The Top Tech Tips of 2008

by Whitney Reynolds

Month after month, and year after year, one of the most consistently popular features of PCMag.com are our Solutions. It's hardly any surprise; we have tech experts Loyd Case and Neil Rubenking answering your hardware and software questions, DIY projects to keep you building and busy, and a plethora of tips covering many aspects of tech. What can we say; PCMag.com just loves to help.


Every weekday we send out a Tip of the Day newsletter, bringing the best of our solutions straight to your inbox. If you haven't subscribed yet, scroll about halfway down this page, and you'll find a gray box that will get you signed up. A few weeks ago we brought you the first 50 of these greatest tip hits; now it's time for the rest. Read on and you might just find the tip that changes the way you operate.

51. Build a RAID Array
Don't wait for the inevitable hard disk crash; set up a mirrored RAID array and let your PC handle the backups for you. Follow our step-by-step guide.

52. Multitasking Monitor
Turn two monitors into one by combining your PC screen and TV into one.

53. Easy Date and Time Entry in Excel
Cut down data entry time in a flash with handy Excel tricks.

54. Outsmart Calendar Spam
Spam has a tricky new mode of entry, so here's what you need to know to protect yourself.

55. 72 Tips for Safer Computing
From the basics to the extreme, here are the tricks that will keep your computer, you, and your family secure and safe.

56. Missing Drive Partition
How to recover a drive partition that has seemingly disappeared.

57. RAM Modules Preventing Boot
Is your new RAM keeping your computer from booting? Read this tip to learn how to fix this irritating problem.

58. Playing MP3s Through a Stereo
Is one MP3 player better suited to play through your stereo than the rest? Read this tip to find out.

59. Open Objects in Windows Explorer
Have a particular way you want your shortcuts? Create shortcuts your way with this tip.

60. XP Users, Speed Up Your 802.11n Connection
When you think about boosting the performance of your wireless network, 5-GHz wireless 802.11n routers are probably what come to mind. But the higher frequency used in the draft-n routers is only half the story.

Source : http://www.pcmag.com

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Mac Gains On Windows Part. 1

By : Gregg Keizer, Computerworld

Windows lost nearly a full percentage point of market share for the second month in a row in December, pushing Microsoft Corp.'s operating system to a new low, an Internet measurement company reported yesterday.

Meanwhile, Apple Inc. 's Mac OS X posted a record gain that brought it close to a 10% share for the first time since Net Applications Inc. began tracking operating system use.


In December, 88.7% of the people who browsed the Web sites that Net Applications monitors did so using machines powered by Windows, a 0.94 percentage point drop from November. The slide was Windows' largest in the four years that Net Applications has collected operating system data, and the second record-setting monthly loss in a row for Microsoft's software.

During November, Windows' market share slipped 0.84 percentage point, dropping the operating system under 90% for the first time since Net Applications has been tracking OS use.

The combined decline of November and December totaled 1.8 percentage points, Windows' biggest two-month dip ever, nearly double that of its previous record, a 0.92 percentage point fall in December 2007 and January 2008.

Microsoft's OS ended the year down 3.1 percentage points, a 3.4% drop in its share from the same time last year.

Apple's Mac OS X's market share continued to grow at Windows' expense. For the second month in a row, Mac OS X posted a record increase, growing by 0.76 of a percentage point to end the month at 9.6%. December was the first time that Net Applications had pegged Apple's operating system above the 9% mark.

And just as Windows set a record for a two-month drop, Mac OS X set a record for a two-month increase during November and December. Those months' combined gain of 1.4 percentage points was substantially larger than the earlier record, a 0.9 percentage point boost the operating system received in September-October 2006, and almost double the 0.73 percentage point increase of November-December 2007.

Source : http://www.pcworld.com/

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Visits to the laboratory F-Secure in the Streets

The view from close analysis of the virus
On 10 July 2008 and CHIP opportunity to see FSecure laboratory in Kuala Lumpur. What is there? Seoul following. Andi Desmal
Before entering the laboratory area, it Heinonen, Vice President FSecure for Asia Pasiik, provide a brief explanation about FSecure have 20 years to handle the virus in the world. Currently, FSecure already has 15 offices in 15 countries and three laboratories in the world. In addition, in Malaysia, two other laboratories in the United States and Finland. According to it, until now, the focus FSecure still analyzing the virus and various other gadfly to the end user because the virus type is the most Internet users in the world.
There are many things that have been done FSecure security services to the Internet in the next 20 years. Even since 2000, FSecure not only to focus on handling the virus only a PC, but also in the mobile phone virus.
Laboratory
In the laboratory security FSecure this, FSecure monitor the development of the virus in the world. In the activities, not less than 70,000 examples of the virus viruses into the lab. Around 2,000 species can be directly detected. For other types, FSecure will analyze further. The results of this analysis will be out in the form of updates in the seven to nine days. Watched the development of this virus by FSecure through various ways, such as user reports FSecure own that send virus samples, special radar, Google maps, and the International beritaberita discuss Internet security issues. According to Wing Fei Chia, Security Response Team Manager FSecure Security Labs, the creator of the virus at this time to focus more money. Viruses are expected to steal the data of various important information from users of the Internet. These data will be used to dredge sebanyakbanyaknya money from the victims. " Targettarget the virus of course, from individuals, organizations, governments, to a social networking service users. Therefore, analysts and antivirus always work the maximum to prevent widespread virus.
In laboratory security FC this, the staff FSecure also observe the development of viruses for mobile phones. Smartphones become the target of frequent diincar by the virus because it has a system in operation. To examine this mobile phone virus, FSecure utilize a special room, which also is in the laboratory. In this space, the security level of a handheld communication device can be analyzed. The researchers mengotakatik free of the virus in this space without having to worry that the virus will contaminate other ponselponsel outside the special room. CHIP also see some of the phone when tested in the room. Some mobile phone began to open. The phone has not had a virus protector will be contaminated with the virus when switched bluetooth facilities. According to Chia Wing Fei, the development of features in the communication devices that encourage the virus tries to log into the device. Moreover, now there are no restrictions in the mobile phone. Phone not only can be used for communication only. Users can now be used for various activities, ranging from games to financial transactions in the bank.

Source: Ed Chip Magazine. 08/2008

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