Computer Gripes

COMPUTER GRIPES ....about hardware, software, Websites, errors, bugs, poor documentation, stupidity, and whatever."

Microsoft's Sort-of Anti-Spyware

As recently as a few weeks ago, Microsoft's anti-spyware program flagged and removed Claria's nastyware ("Gator").

Now Microsoft and Claria are negotiating a buyout. An updated version of the Microsoft program has been released, and its new default settings include ignoring Claria's products.

Once again Microsoft shows its willingness to leap over the customers' corpses to get to a pile of money.

One company, controlling everything, just isn't good for users (or as MS sees us, "revenue centers")

Source: Microsoft Spyware Detector Is No Longer A Spyware Detector

Another Time Waster

ERROR GENERATOR. For a pure time-waster, generate whatever ridiculous error messages your creative mind can produce. You might even be able to do better than some of those Windows comes up with.

Directory Assistance for "555" Phone Numbers

To avoid possible legal problems from using a real phone number, screenwriters use "555" numbers. The 555 extension is never used for "real" phone numbers. So who does get those numbers?

Clean your PC

Every PC needs a bath occasionally. Computers collect dust and grime just like anything else.
• Compressed air in a can is one of the most useful tools you can have for performing this necessary task. By using the included straw, you can finely direct the air into places where it is most needed.
• You can also use compressed air from an air compressor.
  There are two important items when using an air compressor:
  • keep the air pressure way down (5-10 PSI is plenty)
  • Make sure the air is clean - blast air from the nozzle at a white cloth, then examine the cloth. It this test shows your compressed air to be dirty or oily, don't use that compressor.
• Clean your keyboard by turning it topside partially down over a trash can or some other place where dust can fall, and then blow it out with the compressed air. Ensure that you get in between the keys because a lot of stuff (especially food) falls in between the keys
• Remove the computer case's cover and blow out the guts. Make sure you don't blow the air right onto your PC's innards up close. Give a little bit of distance between the computer and the end of the straw.
• Note: when using compressed air to dust off fan blades, it is important that you stop the fan blades from moving before doing so. To do this, stick a folded piece of paper or some other small item in between the fan blades BEFORE using the compressed air. This will keep the fan from spinning under the pressure. Failing to do this, one risks spinning the fan so fast that the force on the fan blades will literally bust it to pieces. Yes, compressed air CAN move the blades that fast.
• Another note: Canned air gets cold very fast. That cold air won't hurt your computer, even if it lays some frost on the sprayed areas. Holding on to the can gets interesting (think: frostbite)
• And another note: while you can clean the keyboard using the diskwasher, resist the temptation to put the whole computer for cycle.

Some of these tips were heisted from PC Mechanic.

I was was not kidding about the keyboard in the dishwasher. Back when keyboards (and old-style terminals were very expensive, this was a standard procedure for the brash and brave technicians. Nowadays keyboards are so cheap that people rarely bother. Anyway, this is not for the faint of heart, and especially not for keyboards built into laptop computers.

Perpetual Calendar

On which day of the week was Kennedy shot? Were you really born on Saturday?

Now you can find out for sure.

The specified calendars are for use in the Gregorian Calendar System only. Not all countries in the world accepted the Gregorian Calendar on the same date. Some continued to use the Julian Calendar System until the early 1900's. [ I didn't know that! ]

Note: these calendars will not help correct errors in family Bibles.... if you get my drift....