disk image.

This means unlike a periodic data backup, using a disk image as your backup requires you to update your disk image almost every time you do anything on your computer other than reading your e-mail.

Simply put, if in the event your system crashes, to restore it as it was prior to the crash your disk image must be as current as possible. A task you may find too inconvenient or demanding.

I suggest if you're a novice you keep your Windows installation disk and your program disks in a safe but handy location and backup your data to an off computer device whenever you add, update and/or edit your data.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

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Seminar to cover housekeeping tips (09/08/08)

It seems whenever I dedicate a Good Boot or two to backing up I receive in response an extraor­dinary number of questions and concerns. And when I ask my seminar attendees what subject they'd like to discuss at their last meeting, it's always backing up. 

So once again because of your interest and that of my seminar attendees, my last Vista seminar - 9:30 a.m. Sept. 13 in the Lee Memorial auditorium on Cleve­land Avenue - will be dedicated to backing up. 

But this time I'll be taking a different approach, one that's appropriate for both Vista and XP users. I'm going to demonstrate not only various methods of backing up but also how and what you need to include in a periodic housekeeping activity that'll ensure should you experience a computer misfortune you’ll have everything you need to recover.

Although I'll touch on the more exotic methods of backing up, most of the seminar will be dedicated to user-friendly back­up methods appropriate for novices. 

The seminar will include what information you should back up and if it's not readily apparent where that information is stored on your computer, how to find it and add it to your backup. It's a soup-to-nuts Vista and XP back­ing up and housekeeping presen­tation using all the features pro­vided by XP and Vista as well as the additional tools needed to perform a thorough, periodic housekeeping. 

If you're in a quandary on how best to secure your system and data, plan on dedicating a couple of hours in an air-conditioned, state-of-the-art presentation facil­ity to discovering once and for all how to do it right. 

A heads up: I've been an Embarq person since switching from Sprint to Embarq wireless. And I must admit it was a good choice as Embarq has been an outstanding provider for my phones, wireless, Internet and TV needs. The other day howev­er when I went to upgrade my cell phone, I was told by the folks at Embarq they'll be discontinu­ing their cell phone business 2009. 

However, as fate would have it as I left the Embarq store I noticed a Verizon store across the parking lot. And thanks to Doug Lewandowski, one of Veri­zon's finest, after only one visit I became a Verizon wireless cus­tomer. 

If you're shopping for a new cell phone provider, I suggest you include a chat with Doug. He's remarkably attentive and forthcoming. 

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

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Monthly housekeeping a good idea (09/15/08)

If you've been a Good Booter for any length of time you know I'm a bit of an eccentric when it comes to backing up. But you may not know I'm also an enthusiastic computer housekeeper. And I suggest if you've a significant amount of valuable data, you should consider augmenting your backup regimen with a good housekeeping regimen.

I always begin my monthly housekeeping regimen with an update checkup.

I begin by ensuring my anti-virus and anti-spyware are current. For whatever reason there's always a chance they may not have been updated and I may not have been notified there was a problem.

Usually a click on their icons in the Toolbar Notification Area and a glance at the date of their current update is sufficient. However, if for any reason I'm concerned about how current the update is, I run a full update.

My next "just in case'' housekeeping regimen includes a trip to Windows' update Web site. I have Windows check to ensure I've all the latest critical updates. And while I'm there I check the non critical updates to see if there are any of interest.

I also visit Microsoft Office's Web site and check for updates as they often include security fixes.

Much of the rest of my monthly housekeeping regimen is nothing more than making sure I've not forgotten to do what I should have done when I created new, important data, added to my Windows' system configuration, e.g., installed a program or added new hardware.

It includes:

• A belarc (belarc.com) which I print and file to be available should my technician need it.

• A personal preference: WinAudit (free - Google it). It's a comprehensive inventory of everything on your commuter. It's so detailed it defies printing so I save it to a folder in Documents.

• Exporting my IE Favorites.

• Backing up Outlook (the backup add-in is available on Microsoft's Web site)

• Saving my important e-mail.

• Ensuring I've relocated to folders in Document any other important data that's not by default backed up to Documents.

• Printing out my Outlook calendar.

Outlook Express users should consider exporting to their Documents or My Documents their Address Book and important e-mail as well as a backup of Outlook Express. And I also suggest they print out their calendar.

Once I've completed my monthly housekeeping chores I know my monthly backup will be all-inclusive.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

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AVG 8 may slow down computer (09/22/08)

Most Good Booters know in my quest to provide free, quality software programs I've recommended AVG's free anti-virus program as an alternative to the often bloated and costly brand name anti-virus programs. Recently, however, I've received complaints from Good Booters that after installing AVG version 8 their Internet Explorer and Foxfire surfing - and for some - their whole system seems to have slowed down.

Until I read a column by Steve Bass in the October issue of PCWorld, I had no idea what could be causing the problem if in fact AVG was the culprit. Steve did however offer a plausible cause and a possible solution.

One of AVG 8's new features, LinkScanner, provides enhanced protection against malware and malicious sites. It disguises itself as an Internet Explorer component to evade detection by malware. When active, LinkScanner apparently has the potential of slowing down surfing as it checks Google, MSN and Yahoo sites for malware.

If you believe LinkScanner has slowed down your surfing to an unacceptable level, Steve suggests you deactivate it by:

1. Downloading and reinstalling AVG Free 8 over your current installed AVG 8.

2. Clicking Add/Remove Components when the installation starts.

3. Clicking Next for a list of components.

4. Unchecking LinkScanner

5. Completing the installation.

6. Rebooting.

7. Manually updating AVG's virus definitions.

If after deactivating LinkScanner you receive a warning LinkScanner isn't working, click on AVG's Icon then Tools, Advanced Settings, Ignore Faulty Conditions. Check the Link- Scanner check box and click OK.

Picasa 3

A heads up: Picasa 3 (beta) is available and it's loaded with some significant new and enhanced features.

They include:

• Collage: Six different collage types and many new settings for more hands-on collage creation screen.

• Sharing: Two steps to upload an album to Picasa Web Albums and e-mail invitations to friends and family to view your album.

• Improved auto red-eye correction.

• Cropping: Three crop suggestions based on the composition of your photo with 10 different dimensions to choose from when cropping.

• Screensaver. Pulls in pictures from additional photo sources, such as your Web Albums and photo feeds.

• Multiple word tags.

• Importing: To help you import images from a particular day or event Picasa now segments your images according to the time frame when they were taken.

• Slideshow: Significant new features to enhance your slide shows.

Picasa 3 is a must-have for all digital photography enthusiast.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

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Third-party program backs up mail (09/29/08)

Most Good Booters know by now I recommend Outlook Express (XP) and Windows Mail (Vista) as e-mail clients. But because it never ceases to amaze me why so many do not take advantage of these XP and Vista programs, I'm going to mention them again.

OE and WM are e-mail clients used to manage e-mail. Simply put, they're programs configured to go to an ISP's mailbox or multiple ISP mailboxes (Comcast, Embarqmail, Gmail and yes, even AOL) and return the mail to your computer. They're an alternative to accessing your e-mail via the Web, not necessarily a substitute. If you're not at your computer, you can always access your e-mail from anywhere via the Internet.

In my opinion it makes sense to be able to download your e-mail and attachments to your computer where at your convenience you can organize and edit your e-mail, save your important e-mail and relocate your attachments to appropriate XP and Vista folders. And by the way, you can do so without having to be online.

But perhaps one of the most important features of OE and WM is you can create a universal address book that's appropriate for a single ISP or multiple ISPs. It should be one that because it's a permanent resident on your computer, it can be backed up, even exported and available to be imported into OE and WM on a new or alternate computer.

Backing up your Address Book requires only a couple of clicks. It's simple enough to encourage you to do so each time you add a new contact.

However, because there's never been a truly novice-friendly way to completely back up the OE and WM program, I suggest if your e-mail, attachments and how you organize OE or WM is important, you should consider investing in a third-party backup program.

I personally recommend Express Assistant (http://ajsystems.com). A trial version is available.

Express Assistant backs up all of OE and WM to include your mail, attachments, registry settings and message rules. Its backup can be saved to a folder you create in Documents or My Documents to be included in your periodic data backup.

Express Assistant's backup will completely restore OE and WM after a system failure or can be used to transfer the programs to an alternative and/or new computer.

And for those like me, prone to older adult forgetfulness, Express Assistant can be configured to remind you to perform a backup.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

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Sooner better for posting of user training dates (10/06/08)

Recently on a trip to the mall, I observed displays of Christmas merchandise. For me a reminder that Sam Cook's beloved snowbirds will soon be back in the fold and not too long after their return, our 2009 computer presentation, seminar and hands on training season will begin.

In years past, the seminars, user group meetings and hands-on training schedules I've received have unfortunately been so close to the actual date of the event that many interested in attending have been unable to do so because they had a cast-in-bronze prior commitment.

With this in mind I decided this year to take a lesson from our local retailers' pre-preseason holiday presentations and attempt to begin posting 2009 computer season schedules by mid-October, providing enough advance notice for locals and snowbirds alike to begin noting on their calendars events of particular interest.

Admittedly this is a quest best described as herding cats as my past experience with many offering seminars and hands-on training is they lack a sense of urgency when it comes to publishing their schedules.

But fortunately to date I've been able to convince a few instructors and trainers of the merit of expeditiously publishing their 2009 schedules. Schedules will soon be posting to my news-press.com blog (www.news-press.com/goodboot).

My blog will headline a 2009 Calendar of Computer Seminars, Presentations and Hands-On Training with two options:

1. A 2009 summary of seminars, presentations and hands-on training, which is a list with the starting date of all seminars, user group meetings and hands-on training I've received to date. The list will be updated as I receive future schedules. If a visitor discovers an event of interest, he or she can click on "Calendar,'' and go directly to the event for a complete description of the event.

2. A direct access to a calendar of 2009 events with dates, locations and agendas.

Any organization is welcome to send me information for posting their meetings, seminars or hands-on training.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

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Your calendar soon will live on the Web (10/13/2008)

First we were offered a desktop PC to create and store our data. Then along came laptops, for many a more mobile and convenient way to create and store data.

Today we are well on our way to using any computer, anywhere, anytime as nothing more than a conduit to the Web where our documents, pictures, videos, presentations and e-mails are securely stored.

Although it'll be a while before most of us are totally involved in Web computing, there are a few Web applications that I recommend Good Booters investigate.

Google's free Calendar in my opinion is definitely an application everyone should consider. Like all Web applications it's available anywhere, anytime on any computer. It offers an opportunity to create multiple calendars to include:

• Personal calendars available only to you via a password.

• Public calendars available via a Google search.

• Public calendars available only to those whose e-mail address you provide.

• Calendars for a specific purpose that can be posted as a public calendar or perhaps attached to a blog.

There's really no limit to the number or types of calendars you can have. All of them are available in a novice-friendly presentation with in-depth help on Google's calendar Web site.

A feature I believe you'll find extraordinarily useful is "Agenda.'' When you click on it all the calendar event agendas are listed by date.

For those who use Outlook as their personal information manager, Google offers "Google Calender Sync.'' As you enter calendar dates in Outlook, Google syncs them to your Google calendar.

Another free Google feature is "Google Docs.'' You can create or upload documents to Google Docs that, like your Google calendar, are available anytime, anywhere via the Web. And because they're password protected, they're secure.

Although you must have Microsoft Office installed on your computer, Microsoft does offer free data storage on the Web. Office Live Workspace allows you to open and save Word, Excel and PowerPoint files as well as synchronize Outlook contacts, tasks and event lists.

Storing data on the Web is not only a convenient way to access or share data, it's one more way to secure your data should you experience a catastrophic computer crash.

Note: our consulting technicians will offer a presentation of Web computing at our February 2009 User Group meeting.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot. 

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CD/DVD inventory can pay off big time (10/20/2008)

If you haven’t done so already, sometime after you read this Good Boot I want you to inventory your software programs and Operating System CD/DVDs.  When you have done so I hope you’ll be able to answer yes to all of the following questions.

1. I have my original XP or Vista OEM (original equipment manufacturer) CD/DVD?

2. I have a copy of my XP or Vista OEM CD/DVD stored in a secure preferably off site location?

3. If I have an OEM XP or Vista Recovery CD/DVD, it has a "non-destructive recovery'' option which backs up data before reinstalling the operating system.

(Note: If you experience a catastrophic system failure many Recover Disks simply reformat your hard drive and then reinstall the original manufacturers' configuration of your computer. Your data is lost.)

4. I have an original and copy of all my software program CD/DVDs.

5. I've used a felt tip pen to write the serial numbers of my software programs and Operating System on their respective CD/DVDs.

(Note: Do not use sticky labels on a CD/DVD. If they come loose they can trash your CD/DVD player.)

6. I have copied all my downloaded programs to a CD/DVD and made note of their serial numbers.

7. I have a copy of the most recent full version CD/DVD with its serial number of my software program updates that require a full version CD/DVD as proof of purchase.

8. I'm aware of the software companies, e.g. Adobe, that require I physically deactivate a program on the computer on which it's currently installed before I can install and activate it on an alternative computer.

The reason for this little exercise is of late I've been receiving an unusual number of troubled Good Booters who discovered to their dismay they could not find their software program CD/DVDs or copies of their downloaded software programs to install when they purchased a new computer or had to reinstall after their operating system crashed.

I'll wager if you totaled up the cost of all your software programs you'd be shocked at how much it would cost if you had to replace them.

One last suggestion: When you make a CD/DVD copy of a software program or Operating System, be sure to test it. You do not have to go through the entire install. Just make sure it starts the install and will accept your serial number. Then exit.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

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Software sweeps up crumbs left after uninstall (10/27/08)

Because of the number of requests, I'll reiterate why I recommend Revo Uninstaller and Carbonite

Windows Add or Remove Programs feature is based on the information it receives during the installation of a program. Any subsequent additional information, links and properties made to the program may not be purged as they were not included in the initial installation.

Revo Uninstaller (a free utility) analyzes an application's data before an uninstall. When the uninstall is complete it scans for leftover unnecessary files, folders and registry keys and presents them in a checklist format. You can selectively delete them or delete them all.

As long as you create a "just in case'' Restore Point (I'm sure all good booters do so before an uninstall), Revo is an excellent way to remove potentially bothersome leftovers.

Carbonite (49.95 per year) is in my opinion the best "install it and forget about it'' data backup on the market.

Although I back up my data daily to an external hard drive, to be sure my data is absolutely safe from a catastrophic computer event, fire or hurricane, I rely on Carbonite.

Regardless of how much data I have on my hard drive, I know it'll be stored safely. It's available to be reinstalled after an untoward event or available to be relocated onto an alternative computer.

Carbonite unobtrusively uploads data in the background placing a little green dot next to each of the files and folders it has uploaded. Files and folders pending upload have a yellow dot.

Data can be restored in its entirety or by individual file or folder.

And be assured the data is secure and encrypted. Only you can see your files. Not even the folks at Carbonite can read your files.

Go to revo.com, carbonite.com or news-press.com/goodboot for a summary of their features.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

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Personal blogs found on news-press.com (11/03/08)

You're a snowbird back in SWF. You've just finished reading a Sam Cook article in The News-Press (print or online) in which he's made snide remarks about the creative driving habits of senior citizen snowbirds and you're livid about the liberties he has taken. But rather than shouting expletives from your lanai, you log on to your News-Press blog and present an antithesis of his thesis and perhaps in appropriate words mention where Sam should go and what he should do.

Your opinion of Sam and his column will now be posted on the The News-Press Web site available to literally thousands of readers rather than heard by just a few of your neighbors.

If you've read any of The News-Press blogs I'm sure you recognize their value. Unlike a Letter to the Editor which limits the number of words you can submit, a blog allows you to pontificate to your heart's content.

Whenever I mention blogging to older adults more often than not their eyes glaze over. And if there's any response at all it's thank you very much but mastering Vista is time-consuming enough. Why would I want to spend time creating a blog?

Why? Because in addition to being a personal bully pulpit because it's free and extraordinarily easy to maintain, a blog on The News-Press site can be an effective and inexpensive way for an organization to establish a presence on the Web.

No experience is necessary to establish a blog. It'll take about as long as it takes to read this column. And should it be your organization's blog, no experience is necessary to maintain it.

The News-Press provides all the tools you need to create an effective personal (public or anonymous) and/or organization blog site. You can upload photos, receive and respond to messages, provide an opportunity for readers to make comments and design attractive posts using sophisticated word processing tools to include adding photo and videos. There's even an option to create links to alternative Web sites or blogs.

A post can be published immediately upon completion, on a specific date and time or saved as a draft until ready to post.

The News-Press Web site not only provides a convenient location with extraordinary exposure, with its convenient search feature you're guaranteed your blog can be found.

You'll have no problem creating a personal blog, but if you need advice creating a blog site for your organization contact Michelle Hudson (mhudson@news-press.com).

Here's wishing you a Good Boot. 

My rules suggesting free software  (11/10/08)

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