Al Lustie's Tips and Tricks

Recently I published a link describing programs you DO NOT need.  Here is a different link listing the Four Essential Utilities you do need.

http://www.howtogeek.com/172860/keep-it-simple-here-are-the-only-4-system-and-security-tools-you-need-on-windows/

Don't just save your money -- spend wisely and work carefully.

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You don't need a lot of the stuff  advertised.  Howtogeek.com has this list for Windows users that I find helpful.  Check it out at:
http://www.howtogeek.com/172839/10-types-of-system-tools-and-optimization-programs-you-dont-need-on-windows/

What do you think?  Do you find this helpful?

When you download something you want, WATCH! the install program.  Often they have a box already checked so they can download a browser toolbar or other bit of clutter.  Uncheck the box.

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The nasty scammers are at it again.  They call, pretend to be working for or contracting for Microsoft, and say a problem has been detected on your computer.  For $XXX.xx they will fix it.  The cost was $349 for a year's protection quoted to one of my clients.

It's a SCAM!

This one was from India, but they can be from anywhere.  They love to prey on seniors.

Don't fall for it.  Just hang up.

Microsoft does not know anything about your computer unless you send them an error report.  They do not hire contractors to call you offering to help.  Save your money and your computer and your peace of mind. please.

I'd love to come over and help get the malware off your computer if you get suckered, but I would charge you.  Ditto! for other computer techs.

I would RATHER you didn't need to call.  When in doubt, hang up, turn your computer off and unplug it for an hour.  Or overnight.

The time has come.  For some of us it came yesterday or the day before.  Or others . . . not yet.  Users of iPhones, iPads, and iPods can download IOS 7 for the device(s) they use.  What can you expect?

First, it's not for every device.  If you device is too old, IOS 7 will not work on it and it will not download to it.

Suppose, for instance, that you have an iPod 3.  Sorry.  No IOS 7.  What has been working, however, will continue to work.  Apple did not abandon you to ownership of a piece of junk.

Suppose you have an iPhone or iPad and your Apps icon does not divulge that you have an update to IOS 7 waiting for you?  It's a new enough device, but when you tap the App icon, nothing is downloaded.  What can you do?

Tap on the Settings or System icon.
Tap General
Tap Software Update.

If your device is eligible it will probably tell you that you could download the new IOS 7 and install it.  Or, it might tell you that you don't have enough memory, and you need to choose which apps to uninstall.  Or music to uninstall.  It helps you figure that out and do it.

I recommend plugging in your device so that it has plenty of power for the ten or twenty minutes it will take to download and then install this important update.

What next?

I recommend going to the iBooks app, open it by taping on it, and search for IOS7.  There is a free book you can download and read that provide most, if not all, the help you need to use the new commands.  If you are a MacWorld subscriber, and get their emails, you will find help there.

Enjoy.  I am.

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I have been working with computers for 33 years now.  From an Atari 800 to my current MacBook Air, from Windows 3.1 to Windows 8, I have worked with, experimented with, and generally used these interesting devices.  I have a "gripe" worth sharing.  Maybe you do as well.

Here it is:  I get a uew, improved version of my workhorse.  I'll pick on Mozilla Thunderbird as an example, but various other programs and apps would work as well.  Somewhere along the line the developers and programmers and user-interface people get it "right" -- for me.

I would be happy if these people kept beefing up the security, maybe made it work faster, or let me hook other programs into it more easily.  But. . .

You know, when you hear the word "But" what a person really wants to say is coming next.

"But". . . leave me a way to keep using the program with the interface and features I love!  Don't force me to accept changes that are useless to me.  Don't sabotage success.

If Microsoft wants to make a version of Windows designed for social networking folks (Windows 8) fine.  But leave me the option of a Start button and the things that work for me efficiently and well.  Beef up security, make it work better with Mac computer and Linux computers -- but essentially leave me a ten or fifteen year window to keep working the way I want to.

Ditto, Thunderbird.  I have given it up.  Reluctantly.  It doesn't work right anymore.  I had features I don't need or use and they get in the way.  They may be great for someone, but let me keep using the older version with better performance and security.

Is that too much to ask?

I think of my friend and his hamburgers.  He like hamburgers.  He likes them with onions and pickles.  He does not like them with cheese!  And he does pretty well getting restaurants to provide him with hamburgers without cheese.  He goes back to those eateries and has not had to give up hamburgers.

Software developers -- take note!

What do you think?  Leave a comment and let us know.

When you travel these days you probably take more than a change of clothing.  Let me suggest some things to take that may stimulate your mind so you take what you need.

First -- a flashlight.  With fresh batteries, so that you can find your way around in a strange room at night.  Yeah, a flashlight may be old fashioned, but it is technology.  So is a pencil and a pen, for that matter.

Moving on, take a power strip with four or more outlets and at least a three foot cord.  With the outlet strip take the required number of chargers for your devices.  My wife and I each travel with an iPad (2 total) and an iPhone (2 total).  With the outlet strip we can charge them at night, and use them when not sleeping.  I take an iPod with audio books checked out from the public library, but we can charge that in the car as we drive and listen.

We happen to not have found a laptop necessary as we have Evernote on the iPads and a keyboard/case to use for heavy duty typing.  Ours is a Zagg, but other good ones are available.  The case makes it a bit heavier, but protects it.  We can access and write email, the web, the Starbucks app (must find the nearby coffee outlets) and make notes about whatever we see, hear or think.

If you are driving, a plugin for the car that can charge an phone or table or iPod as you go is very handy.  Let me tell you what we discovered a couple of weeks ago.

The adapter was plugged in, but the phone was not charging.  I got the Prius manual out and discovered (not easily) that there are two ways of turning the car one.  Our usual is to put a foot on the brake, press the "ON" button and we are ready to go.

But. . . no charging.

Keeping the foot off the brake pedal while hitting the "ON" button sets up a different set of circuits.  Only then do we put the foot on the brake pedal and press the "ON" button again.  Now it will drive and charge the car.

What works for you?  Leave a comment and let us know.