Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.3, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Bruceb Consulting IT Solutions for Small Business ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://www.bruceb.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [RIP Cormac McCarthy](https://www.bruceb.com/2023/06/rip-cormac-mccarthy/) - “I had two dreams about him after he died. I dont remember the first one all that well but it was about meetin him in town somewheres and he give me some money and I think I lost it. But the second one it was like we was both back in older times and I - [The Renaissance Of The Physical](https://www.bruceb.com/2026/02/the-renaissance-of-the-physical/) - Physical items - books, vinyl LPs, photos on paper - give us a way to push back against digital fatigue. - [AI Pornography: Threat Or Menace?](https://www.bruceb.com/2026/01/ai-pornography-threat-or-menace/) - The adult industry has provided the incentive, the funding, and the technical proving ground for every leap in mass communication for 750 years. - [Goodbye Wintel, Hello Winsnap: The PC Industry’s New Power Couple](https://www.bruceb.com/2026/01/goodbye-wintel-hello-winsnap-the-pc-industrys-new-power-couple/) - The history of Intel's twenty-year collapse and the end of the Wintel alliance. Microsoft is swiping right on Snapdragon processors for Windows 11 laptops. - [Vive La Snapdragon Revolucion!](https://www.bruceb.com/2026/01/vive-la-snapdragon-revolucion/) - Laptops with Intel processors drove me to a Macbook Air. Windows on a Snapdragon processor brought me back. Instant start, long battery life, no heat. - [Days Of Future Passed: Bruceb Top Ten 2025](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/12/days-of-future-passed-bruceb-top-ten-2025/) - The Bruceb Top Ten playlist: music released in 2025, but with a haunted echo of the past - [Ace Doubles: Two Tales, One Spine](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/12/ace-doubles-two-tales-one-spine/) - Two tales, one spine - Ace Doubles transformed the economics of publishing, helped launch Philip Dick's career, and defined a generation of science fiction. - [Details Mattter: The Difference Between AI Hallucinations And Misinformation](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/11/details-mattter-the-difference-between-ai-hallucinations-and-misinformation/) - AI chatbots might hallucinate - create fabricated facts. But they might also be wrong because of incorrect or incomplete online web sources. - [Brown Stage Capitalism](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/11/brown-stage-capitalism/) - Cory Doctorow has written the best business book of the year, Enshittification, about how and why the major platforms are breaking down. - [AI & Society: Messy, Complicated, And Uneven](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/11/ai-society-messy-complicated-and-uneven/) - It's hard to be optimistic about AI because it is arriving quickly & it's inscrutable to almost all of us. The future might be utopia, dystopia, or both. - [AI & Society: Governance Alternatives](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/10/ai-society-governance-alternatives/) - In the absence of federal regulations, there are complex & contradictory alternate sources of governance from states, self-regulation, and global bodies. - [AI & Society: The Failure Of Federal Governance](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/10/ai-society-the-failure-of-federal-governance/) - Governance is critical for AI development. There will not be any federal regulation of AI in the US in the foreseeable future. - [AI & Society: The Case For Pessimism](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/10/ai-society-the-case-for-pessimism/) - AI is the worst thing that mankind has ever created and there’s a good chance that Skynet will be real, R.I.P. humanity. Or not. It’s complicated. - [AI & Society: The Case For Optimism](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/10/ai-society-the-case-for-optimism/) - Productivity! Streamlined workflows! New jobs that don’t exist yet! Enhanced quality of life! Massive increases in global GDP! AI will make everything great. - [AI's Impact On Society](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/09/ais-impact-on-society/) - The impact of AI on society and the labor market - optimistic, pessimistic, and nuanced scenarios about the changes ahead. - [Console Cowboys & Cyberspace: The Enduring Legacy Of Neuromancer](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/09/console-cowboys-cyberspace-the-enduring-legacy-of-neuromancer/) - Neuromancer is the single most influential SF novel since George Orwell’s 1984. - [NotebookLM: Newly Magical And Actually Useful](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/09/notebooklm-newly-magical-and-actually-useful/) - NotebookLM is a source-grounded AI research assistant from Google. It's the most interesting & useful consumer AI product currently available. - [Libby, Libraries, And The Shocking Cost Of Ebook Licenses](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/09/libby-libraries-and-the-shocking-cost-of-ebook-licenses/) - Public libraries lend ebooks and audiobooks with the Libby app. But libraries are under pressure from predatory license pricing and federal funding cuts. - [Emus And Piracy: The Story Behind The Lord Of The Rings](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/08/emus-and-piracy-the-story-behind-the-lord-of-the-rings/) - The Lord Of The Rings phenomenon began with a baffling cover, a legal loophole, pirated paperbacks, and Tolkien's indignant protests. - [More Than Half Of All Internet Traffic Is Not Human](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/08/more-than-half-of-all-internet-traffic-is-not-human/) - Only one in five website visitors is a real human. Two-thirds of all bot activity comes from "bad bots" designed for fraud, theft, and disruption. - [AI And The Future Of The Internet](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/08/ai-and-the-future-of-the-internet/) - The advertising business model for the internet is collapsing. A new business model will emerge offering highly curated AIs. - [Your TV Is Spying On You](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/07/your-tv-is-spying-on-you/) - Your TV is running surveillance technology and continuously sending data about what you watch to the TV manufacturer. - [The Secret Life Of Smart TVs: Inside Badbox 2.0](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/07/the-secret-life-of-smart-tvs-inside-badbox-2-0/) - Google and the FBI took down Badbox 2.0 last month - ten million compromised TV streaming boxes being used by criminals. - [Perplexity: From Searches To Answers](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/07/perplexity-from-searches-to-answers/) - Perplexity is an AI powered answer engine that searches the internet in real time and incorporates the latest information into its answers. - [The Edge Of Annoyance: Microsoft Hijacks Outlook Links](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/07/the-edge-of-annoyance-microsoft-hijacks-outlook-links/) - Microsoft pushed an update that changes the default in Outlook to open web links in Edge - another example of good intentions turned into hostage situations. - [How Philip K Dick's Estate Found A Loophole In A Shoebox](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/07/philip-k-dick-how-to-get-signatures-from-dead-authors/) - Signed books by Philip Dick were released years after he died. The signatures had to come from somewhere. Here are various ways publishers have handed that. - [Xreal One & The Future Of AR Glasses](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/06/xreal-one-the-future-of-ar-glasses/) - Xreal One Pro glasses are a big step forward - what appears to be an IMAX-size screen seen through slightly bulky sunglasses. - [Decoding AI Hysteria: Hallucinations, Laziness, & Corruption](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/06/decoding-ai-hysteria-hallucinations-laziness-corruption/) - Be skeptical about reports of AI flaws - but always check your results. Blame for bad AI results should frequently rest with people, not technology. - [Jolly Tales & Funny Pictures By Mark Twain](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/06/jolly-tales-funny-pictures-by-mark-twain/) - Slovenly Peter was the best-known children's book in the world in the 1800s. Here's the story of Little Suck-A-Thumb and Chubby Augustus. - [AI And The Gabbling Foreigner Illusion](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/06/ai-and-the-gabbling-foreigner-illusion/) - People seem to speak too fast when you’re learning a foreign language, and they speak too fast for AI to keep up with translation. - [AI Slop And The Enshittification Of Everything](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/05/ai-slop-and-the-enshittification-of-everything/) - Low-quality AI-generated slop is flooding online platforms and crowding out genuine humans. - [Zero Click Searches & Google AI Mode](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/05/zero-click-searches-google-ai-mode/) - AI is taking over online searches. At the moment, that’s good news - the AI summaries are increasingly reliable and helpful. Try Google's new AI Mode! - [From Waistline to Wallet: Weight Loss Drugs Will Slim Down Impulse Spending](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/04/from-waistline-to-wallet-weight-loss-drugs-will-slim-down-impulse-spending/) - Weight loss drugs effectively regulate impulse control and the effects go beyond snack food. What's coming has been called a “$100 trillion dollar disruption." - [A Trip Down The Rabbit Hole: Notes On Collecting Lewis Carroll](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/04/a-trip-down-the-rabbit-hole-notes-on-collecting-lewis-carroll/) - Here are some notes to help understand the mentality of book collectors, and some notes about my Lewis Carroll collection. - [The History Of The Snark: Notes On Lewis Carroll](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/04/the-history-of-the-snark-notes-on-lewis-carroll/) - On July 18, 1874, a sentence popped into Lewis Carroll's head: “For the Snark was a Boojum, you see.” That thought led to a great work of English literature. - [Legal Research? There’s An Algorithm For That](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/03/legal-research-theres-an-algorithm-for-that/) - Artificial intelligence is going to reshape the legal industry again, for the first time. AI is poised to disrupt the legal profession. - [The Unseen Battlefield: Gazing Into The Cybersecurity Abyss](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/03/the-unseen-battlefield-gazing-into-the-cybersecurity-abyss/) - There have been credible reports of a shift in US policy – a stand-down in both offensive and defensive preparations against Russian cyberattacks. - [21st-Century Picks and Shovels: Microsoft's AI Strategy for Businesses](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/03/ai-will-make-microsoft-rich/) - Microsoft provides fundamental IT services - 21st century picks and shovels - to virtually every company on earth. AI will add to its dominance in enterprises. - [AI Will Know Who You Are (And That’s A Good Thing)](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/02/ai-will-know-who-you-are-and-thats-a-good-thing/) - AI will transform searches for employees in large companies. - [AI Advances Are Exciting! Also Unintelligible!](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/02/ai-advances-are-exciting-also-unintelligible/) - Psychologists use various terms to describe disorganized speech. “Word salad” – words and concepts so disconnected that there is no logical thread. “Neologisms” – made up words that have no literal meaning. “Loose association” – associations that are irrelevant or out of context. I’m going to briefly describe some of the AI updates from the - [DeepSeek And The Business Of AI](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/02/deepseek-and-the-business-of-ai/) - AI news is chaotic & overwhelming. Here's the simplified story of why DeepSeek caused the stock market to swoon. - [The Return Of Bruceb News](https://www.bruceb.com/2025/01/the-return-of-bruceb-news/) - News about AI, snarky jokes about Microsoft, obsessive coverage of AR & VR, and tech explanations for non-tech people - subscribe today. - [“Optimize Enjoyment”: Remembering Jim Rowson](https://www.bruceb.com/2024/12/optimize-enjoyment-remembering-jim-rowson/) - Jim Rowson passed away peacefully at home on December 26. His children were by his side. Jim was a visionary software engineer & one of the world's best people. - [The Rise And Fall Of Browser Home Pages](https://www.bruceb.com/2024/12/the-rise-and-fall-of-browser-home-pages/) - Remember browser home pages? You do? I wouldn’t have guessed, you must be older than you look. All the rest of you children, gather round the fire, let me take you back to a simpler time when we still said “World Wide Web” and you could hear the capital letters. In the early days of - [Seeing The World Through Rose-Colored Glasses (Literally)](https://www.bruceb.com/2024/11/seeing-the-world-through-rose-colored-glasses-literally/) - These two photos look identical to me. What I see looks like the photo on the right. I have mild deuteranomaly – red-green colorblindness. Eight percent of men are red-green colorblind. (Almost no women. It’s a genetic thing.) It’s hard to describe, because my world has a full spectrum of colors – “colorblind” does not - [Your Apartment, But Make It Game Of Thrones](https://www.bruceb.com/2024/10/your-apartment-but-make-it-game-of-thrones/) - Some demos were posted this week that make it easier to picture how technology can change reality. The picture above shows a laptop in a perfectly normal apartment with a Game of Thrones augmented reality overlay. Stick with me and I’ll explain enough for you to know what that means, and maybe you’ll scroll back up - [Mixed Reality Goes Mainstream – Meta Quest 3 And Alien Puffballs](https://www.bruceb.com/2024/10/mixed-reality-goes-mainstream-meta-quest-3-and-alien-puffballs/) - An alien spaceship has blasted a hole in my ceiling and is landing on the floor in front of my bookcases. It’s a game on the Meta Quest 3 headset named “First Encounters.” My office is fully visible through the passthrough cameras. In the picture above, you can see a giant moon hanging in the - [AI Glasses Might Invade Privacy (But That’s Old News)](https://www.bruceb.com/2024/10/ai-glasses-might-invade-privacy-but-thats-old-news/) - Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have cameras in the frames. You can take pictures and shoot videos, then upload them. It’s a fast and convenient way to record a moment without pulling out your phone. You can post the images to Facebook or Instagram, or ask AI questions about them. Last week two Harvard students got viral coverage of - [Google NotebookLM & AI Podcasts](https://www.bruceb.com/2024/10/google-notebooklm-ai-podcasts/) - Take a minute – literally just one minute – and listen to the beginning of one of these podcast conversations about recent books. Each is about ten minutes long but just listen to the first minute of one of them to get the idea. I’ll wait. Veilpiercer by Bruce Berls (Amazon) The Avatar Murders by Jim Rowson (Amazon) Wild - [Digital Sorcery In A Swiss Museum](https://www.bruceb.com/2024/09/digital-sorcery-in-a-swiss-museum/) - The first exhibit in the Swiss National Museum in Zurich has historical books in glass cases, a granite relief map of the Saint-Gotthard mountain range in the Swiss Alps, and four large books on pedestals with a light shining down on each. There is magical augmented reality technology in that room. We’re becoming accustomed to - [What Has AI Done For You Lately?](https://www.bruceb.com/2024/08/what-has-ai-done-for-you-lately/) - AI is improving apps and services that we use every day, but that’s not the whole story. There are more important developments powered by AI going on now behind the scenes. I’ve got two examples for you – weather forecasting and virus research – but it will make more sense if you know a little bit - [Schrodinger’s AI: It’s A Bubble And Not A Bubble](https://www.bruceb.com/2024/08/schrodingers-ai-its-a-bubble-and-not-a-bubble/) - AI arrived so quickly! You can be forgiven for not knowing how to interpret what’s going on in the tech industry. In 2024, AI combines massive investments with unrealistic hype. It appears to be a bubble with no practical applications, like pet rocks, Tamagotchis, and cryptocurrency. At exactly the same time, AI is improving your life - [The Windows Laptop Mess](https://www.bruceb.com/2024/08/the-windows-laptop-mess/) - The Windows laptop market is in disarray. There are some good reasons to wait a year before buying a new computer. (Or buy a Mac. They’re pretty magical.) Your next PC might be one of the latest Windows laptops with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, which feature vastly improved battery life. They’re marketed as “AI PCs” but you should - [The Scariest Cyber Security Story Of 2024](https://www.bruceb.com/2024/07/the-scariest-cyber-security-story-of-2024/) - I’ve got a scary story about technology for you. Nope, not the Crowdstrike meltdown. Here’s one you might have missed. China has hacked into our power grid. The NSA, FBI, and CISA (“Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency”) went public a year ago with details about Volt Typhoon, a Chinese effort to plant malware in power grids, - [Smart Glasses Get Smarter](https://www.bruceb.com/2024/07/smart-glasses-get-smarter/) - It’s the middle of 2024 and our world is all AI, all the time. AI dominates tech news and the financial world. Giant companies are spending unbelievable amounts of money to improve AI technology and bulk up their server capacity. Nvidia – the company that makes the chips best suited to running AI – is - [AI Hype In Overdrive](https://www.bruceb.com/2024/06/ai-hype-in-overdrive/) - There was a full-page ad in the New York Times on Friday for the new Samsung “Bespoke AI” washer/dryer combo. Seriously. Of course “AI laundry” is marketing crap. I’ll bet some business advertised “Crypto Ovens” a couple of years ago. It’s meaningless and stupid. AI hysteria is on the rise. This is still the early stages. There - [AI And The Future Of AR Glasses](https://www.bruceb.com/2024/05/ai-and-the-future-of-ar-glasses/) - Atech revolution brings changes to the world that are unpredictable. Our first exposure to AI has been chatbots. Very clever chatbots! They’re getting better all the time at conversing as if they’re human. They rewrite emails and summarize subjects and write computer code. Those are impressive tricks but I get it, you’re not convinced yet that - [AI’s Acceleration To Warp Speed](https://www.bruceb.com/2024/05/ais-acceleration-to-warp-speed/) - AI is going to change things that you use every day. The changes will be profound, perhaps more fundamentally important than the internet or the computer or the iPhone. The speed at which things change will be faster than anything you’ve ever lived through before. You don’t believe me. That’s okay, I’m used to that. - [A Microsoft Engineer Saved The World](https://www.bruceb.com/2024/04/a-microsoft-engineer-saved-the-world/) - On Friday, March 29, Microsoft engineer Andres Freund saved the world. He found malware shortly before it was due to be distributed to the vast majority of the world’s servers, including those used by banks, hospitals, governments and Fortune 500 companies. The bit about saving the world – that’s not hyperbole. An attack was foiled - [The (Virtual) Shape Of Things To Come](https://www.bruceb.com/2024/03/the-virtual-shape-of-things-to-come/) - Meta is taking us forward to a world where augmented reality glasses are well understood and useful. “You’re crazy!” I hear you say. “Meta has moved on. Mark Zuckerberg looked foolish when he talked about the ‘metaverse.’ He claimed he was investing in the long-term future of AR but all he did was throw billions - [Living La VR Loca](https://www.bruceb.com/2024/02/living-la-vr-loca/) - Apple began delivering Vision Pro headsets to reviewers and customers last week. By all accounts, they’re quite nice VR devices. Oops! Apple doesn’t want Vision Pro to be called a “virtual reality” device. It’s trying to kickstart a new market and leave old baggage behind. Many people have already made up their minds: “VR” equals - [The Unpredictable Future of Augmented Reality](https://www.bruceb.com/2023/11/the-unpredictable-future-of-augmented-reality/) - Tim Cook and Mark Zuckerberg believe that someday you will pick up your augmented reality glasses exactly as often as you pick up your phone today – which is to say, from the moment you wake up until you go to sleep, all day, every day, for a thousand reasons. You’ll use the glasses for - [Bruceb News Is Being Upgraded](https://www.bruceb.com/2023/11/bruceb-news-is-being-upgraded/) - Bruceb News is going to be reborn as a newsletter from Arrgle.com. - [Meta Quest 3: Great VR Device But Where’s The Excitement?](https://www.bruceb.com/2023/10/meta-quest-3-great-vr-device-but-wheres-the-excitement/) - Meta Quest 3 is a great device at an affordable price. It should tip the scales for anyone curious about VR. Where's the marketing dept to create excitement? - [Augmented Reality: The State Of The Art In 2023](https://www.bruceb.com/2023/09/augmented-reality-the-state-of-the-art-in-2023/) - AR glasses can display a huge screen hanging in front of you. It's the state of the art for augmented reality in 2023. There's good news & bad news about that. - [Augmented Reality Glasses: A Short Step Down A Long Road](https://www.bruceb.com/2023/08/augmented-reality-glasses-a-short-step-down-a-long-road/) - You can buy AR glasses today that show you a huge screen hanging in the air a few feet in front of you. It's not quite augmented reality but it's pretty great. - [The Future Of Virtual Reality Is So Bright You Need Shades](https://www.bruceb.com/2023/08/the-future-of-virtual-reality-is-so-bright-you-need-shades/) - VR is about to have its moment in the sun - new devices & new games at a time when Apple has made the world more aware of and curious about virtual reality. - [More Missing Pieces From Apple’s Vision Pro Presentation](https://www.bruceb.com/2023/06/more-missing-pieces-from-apples-vision-pro-presentation/) - Two very different approaches: Apple Vision Pro is missing shared experiences & physical activity, which are defining characteristics of Meta Quest VR devices. - [What’s Missing From The Apple Vision Pro Headset](https://www.bruceb.com/2023/06/whats-missing-from-the-apple-vision-pro-headset/) - Apple Vision Pro is an extraordinary technical achievement. But a few things were missing from Apple's presentation, like devices, customers, VR, and AR. - [Ray Bradbury And Dark Carnival](https://www.bruceb.com/2023/04/ray-bradbury-and-dark-carnival/) - The best time to read Ray Bradbury stories is when you are 13 years old. The second best time is right now. Here's the story of his first (and rarest) book. - [Privacy Is Impossible In The Metaverse (And Everywhere Else)](https://www.bruceb.com/2023/03/privacy-is-impossible-in-the-metaverse-and-everywhere-else/) - A new study proves VR users can be uniquely identified by their head and hand movements. Interesting but not surprising - there are many ways to identify us. - [What’s Next For ChatGPT And The World?](https://www.bruceb.com/2023/02/whats-next-for-chatgpt-and-the-world/) - Unlike bitcoin, ChatGPT is the real deal, tech that will change the world. What's next? Whose jobs will be disrupted? Here's what you need to know. - [ChatGPT Is The Elephant In The Room](https://www.bruceb.com/2023/02/chatgpt-is-the-elephant-in-the-room/) - There are thousands of conflicting opinions about ChatGPT. Here's perspective to help you see the big picture. What is ChatGPT? Will it change the world? - [Why Mark Zuckerberg Dreams About Roblox](https://www.bruceb.com/2023/01/why-mark-zuckerberg-dreams-about-roblox/) - Over half of all US kids and teenagers under the age of 16 play Roblox every month. If you understand Roblox, then you'll know what Zuckerberg wants for Meta. - [Mark Zuckerberg Is Right About The Metaverse](https://www.bruceb.com/2023/01/mark-zuckerberg-is-right-about-the-metaverse/) - Mark Zuckerberg is swinging for the fences. His bet may fail. But he’s doing the right thing – and he could succeed if he gets enough time. - [It's Time To Leave LastPass](https://www.bruceb.com/2023/01/its-time-to-leave-lastpass/) - Damn it, LastPass, we counted on you and now the bad guys have our stuff! Enough is enough. Here's the complete story of how LastPass lost our trust. - [My Top Ten List Is Not The Same As Your Top Ten List](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/12/my-top-ten-list-is-not-the-same-as-your-top-ten-list/) - You’ve never heard any of my top songs from 2022. With one or two exceptions, you’ve never heard of any of the artists. That’s okay. It’s a world of niches. - [Google Is Laying The Foundation For An Augmented Reality Future](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/12/google-is-laying-the-foundation-for-augmented-reality/) - Google built its empire on searches that start with words typed in a box. Now it’s preparing us for a future of searching what you see using Google Lens. - [The Meta Quest Pro Is Oh So Expensive But Wonderful](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/11/the-meta-quest-pro-is-oh-so-expensive-but-wonderful/) - Here's some context to help understand the Quest Pro's startling $1,499 price tag. I find it delightful; your mileage might vary. I'll tell you what to expect. - [The Next Generation Of Virtual Reality](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/11/the-next-generation-of-virtual-reality/) - The Oculus Quest Pro is the first of a new generation of VR headsets - some affordable, all with improved specs, plus new games & apps. Here's what to expect. - [Virtual Reality And The Input Problem](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/10/virtual-reality-and-the-input-problem/) - One of the fundamental problems for VR/AR is how to give commands to the systems. It's just as difficult as the high tech problems with lenses & batteries. - [A Singular Road To Augmented Reality](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/10/a-singular-road-to-augmented-reality/) - Augmented reality glasses will replace your mobile phone. The AR revolution is going to start with single purpose AR glasses. Here are three examples. - [Security Tip: Don’t Reuse Passwords!](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/09/security-tip-dont-reuse-passwords/) - The most important thing you can do to protect yourself today is to use a different password for each account. No excuses, no exceptions. - [Happy 25th Anniversary To Bruceb.com And Bruceb News!](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/09/happy-25th-anniversary-to-bruceb-com-and-bruceb-news/) - On September 11, 1997, I registered the domain name “bruceb.com" - four days before the name google.com was registered. I am inordinately proud of that. - [Suntup And The Art Of Fine Press Books](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/09/suntup-and-the-art-of-fine-press-books/) - Suntup Editions produces some of the most interesting books in the world - books of exceptional intrinsic quality and artistry. You might be tempted to buy one! - [Virtual Reality Has No Future And It’s Mark Zuckerberg’s Fault](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/08/virtual-reality-has-no-future-and-its-mark-zuckerbergs-fault/) - Meta/Facebook has done its best to take over VR in the public's eye. Look at that terrible picture! Mark Zuckerberg is a terrible steward of the future of VR. - [Google Will Try To Avoid The AR Privacy Trap](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/07/google-will-try-to-avoid-the-ar-privacy-trap/) - Google is going to begin tests of its AR glasses in the outside world. The prototypes will not collect any personal info & will not take photos or video. - [Uncommon Scents Is A Near-Future SF Novel By Brilliant Young Authors](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/07/uncommon-scents-is-a-near-future-sf-novel-by-brilliant-young-authors/) - Uncommon Scents is a novel by – why, it’s by me! And by Jim Rowson, a former Google software engineer. You can read it online at www.arrgle.com. - [Mojo Vision Shows World’s First AR Smart Contact Lens](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/07/mojo-vision-shows-worlds-first-ar-smart-contact-lens/) - The CEO of Mojo Vision wore a feature-complete augmented reality smart contact lens at the company’s labs three weeks ago. This is not science fiction! - [DOPPA Is The Imaginary Law That Can Restore Our Privacy](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/06/doppa-is-the-imaginary-law-that-can-restore-our-privacy/) - The fight for privacy is just about over, and so far we’ve lost. Here's a modest proposal for a new law to stop digital surveillance and restore privacy. - [Will Augmented Reality Push Us Over A Privacy Cliff?](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/06/will-augmented-reality-push-us-over-a-privacy-cliff/) - Augmented reality glasses could invade your privacy just as your phone does, plus new ways that remove any remaining vestige of personal privacy. - [Privacy Is The Plutonium Of Augmented Reality](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/06/privacy-is-the-plutonium-of-augmented-reality/) - Augmented reality will fail unless it comes with augmented privacy. Recent lawsuits about facial recognition are reminders that we need to rethink privacy rules. - [Meet The New Outlook, Not The Same As The Old Outlook](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/05/meet-the-new-outlook-not-the-same-as-the-old-outlook/) - If you see news coverage of a "new Outlook for Windows," you might think Microsoft is working on a new Outlook for Windows. Not really. Here's what's going on. - [Google Shows The Promise Of Augmented Reality](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/05/google-shows-the-promise-of-augmented-reality/) - Google demonstrated an augmented reality product last week that may never exist - but it's an awesome way to understand why AR might change the world. - [Collecting Cormac, And Why The Passenger Might Be Your Favorite Book](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/05/collecting-cormac-and-why-the-passenger-might-be-your-favorite-book/) - Some notes about the Suntup Press Blood Meridian and other collectible Cormac McCarthy books - and exciting news about a forthcoming pair of new novels. - [A Legion Of Horribles](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/04/a-legion-of-horribles/) - Here's the power and the glory of an excerpt from Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian, one of the greatest American novels of all time. - [Amazon Doesn’t Want To Miss The Augmented Future](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/04/amazon-doesnt-want-to-miss-the-augmented-future/) - Amazon is quietly doing its own research into augmented reality glasses and apps. - [Niantic Redefines The Metaverse](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/04/niantic-redefines-the-metaverse/) - Niantic CEO John Hanke says the metaverse would be a “dystopian nightmare” in virtual reality. Here's why Niantic is completely focused on augmented reality. - [What Happens Next In The Russia-Ukraine Cyberwar](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/03/what-happens-next-in-the-russia-ukraine-cyberwar/) - The bad news is that the Russia/Ukraine cyberwar may get worse and could spread to the rest of the world. The good news is that it may make the world safer. - [Why Are The Lights On In Ukraine?](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/03/why-are-the-lights-on-in-ukraine/) - Security experts expected Russia to start its assault on Ukraine with a massive cyberattack. Instead the cyberwar has been low-key. Here's the explanation. - [Nothing Is Technology. Everything Is Technology.](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/03/nothing-is-technology-everything-is-technology/) - Our relationship to computers & phones has changed - they're just tools. Google & Facebook are ad companies, Amazon is a store. Does it help to call it "tech"? - [Google Wants To Play With The Other Augmented Kids](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/02/google-wants-to-play-with-the-other-augmented-kids/) - Recently Google started to drop hints about its plans to be part of the augmented reality revolution - if such a thing ever happens. - [Stephen King And A Gentle Madness](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/02/stephen-king-and-a-gentle-madness/) - Book collecting is a gentle madness. Here's a story about why I have a check that Stephen King signed using the name of a deceased author. - [Augmented Reality – The Long Road](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/01/augmented-reality-the-long-road/) - Augmented reality is going to be a big deal. Here’s the way the next few years will go as we make our thousand mile journey to an augmented world. - [Augmented Reality – The Big Picture](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/01/augmented-reality-the-big-picture/) - Augmented reality is going to be a Really Big Deal, but not for many years. Here's what to expect from virtual reality & augmented reality in 2022. - [The Mystery Of The Missing Password](https://www.bruceb.com/2022/01/the-mystery-of-the-missing-password/) - When you try to log into a Windows PC, you may be missing the option to type in a password. Here's the new setting that is responsible, plus an explanation. - [New Music For Old Boomers, 2021 Edition](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/12/new-music-for-old-boomers-2021-edition/) - A special slightly-less-weird-than-usual collection of inoffensive dad rock, suitable for all ages, performed by people playing real instruments. - [An Obnoxious Rich Guy Exercises His Constitutional Rights](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/12/an-obnoxious-rich-guy-exercises-his-constitutional-rights/) - Ken Griffin bought the Constitution. Here's a heartwarming story of obscene wealth, a massive ego, and a quest for revenge against the mob that hates him. - [How An Internet Mob Almost Bought The US Constitution](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/12/how-an-internet-mob-almost-bought-the-us-constitution/) - The failed attempt by an Internet mob to buy the US Constitution might be my favorite story of the year. It's got revenge, crypto weirdness, and Nicolas Cage. - [The Sweet Success Of SMelL](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/11/the-sweet-success-of-smell/) - A preview of the best book you've never read, plus some thoughts about why technology is boring. - [Should You Upgrade To Windows 11?](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/11/should-you-upgrade-to-windows-11/) - If your computer prompts you to upgrade to Windows 11, it's actually a personality test. Here's how to decide what kind of person you are. - [Facebook Goes Meta](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/10/facebook-goes-meta/) - Facebook changed its name to Meta - a distraction from its problems, sure, but let's talk about what it means to simply take Mark Zuckerberg seriously. - [Privacy And Your Phone: More Power, Less Cloud](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/10/privacy-and-your-phone-more-power-less-cloud/) - The more powerful your phone gets, the more privacy you have. Strange but true! Google & Apple are keeping more of your data on the phone and out of the cloud. - [The Most Exciting New Phone Of 2021 (Plus Google’s Pixel 6)](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/10/the-most-exciting-new-phone-of-2021-plus-googles-pixel-6/) - Google's new Pixel 6 phones stand out from the crowd of tech announcements this week - although the working Fisher Price phone replica is more adorable. - [There's More To Augmented Reality Than Meets The Eye](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/10/theres-more-to-augmented-reality-than-meets-the-eye/) - Augmented reality glasses are one of the most difficult computer science problems ever - and every big tech company is working on them. - [Prepare To Be Disrupted](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/10/prepare-to-be-disrupted/) - The supply chain is falling apart. What’s unfolding right now leaves me gasping a bit at just how damn weird things are. Here's what you need to know. - [Bing Sucks At Searches](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/09/bing-sucks-at-searches/) - Microsoft keeps pushing Edge and Bing even though Bing is terrible at searches. You know how I know that? Because I have an anecdote to prove it. - [All Roads Lead To Philosophy In Wikipedia](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/09/all-roads-lead-to-philosophy-in-wikipedia/) - Click the 1st link in a Wikipedia article, then the 1st link in the next one. Eventually you'll get to Philosophy. It doesn't matter where you start. Weird, eh? - [Start: The Microsoft Intervention Continues](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/09/start-the-microsoft-intervention-continues/) - You've chosen the name "Start" for the news feed in Windows 10 & 11. I have a vague memory that you've used the word "Start" before - and that's a problem. - [A Default Intervention For Microsoft](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/09/a-default-intervention-for-microsoft/) - Although Windows 11 is mostly swell, Microsoft has made some changes that are deliberately designed to confuse us and make PCs frustrating. - [Breaking News: Apple Postpones, Microsoft Accelerates, Google & Facebook Play Defense](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/09/breaking-news-apple-postpones-microsoft-accelerates-google-facebook-play-defense/) - Updates on Apple's postponement of CSAM scanning, Microsoft's aggressive Windows 11 release date, & the latest on Google & Facebook antitrust lawsuits - [Is Your Computer Slowing Down?](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/08/is-your-computer-slowing-down/) - I think our PCs are slowing down. Have you noticed? It takes longer to log in, Chrome crawls, updates are slow. Here are some thoughts on what's going on. - [The Controversy Over Apple’s Child Security Proposals](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/08/the-controversy-over-apples-child-security-proposals/) - Apple’s child safety proposals were unexpected and controversial. Here's an overview of the criticism and speculation about why Apple acted now. - [Apple’s Unforced Error](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/08/apples-unforced-error/) - Two weeks ago Apple announced that iPhones would begin scanning for photos involving sexual abuse of children. Here's an explanation of the outcry about it. - [Tech Companies Are Too Big (And They’ll Probably Stay That Way)](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/08/tech-companies-are-too-big-and-theyll-probably-stay-that-way/) - The giant tech companies are dominant in a special way that makes it impossible to dislodge them. Remedies being considered would make our daily lives worse. - [Hey, Google, Do I Feel Lucky? Well, Do I, Punk?](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/08/hey-google-do-i-feel-lucky-well-do-i-punk/) - The I’m Feeling Lucky button has been on the Google home page since the beginning of time. It will take you interesting places. Here's how to get lucky. - [Practicing What I Preach: What It’s Like To Use Microsoft Web Apps](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/08/practicing-what-i-preach-what-its-like-to-use-microsoft-web-apps/) - I used Microsoft’s web apps for six months instead of the desktop versions of Outlook, Word and Excel. Here's the story of what that was like, with some tips. - [The Covid Vaccines Started With A Teddy Bear Stuffed With Money](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/07/the-covid-vaccines-started-with-a-teddy-bear-stuffed-with-money/) - The Covid vaccines rest on groundbreaking work and perseverence by biochemist Katalin Kariko - and they put us at the threshold of a life-sciences revolution. - [Google Drive And Living La Vida En Línea](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/07/google-drive-and-living-la-vida-en-linea/) - Google has announced a new Google Drive app to let you browse online files in File Explorer and Mac Finder, like OneDrive and Dropbox. Here are the details. - [The Kaseya Hack And The Mysterious Disappearing REvil Gang](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/07/the-kaseya-hack-and-the-mysterious-disappearing-revil-gang/) - Russian hacking group REvil slipped ransomware into thousands of customers of network monitoring company Kaseya. Today REvil has disappeared. Here's the story. - [How To Buy A Cheap Windows PC](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/07/how-to-buy-a-cheap-windows-pc/) - Do not buy a slow Windows PC to save a few dollars. It will make you bitter and depressed. Here's all you need to know if you’re buying a cheap PC. - [Mudslides, Undersea Cables, And Fake News](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/07/mudslides-undersea-cables-and-fake-news/) - Thrilling tales of the longest mudslide in history, undersea cables that carry trillions of dollars every day, and the faked message that made history. - [Fascinating Details About Windows 11](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/06/fascinating-details-about-windows-11/) - Everything you need to know about Windows 11. Who will get it? When will it arrive? What's new? What's old? What's missing? Will anyone notice? - [Windows 11: The View From 11,000 Feet](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/06/windows-11-the-view-from-11000-feet/) - Microsoft will release Windows 11 later this year - an incremental upgrade to Windows 10 and a minor facelift. Here's some perspective on why it exists. - [Your Credit Card Was Not Used To Buy An Inflatable Motorcycle](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/06/your-credit-card-was-not-used-to-buy-an-inflatable-motorcycle/) - Someday soon your email will have a receipt for something you didn’t buy. Do not call the 800 number! The email receipt is a lie. - [Vaccine Passports And Made-Up Crap](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/06/vaccine-passports-and-made-up-crap/) - Most of the arguments against vaccine passports are just made-up crap. Here's a quick look at some real issues of inequality, privacy, & security. - [Memories Of A Giant Boulder](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/06/memories-of-a-giant-boulder/) - Raiders of the Lost Ark was released 40 years ago this week with no hype or promotion. Here's what it was like to see the preview and feel genuine movie magic. - [This Ain’t Our First Vaccine Certificate Rodeo](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/06/this-aint-our-first-vaccine-certificate-rodeo/) - Some lessons from history about the intersection between vaccinations and privacy, security, and inequality. - [Why Is A Vaccine Passport So Difficult?](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/06/why-is-a-vaccine-passport-so-difficult/) - Covid discriminates between vaccinated and unvaccinated people. It only makes unvaccinated people sick. Why is it so hard to reach agreement about that? - [The Three E’s Of Security](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/05/the-three-es-of-security/) - Education. Encouragement. Enforcement. Small business IT consultants should be building their businesses around security. - [The Evolution Of Computer Consulting](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/05/the-evolution-of-computer-consulting/) - The job of a small business IT consultant has been infrastructure - helping businesses buy stuff and set it up. It's obsolete. Here's a nostalgic look back. - [Colonial Pipeline And The Business Of Ransomware](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/05/colonial-pipelines-and-the-business-of-ransomware/) - Ransomware is being handled routinely by more companies than you realize. The only problem for the Colonial Pipeline hackers is that they were too successful. - [Why Isn’t “My List” The First Thing I See On Netflix?](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/05/why-isnt-my-list-the-first-thing-i-see-on-netflix/) - Netflix figured out that we assemble aspirational lists of movies, but we're lying to ourselves - we pick rom-coms & action films when the time comes to choose. - [Our Complicated Relationship With Outlook](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/05/our-complicated-relationship-with-outlook/) - Outlook is old, full of old broken bits and bolted-on new additions. We threaten to break up with it but we always open it the next day. It's complicated. - [Experian Knows Data Breaches, You Betcha!](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/05/experian-knows-data-breaches-you-betcha/) - The latest Experian failure is a perfect example of a company that has coasted without supervision for far too long and which does not take its job seriously. - [What If Facebook Leaked Your Data And No One Cared?](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/04/what-if-facebook-leaked-your-data-and-no-one-cared/) - Personal data turned up on the dark web for more than 500 million Facebook users and nobody seemed shocked. Here's why you should assume nothing is private. - [Cortana Daily Briefing & Schrodinger’s Cat](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/04/cortana-daily-briefing-schrodingers-cat/) - Cortana is the Schrodinger’s Cat of personal assistants: both alive and dead. The Daily Briefing is an AI-driven effort to find useful things in your mailbox. - [A Nuanced Trip Down Memory Lane](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/04/a-nuanced-trip-down-memory-lane/) - Microsoft is acquiring Nuance Communications for $20 billion. Nuance has an amazing history - it's much more than Dragon dictation software. - [Office Licenses Simplified And Made Fascinating](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/04/office-licenses-simplified-and-made-fascinating/) - If you don’t have a license, you can’t use the subscription Office programs. That's a new requirement. But the terms are generous for individuals & families. - [Microsoft 365 & Subscription Angst](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/04/microsoft-365-subscription-angst/) - To keep us on our toes, Microsoft has changed the name of Office 365 to Microsoft 365, and changed the way Office programs are licensed. - [The Best Cyber Story You’ve Never Heard](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/04/the-best-cyber-story-youve-never-heard/) - Here's the story of Crypto AG & the most effective spying operation in history, with a surprise twist that you won't see coming. - [Should You “Sign In With Facebook”?](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/03/should-you-sign-in-with-facebook/) - Every online service needs to know who you are. Here's the story of what it means to "Sign in with Facebook" or "Sign in with email." - [Chrome Gets Some Useful New Features](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/03/chrome-gets-some-useful-new-features/) - Google is adding two new features to Chrome that are useful and well-implemented: Tab Search for open tabs, and Reading List to clip articles for later. - [Security Tip: Turn On Office 365 Two Factor Authentication](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/03/security-tip-turn-on-office-365-two-factor-authentication/) - If you have an Office 365 mailbox, secure it with two-factor authentication. If you are the office admin for a small business, require all users to use 2FA. - [Internet Mobs: GameStop, The Trump Insurrection, And Boaty McBoatface](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/03/internet-mobs-gamestop-the-trump-insurrection-and-boaty-mcboatface/) - Internet mobs are becoming one of the defining stories of our society, sometimes for the lulz and chaos but too often having destructive real world effects. - [China Has Not Hacked Your Office 365 Mailbox](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/03/china-has-not-hacked-your-office-365-mailbox/) - The Exchange hack was started by the Chinese, then turned into a colossal cybersecurity catastrophe - but your Office 365 mailbox has NOT been hacked. - [Turn On Car Crash Detection If You Have A Pixel Phone](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/03/turn-on-car-crash-detection-if-you-have-a-pixel-phone/) - Newer Google Pixel phones have a Safety feature that detects car crashes and notifies emergency services. Turn it on if you have a Pixel phone! - [How To Display Shared OneDrive Folders in Windows File Explorer](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/02/how-to-display-shared-onedrive-folders-in-windows-file-explorer/) - Shared folders in OneDrive for Business can be displayed in File Explorer and browsed naturally. Here's all the info you need. - [Why I Chose 1Password To Replace LastPass](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/02/why-i-chose-1password-to-replace-lastpass/) - You don’t have to stop using LastPass. But if you do, here are tips about how to choose a replacement, and how to get started with 1Password. - [LastPass Learns Dirty Tricks From Dear Old Dad](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/02/lastpass-learns-dirty-tricks-from-dear-old-dad/) - LogMeIn has been teaching LastPass all of its dirty tricks so it can grow up to abuse consumers just like dad. Coming soon: price increases & decreased functionality. - [Set Up Remote Access To Help Your Parents With Their Computer](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/02/set-up-remote-access-to-help-your-parents-with-their-computer/) - It's easy to set up your parents' computer so you can provide remote help with email, medical appointments, and vaccinations. Here's what you need to know. - [Does Size Matter? It Does For Your Mouse Cursor](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/02/does-size-matter-it-does-for-your-mouse-cursor/) - Does your mouse cursor disappear sometimes? How many times a day do you wiggle the mouse back and forth in frustration to find it? Here's a great tip. - [The Great Russia Hack 5: What Are They Doing To Our Nice Networks?](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/02/the-great-russia-hack-5-what-are-they-doing-to-our-nice-networks/) - An overview of the public info about the Russian attack: Who got hacked? Who’s doing the hacking? What are they doing to our nice networks? - [The Great Russia Hack 4: How Did They Get Caught?](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/02/the-great-russia-hack-4-how-did-they-get-caught/) - The Russians were brought down by a cell phone, just one phone where it didn’t belong. There's an important lesson for you here about two-factor authentication. - [The Great Russia Hack 3: The Solarwinds Story](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/01/the-great-russian-hack-3-the-solarwinds-story/) - We don’t know exactly how the Russians hacked Solarwinds, but the Solarwinds story takes some unexpected twists into the dark side of American capitalism. - [The Great Russia Hack 2: How'd They Do It?](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/01/the-great-russia-hack-2-howd-they-do-it/) - Nation-state hackers have to work invisibly. Here's the story of how Russian hackers used Solarwinds to install malware in 18,000 networks. - [The Great Russia Hack 1: Some Background About Cyber Warfare](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/01/the-great-russia-hack-1-some-background-about-cyber-warfare/) - Hacked! Russian hackers have been running malware in corporate & US govt network servers. It’s the largest espionage hack in history. Here's some background. - [Rules For Computer And Online Safety 2021](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/01/rules-for-computer-and-online-safety-2021/) - Everything you need to know to stay safe - essential rules and best practices for email, passwords, computers, phones, social networks, and more. - [The Joy Of Science](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/01/the-joy-of-science/) - I want you to read an extraordinary letter about science. It makes me feel joyful and optimistic, like the world has magical promise. - [Bruceb News Continues On Hiatus Until The End Of 2020](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/01/bruceb-news-continues-on-hiatus-until-the-end-of-2020/) - I can’t wait until 2020 finally ends! A lot of people weren’t expecting the epilogue to the 2020 miniseries, which will run for another week or so. - [Hope Is Being Able To See That There Is Light Despite All Of The Darkness](https://www.bruceb.com/2021/01/hope-is-being-able-to-see-that-there-is-light-despite-all-of-the-darkness/) - Yesterday there was a terrorist attack against the United States. And I am more hopeful than I have been for months, maybe years. - [The 2020 Bruceb News Year In Review](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/12/the-2020-bruceb-news-year-in-review/) - We made it to the end of 2020! Here are notable articles from a terrible year - Microsoft, Office 365, antitrust, security, Apple, 5G, Windows tips, and more. - [Robert Bork & Hipster Antitrust](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/12/robert-bork-hipster-antitrust/) - Antitrust law has been helpless to check the giant tech companies. There is a movement to reinterpret the law to make it effective again. - [The Facebook Antitrust Lawsuits](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/12/the-facebook-antitrust-lawsuits/) - The government filed antitrust lawsuits seeking to break up Facebook. The lawsuits are weak & focused on irrelevant goals. Here's what you need to know. - [The Best New Music Of 2020](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/12/the-best-new-music-of-2020/) - We may have been locked inside during a pandemic but at least we got some great music. These are the best songs of the year for rock music fans. - [Google Improves The View For PDFs](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/12/google-improves-the-view-for-pdfs/) - The latest version of Chrome includes a redesigned PDF reader. For the first time, it’s a good experience to view an online PDF. Here's how to turn it on. - [A Tiny Windows Tip Of Minimal Importance](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/12/a-tiny-windows-tip-of-minimal-importance/) - A wonderful tip to bring zen-like clarity and bliss with a single keystroke - here's one of the Windows keyboard shortcuts worth remembering. - [Windows Crashes, LogTransport2, And Privacy](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/11/windows-crashes-logtransport2-and-privacy/) - If you see a LogTransport2.exe error when you’re shutting down your Windows PC, you can ignore it. Here's more info about what it means & how to stop it. - [If Section 230 Is So Swell, Why Do People Want To Change It?](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/11/if-section-230-is-so-swell-why-do-people-want-to-change-it/) - Republicans think the repeal of Section 230 would result in less moderation. Democrats think it would lead to more moderation. They're both wrong. - [Section 230 Is At The Heart Of Everything](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/11/section-230-is-at-the-heart-of-everything/) - Section 230 is the key to understanding Facebook and Twitter. And the Internet. And our society and our politics. Here's what you need to know. - [Reliability Monitor Is Your New Old Favorite Windows Troubleshooting Tool](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/11/reliability-monitor-is-your-new-old-favorite-windows-troubleshooting-tool/) - Reliability Monitor is the best Windows troubleshooting tool that you’re not using. There's no easier way to get a quick idea of what is causing system errors. - [America After The Election](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/11/america-after-the-election/) - The vote count is proceeding as I write this. We have a single flower struggling to grow. I am grateful for the flower! But the landscape is otherwise arid. - [Predicting The Election, With Hope And Laser Bears](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/10/the-election-hope-and-laser-bears/) - We can't see over the wall between today and Inauguration Day. Here are my thoughts, plus a prediction from author Chuck Wendig. - [Changes Ahead For Outlook](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/10/changes-ahead-for-outlook/) - The desktop Outlook program is aging and looking worse for wear. Microsoft is working on making it more similar to Outlook webmail. - [Try The Online Versions Of Word, Excel, And Powerpoint](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/10/try-the-online-versions-of-word-excel-powerpoint/) - This is going to sound crazy but I want you to try using the online versions of Word & Excel. You might not know they exist but, well, they’re pretty good. - [OneDrive Is The Best Way To Back Up Your Files](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/10/onedrive-is-the-best-way-to-back-up-your-files/) - OneDrive has become Microsoft’s preferred way to back up your files. You can easily redirect your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders to OneDrive. - [How To Change The Login For Your Microsoft Personal Account](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/10/how-to-change-the-login-for-your-microsoft-personal-account/) - If you use the same email address to log into your Microsoft business & personal accounts, this is how to change the address on your personal account. - [Understanding Microsoft Business And Personal Accounts](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/10/understanding-microsoft-business-and-personal-accounts/) - This is the essential guide to Microsoft's two different, completely separate types of accounts – personal and business (“work or school”). - [Make A Note To Try Microsoft To Do](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/09/make-a-note-to-try-microsoft-to-do/) - Microsoft To Do is a free to do list that can be linked to a business Office 365 account or a personal Outlook.com account. Try it! It's a winner. - [Tips For Saving Files In Word & Excel](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/09/tips-for-saving-files-in-word-excel/) - There are three different windows for opening & saving files in the Office programs. Here are some tips to reduce the clicks for opening and saving files. - [Advertising At The Speed Of Light](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/09/advertising-at-the-speed-of-light/) - The advertising business doesn’t work the way you think it does. Here's some background - and a fun fact that will change the way you look at online ads. - [Cybercrime Is Boring](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/09/cybercrime-is-boring/) - Hackers and phone scammers are not leading exciting lives. They're doing work that is mind-numbingly boring and tedious. Not a great career choice! - [Windows Can’t Find My OneDrive Files](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/08/windows-cant-find-my-onedrive-files/) - Windows Search is supposed to be able to find my files in OneDrive for Business. Here's the story of how Windows Search is failing in 2020. - [Why Is It So Hard For Facebook To Remove False Covid Information?](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/08/why-is-it-so-hard-for-facebook-to-remove-false-covid-information/) - Some thoughts about why content moderation is so difficult, and how Facebook can be more effective in preventing misinformation from spreading. - [Arguing At Cross-Purposes About Tech Policy](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/08/arguing-at-cross-purposes-about-tech-policy/) - We need to do a better job of sorting out the issues about the role of giant tech companies in our society. Here are the six issues that are in the news. - [Windows Tip: Use Alt-Tab To Switch Programs](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/08/windows-tip-use-alt-tab-to-switch-programs/) - I don’t think you’re using Alt-Tab to switch programs. Why not? It’s a wonderful timesaver that has existed since Bill Gates invented the keyboard. - [A Cautionary Tale About Always-Connected Computers](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/08/a-cautionary-tale-about-always-connected-computers/) - This is a fun and interesting story that ends with me so angry that I want to feed my laptop into a wood chipper. Fair warning: to get there, you have to read a bit more about ARM processors and Intel processors. Yuck! I know, right? But this story is WAY easier than the last - [Microsoft Doesn’t Care That Windows Is Declining](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/07/microsoft-doesnt-care-that-windows-is-declining/) - Microsoft is failing at modifying Windows to run on ARM processors, but it has a plan to profit from Windows regardless of what computer we run. - [Windows Is In Its Declining Years, Macs Are Entering Their Second Childhood](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/07/windows-is-in-its-declining-years-macs-are-entering-their-second-childhood/) - These events have paved the way for Apple to dominate personal computing in the next five years. Intel has failed at keeping up with the needs of a mobile population. The best Intel processors are powerful, but Intel’s entire lineup lags far behind ARM processors for power management and connectivity, just as important as raw - [Apple & The Future Of Personal Computing](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/07/apple-the-future-of-personal-computing/) - Prediction: In the next five years, Apple will come to dominate personal computing in much the same way that it dominates the smartphone market today. - [The Outlook Is Grim For Microsoft Updates](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/07/the-outlook-is-grim-for-microsoft-updates/) - If you’re an Outlook user, there’s a good chance that the program crashed yesterday. Microsoft has a problem with updates and it probably won't get better. - [How To Make Windows Less Annoying](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/07/how-to-make-windows-less-annoying/) - Here are the settings I change in Windows to reduce the number of ads disguised as “tips” & “suggestions” and soften some of Windows’ rough edges. - [How eBay Prevented Me From Starting A Life Of Crime](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/07/how-ebay-prevented-me-from-starting-a-life-of-crime/) - I was going to sell collectible books on eBay. Fortunately eBay saw right through my nefarious schemes and banned me for life. - [How To Lose Friends And Influence People: Microsoft Rolls Out New Edge Browser](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/07/how-to-lose-friends-and-influence-people-microsoft-rolls-out-new-edge-browser/) - How to lose friends and influence people: Microsoft is using heavy-handed tactics to promote its new Edge browser. You'll be irritated. - [Security Tip: Are You Available For A Scam?](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/06/security-tip-are-you-available-for-a-scam/) - “Are you available” messages are a scam. Your email response will go to a criminal. If you respond, the bad guy will try to convince you to do something you will regret. - [The Bad Guys Are Gonna Git You If You Don’t Watch Out](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/06/the-bad-guys-are-gonna-git-you-if-you-dont-watch-out-2/) - There's been an increase in phishing messages in the last few months, trying to fool you into giving up a password or a credit card number. - [How Do You Manage Your Household Finances? Quicken, Simplifi, Money In Excel, And More](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/06/how-do-you-manage-your-household-finances-quicken-simplifi-money-in-excel-and-more/) - Quicken is on the decline, but there are new options today for mobile devices and the web, including new apps from Quicken & Microsoft. - [Are You Feeling Subscription Fatigue Yet?](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/06/are-you-feeling-subscription-fatigue-yet/) - There are a lot of video streaming services. In the cable era, we thought we wanted more choices. Now we've got more choices. I'm not sure we're happier. - [Zoom's Pandemic Success Story](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/06/zooms-pandemic-success-story/) - Zoom usage increased by twentyfold in a few months with virtually no outages. Here's how they were able to scale so quickly. - [Statement To The Analy High School Speech & Debate Team](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/06/statement-to-the-analy-high-school-speech-debate-team/) - Message from Nate Berls to Analy High School debate team members about the role of young people in today's social unrest. - [Oh Happy Day! It's The Grand Opening Of The New Bruceb.com Website!](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/06/oh-happy-day-its-the-grand-opening-of-the-new-bruceb-com-website/) - Oh happy day! Bruceb.com has finished its remodel and is open for business. Join us for a tour of the funny pictures. Root beer floats for the kids! - [Please Chat Amongst Yourselves During This Brief Intermission](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/06/please-chat-amongst-yourselves-during-this-brief-intermission/) - No new articles or updates for a week or so, while the Bruceb.com websites are updated. - [Outlook's Slow Road To Syncing Signatures](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/05/outlooks-slow-road-to-syncing-signatures/) - At some point, possibly during our lifetimes, Outlook will begin syncing email signatures through the cloud from one computer to another. - [Dropbox Smart Sync Included With All Paid Plans](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/05/dropbox-smart-sync-included-with-all-paid-plans/) - Dropbox Smart Sync allows files to be browsed on your computer without using any space on the hard drive. It is included now with Dropbox Plus and Professional. - [The Nine Billion Windows Keyboard Shortcuts](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/05/the-nine-billion-windows-keyboard-shortcuts/) - Here's a single new keyboard shortcut that might save you time every day, if you force yourself to use it until it's second nature. - [Power And Cruelty In George Orwell's America](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/05/power-and-cruelty-in-george-orwells-america/) - The cruelty is the point. - [Tech Tidbits](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/05/tech-tidbits/) - A few bits of tech news – pandemic shortages, VR and Half-Life Alyx, the latest phones from Google and Apple, Comcast upgrades, and more. - [The Outlook Search Bar Is Changing, Whether You Like It Or Not. (You Won't Like It.)](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/05/the-outlook-search-bar-is-changing-whether-you-like-it-or-not-you-wont-like-it/) - The search bar in the Outlook desktop program is going to change and move around and grow and grow like a mutant chicken heart from an old horror movie. - [What's Wrong With Office 365 Junk Mail Filtering?](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/04/whats-wrong-with-office-365-junk-mail-filtering/) - Too many important messages are going into my Outlook Junk Email folder, and I can’t figure out why. Scan your junk mail every so often, just in case. - [How To Turn Off The Dropbox Desktop App (And Why Is There A Desktop App, Anyway?)](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/04/how-to-turn-off-the-dropbox-desktop-app-and-why-is-there-a-desktop-app-anyway/) - There's an "all-new Dropbox experience." Here's the story of why Dropbox introduced a new desktop app, and how to turn it off. - [Outlook Tip: How To Turn Off "Top Results"](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/04/outlook-tip-how-to-turn-off-top-results/) - When you search your email in Outlook, you might see three random messages chosen as “Top results" for no reason. Fortunately the new feature can be turned off. - [Windows Tip: How To Stop The Disappearing Scroll Bar](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/04/windows-tip-how-to-stop-the-disappearing-scroll-bar/) - Windows 10 scroll bars get squeezed to a thread or disappear. Here's how to make the scroll bar full-size all the time (except for the exceptions). - [Is Zoom Safe To Use?](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/04/is-zoom-safe-to-use/) - Despite all the alarming articles, Zoom is perfectly safe to use for one-on-one and small group chats with people you know. Here's what you need to know. - [Shooting Fish In A Barrel: Microsoft Is Rebranding Office 365](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/04/shooting-fish-in-a-barrel-microsoft-is-rebranding-office-365/) - Microsoft is going to change the names of Office 365 plans because it's developed a schoolgirl crush on the term "Microsoft 365." Give up hope of understanding. - [A Few Nice Things](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/04/a-few-nice-things/) - We can all use some nice things. - [Covid-19 Is Straining The Internet](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/03/covid-19-is-straining-the-internet/) - When we were confined to our homes, Internet usage ramped up so quickly that the infrastructure is being stretched past its limits. - [The Dangers Of Location Tracking](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/03/the-dangers-of-location-tracking/) - The debate over location tracking to combat Covid-19 raises difficult issues, because location data can also disrupt lives in terrible ways. - [Working Remotely: Splashtop Tips For Dual Monitors & Blurry Displays](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/03/working-remotely-splashtop-tips-for-dual-monitors-blurry-displays/) - Tips for working remotely - setting your office computer not to go to sleep, two tips for dual monitors, and a way to improve a blurry display. - [Location Tracking Could Help Combat Covid-19 - But At What Cost?](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/03/location-tracking-could-help-combat-covid-19/) - If the government collects location data, it might help researchers and it could alert anyone who comes in contact with an infected person. But at what cost? - [The Benefits Of Location Tracking](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/03/every-time-your-location-is-tracked-a-fairy-is-born/) - Location tracking improves the world. Tech companies provide services specifically to you as well as aggregating data to benefit everyone. - [Location Tracking: Cell Towers, Key Fobs, And Cameras](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/03/location-tracking-cell-towers-key-fobs-and-cameras/) - The phone carriers track your location by the cell antennas you connect to as you move around. And there are so many other ways you're being tracked! - [Location Tracking: Who's Following You? How Do They Know Where You Are?](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/03/location-tracking-whos-following-you-how-do-they-know-where-you-are/) - Our phones are remarkably efficient surveillance tools. Here's some info about how location data is collected by Facebook, Google and other phone apps. - [Location Tracking: LA LA LA I DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOU](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/03/location-tracking-la-la-la-i-dont-want-to-hear-you/) - The nature of privacy is evolving. I don't blame you for wanting to tune out, but it's not all bad news. Being informed will make the world seem less creepy. - [Location Tracking: They Know Where You Are](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/02/location-tracking-they-know-where-you-are/) - We are being tracked wherever we go by dozens of companies, largely unregulated. The beginning of a series about who's tracking us and why. - [Request Files Using Dropbox Or OneDrive](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/02/request-files-using-dropbox-or-onedrive/) - There is an easy way for anyone to upload files to your Dropbox or OneDrive for Business folders, even if they don’t have their own account. Who knew? - [Prices And Algorithms: It’s A Game Of Cat And Mouse, And You’re Always The Mouse](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/02/pricing-changes-and-algorithms-its-a-game-of-cat-and-mouse-and-youre-always-the-mouse/) - Prices for flights, hotels, and everyday items are changed constantly and continuously to increase profits at your expense. - [Windows Search Is Broken And It's Bing's Fault](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/02/windows-search-is-broken-and-its-bings-fault/) - Windows Search has been broken for the last few weeks. The process of updating it has been shrouded in secrecy as things get worse and worse. - [LastPass Is Slow](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/02/lastpass-is-slow/) - The Chrome extension for LastPass is slow to load and slow to respond. You need a password manager, but I'm worried about LastPass performance and its future. - [Google, Microsoft, And Unethical Behavior](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/01/google-microsoft-and-unethical-behavior/) - Even companies with corporate cultures built on honesty are tempted to fool us and bully us to extract a few extra advertising dollars. What's gone wrong? - [Rules For Computer And Online Safety 2020](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/01/rules-for-computer-and-online-safety-2020/) - Everything you need to know to stay safe - essential rules and best practices for email, passwords, computers, phones, social networks, and more. - [Google Real-Time Transcription Is The Coolest Technology Of 2019](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/01/google-real-time-transcription-is-the-coolest-technology-of-2019/) - Google uses its AI prowess to do something that looks easy: record speech and transcribe the words into text in real time. - [R.I.P. Windows 7](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/01/r-i-p-windows-7/) - If you are still running a Windows 7 computer, you have to change computers or upgrade to Windows 10 – full stop, end of story. - [Why You Should Be Skeptical About 5G In 2020](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/01/why-you-should-be-skeptical-about-5g-in-2020/) - The transition to 5G will be messy and confusing. Here are some of the things that won’t be in the ads. - [5G Will Be Important, But Not In 2020 (Despite What The Ads Say)](https://www.bruceb.com/2020/01/5g-will-be-important-but-not-in-2020-despite-what-the-ads-say/) - An overwhelming advertising blitz will begin in 2020, trying to convince you that you should upgrade your phone now now now. Here's what you need to know. - [The 2019 Bruceb News Year In Review](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/12/the-2019-bruceb-news-year-in-review/) - A roundup of the most popular articles from 2019 - technology, privacy, security, content moderation, and the future of VR games - [Data Brokers: The Companies Hiding In The Shadows That Know Everything About You](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/12/data-brokers-the-companies-hiding-in-the-shadows-that-know-everything-about-you/) - There are more than 4,000 companies buying and selling personal information. You’ve never heard of them. They live in the shadows. - [Spotify Unwrapped 2019: My Top Ten List Is 260% Better Than Last Year](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/12/spotify-unwrapped-2019-my-top-ten-list-is-260-better-than-last-year/) - Spotify has launched its annual Spotify Wrapped website, where you can look back on your year of music listening. Take a listen to my Top Ten list! - [Should You Pay For Dark Web Monitoring?](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/12/should-you-pay-for-dark-web-monitoring/) - Your personal information is for sale on the dark web. Here's what that means - and why it may not be worth it to pay for dark web scans. - [Pixel 4 And Why We Can't Have Nice Things](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/12/pixel-4-and-why-we-cant-have-nice-things/) - If you had a Pixel 4 phone, you'd like it. You wouldn't know it from the headlines. We have some problems with journalism today. - [Headcrabs And The Future Of Virtual Reality](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/11/headcrabs-and-the-future-of-virtual-reality/) - Last week, Valve Corporation announced a new VR game, Half-Life: Alyx, due in March 2020. Let’s unpack why this is such a big deal. - [Install Google Lens, Then Remember To Use It](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/11/install-google-lens-and-then-remember-to-use-it/) - Google Lens uses your phone's camera to examine something in front of you, and then give you information that is useful to you. You'll use it all the time. - [Say Goodbye To Outlook Clutter](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/11/say-goodbye-to-outlook-clutter/) - On January 31, 2020, there won't be any more clutter in Outlook. Oh, you'll still get unimportant messages, but they won't be sorted into a Clutter folder. - [Amazon, Apple, And Ambience](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/11/amazon-apple-and-ambience/) - Amazon and Apple each hope to surround us with connected networks of devices and services, following paths that fit their expertise and business models. - [Google Wants To Surround You With Invisible Assistants](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/11/google-wants-to-surround-you-with-invisible-assistants/) - Google wants to make it so natural to interact with Google Assistant that you don’t even notice that you’re doing it. - [Ambient Computing: Buzzwords That Are Changing Your World](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/10/ambient-computing-buzzwords-that-are-changing-your-world/) - Ambient computing is the term for technology that is interwoven into our world, the devices and services that surround us to help our everyday lives. - [Grammar Are For Winners!](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/10/grammar-are-for-winners/) - Artificial intelligence now allows grammar to be checked just as easily as spelling. Microsoft and Google both have strong tools but Grammarly is the winner. - [Windows 10 Has Ransomware Protection - Here's Why It's Not Turned On](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/10/windows-10-has-ransomware-protection-heres-why-its-not-turned-on/) - Microsoft added built-in ransomware protection to Windows 10 two years ago. Here’s why you’ve never heard of it and why you probably won’t turn it on. - [How To Set Up A New Windows 10 PC Without A Microsoft Account](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/10/how-to-set-up-a-new-windows-10-pc-without-a-microsoft-account/) - Microsoft has hidden the option to set up a local account on a new PC instead of connecting to an online Microsoft account. Here's how you can take control. - [Dark Patterns Are Evil - And They're Everywhere](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/10/dark-patterns-are-evil-and-theyre-everywhere/) - The web is filled with dark patterns – deliberately confusing and deceptive choices, designed to trick us into something. - [Microsoft Makes It Easy To Encrypt Your Email (Well, Easier Than Before, Anyway)](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/09/microsoft-makes-it-easy-to-encrypt-your-email-well-easier-than-before-anyway/) - Office 365 Message Encryption is easier on senders & recipients than any previous encryption method - affordable, secure, and built into Outlook. - [How To Use The Archive Button In Outlook](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/09/how-to-use-the-archive-button-in-outlook/) - Outlook has an Archive button, right next to the Delete button. You haven’t noticed it but some of you may decide it’s your new best friend. - [Security Tip: Use Authy For Two-Factor Authentication](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/09/security-tip-use-authy-for-two-factor-authentication/) - Let's talk about two-factor authentication. Oh, come on! Don't give me that look. It's important and I've got a great app for you to make it easier. - [How To Get Rid Of The "Microsoft Account Problem" Notification](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/09/how-to-get-rid-of-the-microsoft-account-problem-notification/) - If you get a notification that you have a "Microsoft account problem," you haven't been hacked and you don't have a virus. Here's how to stop the notice. - [Google, Antitrust, And Zero-Click Searches](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/09/google-antitrust-and-zero-click-searches/) - The majority of Google searches end without a click on a search result because Google has answered the question. It creates an antitrust dilemma. - [Windows 10 Tip: Dress Up Your Desktop With A Theme](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/09/windows-10-tip-dress-up-your-desktop-with-a-theme/) - Microsoft has gorgeous photos to use as Windows wallpaper. I’ll tell you where to get the themes, with a digression about the failure of the Microsoft Store. - [Acronyms You Should Know: TL;DR](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/09/acronyms-you-should-know-tldr/) - You've seen TL;DR in Bruceb News articles. If you're over 35, you probably thought it was a mistake. Au contrariwise! It's a bit of slang worth knowing. - [How To Stop Microsoft Teams From Starting Automatically](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/08/how-to-stop-microsoft-teams-from-starting-automatically/) - Some of you are seeing the Microsoft Teams startup screen every time the computer starts. Here's how to stop it if it's driving you mad. - [Your Office 365 Mailbox Is Not Backed Up (But It’s . . . Wait, Is That Okay?)](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/08/your-office-365-mailbox-is-not-backed-up-but-its-wait-is-that-okay/) - If your business uses Office 365, there is probably no backup of your mailboxes. A long-term backup requires a third-party service at startling expense. - [Your Backup Program Is Not Backing Up OneDrive Files (But It’s Okay!)](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/08/your-backup-program-is-not-backing-up-onedrive-files-but-its-okay/) - Backup programs like Carbonite can only back up files that are on your local hard drive. They cannot back up OneDrive files that are only online. - [Save Screenshots With Snip & Sketch](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/08/save-screenshots-with-snip-sketch/) - Windows 10 version 1903 includes Snip & Sketch, an update to the venerable Snipping Tool that has been part of Windows since 2007. - [Best Practices To Secure Office 365 Global Admin Accounts](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/08/best-practices-to-secure-office-365-global-admin-accounts/) - Businesses have to protect the Office 365 global admin account fiercely. Here are specific tips about how to keep your Office 365 account safe. - [Chilling Tales Of Lost Passwords](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/08/chilling-tales-of-lost-passwords/) - A scary story about the government’s preparations for the 2020 census, to help you understand the need to protect admin accounts. - [How To Turn Off Unwanted Chrome Extensions](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/07/how-to-turn-off-unwanted-chrome-extensions/) - Junk Chrome extensions can ruin your web browsing. Here are the steps to identify harmful extensions and remove them from Chrome. - [How To Turn Off Spam Ads & Annoying Notifications In Windows 10 & Chrome](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/07/how-to-turn-off-spam-ads-chrome/) - Here's how to turn off spam ads or annoying notifications popping up from the lower right corner of your Windows desktop. - [If You’re Worried About FaceApp Sending Your Photo To Russia, You’re Missing The Big Picture](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/07/if-youre-worried-about-faceapp-sending-your-photo-to-russia-youre-missing-the-big-picture/) - Your adorable mug is already in so many facial recognition databases that a selfie in Russia doesn’t warrant a second thought. - [Security Tip: Google’s Lessons About Media Literacy Aren’t Just For Kids](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/07/security-tip-googles-lessons-about-media-literacy-arent-just-for-kids/) - Media literacy - recognizing phishing messages, disinformation, and scams – is increasingly important. Here are some easy ways to protect yourself. - [OneDrive For Business Has Issues](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/07/onedrive-for-business-has-issues/) - Many Office 365 business subscribers will be happy with OneDrive for Business. Here are the issues that drove me back to Dropbox. - [My Documents Folder Is A Mess (And It’s Microsoft’s Fault)](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/07/my-documents-folder-is-a-mess-and-its-microsofts-fault/) - Your Documents folder in Windows is probably a cluttered mess. It's Microsoft's fault and there’s nothing you can do about it. - [Roughing It](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/06/roughing-it/) - I will be on vacation and off the grid until July 8. Bruceb News will be on hiatus. - [Gaming 2019: Virtual Reality](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/06/gaming-2019-virtual-reality/) - Oculus Quest & Rift S open virtual reality up to a mass market. It's the most fun you can have with technology in 2019. Here's everything you need to know. - [Gaming 2019: Console & PC Gaming](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/06/gaming-2019-console-pc-gaming/) - Streaming & subscriptions are going to change the gaming industry. High quality games will be accessible to more people for less money. - [Everything You Need To Know About Gaming 2019: Casual & Mobile Games](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/06/everything-you-need-to-know-about-gaming-2019-casual-mobile-games/) - All of the interesting technology in 2019 is in the game industry. Mobile games will be taken over by augmented reality apps from Harry Potter & Minecraft. - [LastPass Mobile Account Recovery And Emergency Access](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/06/lastpass-mobile-account-recovery-and-emergency-access/) - There are two effective ways to reset a LastPass master password, but they have to be set up ahead of time. Highly recommended for all LastPass users! - [LastPass Learns The Wrong Lessons About Price Increases From LogMeIn](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/06/lastpass-learns-the-wrong-lessons-about-price-increases-from-logmein/) - LastPass has learned some of the wrong lessons from its parent LogMeIn, with price increases for LastPass Premium that arrive like unexpected tiny bombs. - [Huawei And The Dog That’s Not Barking](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/05/huawei-and-the-dog-thats-not-barking/) - The United States is spearheading a multinational effort to destroy Huawei. There's something missing from the conversation about the Huawei threat. - [Improve Your Security By Giving Your Phone Number To Google](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/05/improve-your-security-by-giving-your-phone-number-to-google/) - Security is complicated. It turns out that giving your phone number to Google can block almost all attacks on your Google account. - [You Never Have To Change Your Passwords Again!*](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/05/you-never-have-to-change-your-passwords-again/) - Password expiration policies are pointless. If a password is never stolen, there’s no need to change it. (But mind the footnote.) - [Breaking News: Special Google Edition, May 13, 2019](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/05/breaking-news-special-google-edition-may-13-2019/) - The latest Google news: a video that will make you cry, improved privacy & security, mid-priced phones with premium cameras, and more. - [OneNote Is Lonely And Confused](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/05/onenote-is-lonely-and-confused/) - Microsoft OneNote isn’t on the Office team these days. Oh, and the version on your PC is on its last legs and someday will be discontinued. - [Google Docs Adding Support For Microsoft Office File Formats](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/05/google-docs-adding-support-for-microsoft-office-file-formats/) - Google is trying to make the grass look greener in its walled garden, hoping to lure businesses that might otherwise stay loyal to Microsoft. - [How To Live The Simple Life . . . With Microsoft](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/04/how-to-live-the-simple-life-with-microsoft/) - My new computer is simple and has relatively few confusing bits - but it runs Windows and relies on Microsoft services. Those things don't usually go together! - [The Mueller Report, Obsolete Technology, And Inferior PDFs](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/04/the-mueller-report-obsolete-technology-and-inferior-pdfs/) - The Mueller report was turned into a low-quality PDF and delivered to Congress on CD-ROMs. What's that all about? - [Fond Memories Of Patch Tuesday, And Other Windows Update Laments](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/04/fond-memories-of-patch-tuesday-and-other-windows-update-laments/) - Fond memories of Patch Tuesday, and the sad story of Windows 10 feature updates. - [Exciting New Features In The Next Windows 10 Update](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/04/exciting-new-features-in-the-next-windows-10-update/) - [ This page intentionally left blank. ] - [Microsoft Has Improved AutoSave For Office Documents (But Not For Everybody, And With One Bit That Might Make You Curse)](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/04/microsoft-has-improved-autosave-for-office-documents-but-not-for-everybody-and-with-one-bit-that-might-make-you-curse/) - Have you ever lost hours of work in a Word document because you closed it without saving? Microsoft has a new AutoSave feature - but not for everybody. - [We Believe In Free Speech Until People Exercise It](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/03/we-believe-in-free-speech-until-people-exercise-it/) - Governments, regulators and large tech companies are launching into a debate about content moderation that will be long, messy, and unsatisfying. - [Why Does Chrome Say A Website Is “Not Secure”?](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/03/why-does-chrome-say-a-web-site-is-not-secure/) - Chrome displays a warning on websites without a security certificate. Don't fill in personal data or payment information unless a website is secure! - [Amazon And The Infinite Mall](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/03/amazon-and-the-infinite-mall/) - Amazon has become an infinitely large mall full of small shops. More than half of the stuff sold on Amazon worldwide in 2017 came from third-party sellers. - [Privacy And Trust Part 5: What Can We Do?](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/03/privacy-and-trust-part-5-what-can-we-do/) - Some ideas about how to live with the knowledge that tech overlords are tracking your every move, and how lawmakers can restore some balance to the world. - [Privacy And Trust Part 4: Facebook’s Unforgivable Acts](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/03/privacy-and-trust-part-4-facebooks-unforgiveable-acts/) - The last year has brought a series of revelations of unforgivable invasions of your privacy by Facebook. Something is terribly wrong. - [Privacy And Trust Part 3: What Do They Know And How Do They Know It?](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/03/privacy-and-trust-part-3-what-do-they-know-and-how-do-they-know-it/) - Some thoughts about big questions: What do big tech companies know about us? How do they know it? What can they do with it? Is it an invasion of privacy? - [Privacy And Trust Part 2: No Escape!](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/02/privacy-and-trust-part-2-no-escape/) - It is impossible for us to detach from the big tech companies or prevent our data from being collected. - [Privacy And Trust Part 1: Data Collection By The Tech Overlords](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/02/privacy-and-trust-part-1-data-collection-by-the-tech-overlords/) - Data about you is being gathered by the big tech companies in startling ways. Their ability to predict your behavior is more like magic than technology - [Breaking News: February 18, 2019](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/02/breaking-news-february-18-2019/) - News about Wi-Fi mesh networking, using Dragon for dictation, David Sanger on cybersecurity, and the changing conversation about climate change. - [Improve Your Home Wi-Fi By Meshing It Up](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/02/improve-your-home-wi-fi-by-meshing-it-up/) - Got any Wi-Fi dead spots in your home? You can improve Wi-Fi coverage with new technology that improves signal strength without requiring technical expertise. - [Microsoft Thinks The Future Belongs To Teams (And It Might Work For You, Too)](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/02/microsoft-thinks-the-future-belongs-to-teams-and-it-might-work-for-you-too/) - Microsoft Teams is an Office 365 service that employees can use to chat and collaborate, providing an alternative (and perhaps a replacement) for email. - [All Things Must Pass: Say Goodbye To Windows 7](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/02/all-things-must-pass-say-goodbye-to-windows-7/) - Individuals and small businesses should plan to replace Windows 7 computers in the next year. Windows 7 is almost ten years old and will be unsupported soon. - [Rules For Computer And Online Safety 2019](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/01/rules-for-computer-and-online-safety-2019/) - These are the rules for computer and online safety in 2019. Only your vigilance will protect you against bad guys. You will be safe if you are cautious. - [How To Pin A Chrome Shortcut To The Taskbar](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/01/how-to-add-a-chrome-shortcut-to-your-taskbar/) - How to create a taskbar button that opens up a website in Chrome in a separate window, without the normal Chrome toolbar and buttons at the top. - [Security Tip: The Bad Guys Can Spoof The Sender’s Name And Email Address On Malicious Messages](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/01/security-tip-the-bad-guys-can-spoof-the-senders-name-and-email-address-on-malicious-messages/) - The bad guys can make the sender’s name and email address appear any way they choose on a malicious email message. Paranoia is your best defense! - [It’s Not Just Your Computer - Everything Is Too Hard To Use (And It’s Not Your Fault)](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/01/its-not-just-your-computer-everything-is-too-hard-to-use-and-its-not-your-fault/) - If you help people with tech issues at any level, you can’t assume that anyone knows anything about technology. - [Bloomberg And Chinese Spies: The Strangest Technology Story Of The Year](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/01/bloomberg-and-chinese-spies-the-strangest-technology-story-of-the-year/) - The Chinese government has put secret spy chips on US government servers. Maybe. The US government is mounting a full-court disinformation campaign. Maybe. - [The 2018 Bruceb News Year In Review](https://www.bruceb.com/2019/01/the-bruceb-news-2018-year-in-review/) - A few articles to revisit when you can’t sleep, to help you navigate the ever-changing technology landscape. - [Spotify Wrapped: My Top Ten Is Better Than Your Top Ten](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/12/spotify-wrapped-my-top-ten-is-better-than-your-top-ten/) - Spotify has launched Spotify Wrapped, where you can look back on your year of music listening. I'll bet my top ten is better than your top ten! - [Algorithms And Paperclips: How Facebook Drives Us Apart](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/12/algorithms-and-paperclips-how-facebook-drives-us-apart/) - A single-minded focus on maximizing engagement is a crucial component of Facebook’s business model – and it is bad for us. - [Put A Google Home Hub On Your Xmas List](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/12/put-a-google-home-hub-on-your-xmas-list/) - The Google Home Hub is the best photo frame ever - and there are a lot of other reasons to put one in your kitchen or by your bed. - [Microsoft Has Not Made Any Progress On Sorting Out Its Personal And Work Accounts](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/12/microsoft-has-not-made-any-progress-on-sorting-out-its-personal-and-work-accounts/) - Microsoft has two giant identity systems set up by different divisions of the company – one for personal accounts, one for work accounts. It’s confusing. - [Outlook Tip: Paste Your Way To A New Email Message (And A Few Other Random Bits)](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/12/outlook-tip-paste-your-way-to-a-new-email-message-and-a-few-other-random-bits/) - How to create an Outlook message from the clipboard - and a few other cool Outlook tricks. - [Prepare Yourself (And Your Budget) For Subscription Fatigue](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/11/prepare-yourself-and-your-budget-for-subscription-fatigue/) - You’re going to be so fed up with subscriptions by the end of next year that you will want to scream. - [Kasvot Växt And The Best Album You’ve Never Heard](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/11/kasvot-vxt-and-the-best-album-youve-never-heard/) - My favorite song of the year was performed for the first time ever on Halloween. You’ve never heard it. Come on in for a story of musical costumes! - [Windows 10 Tip: View Your Clipboard History](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/11/windows-10-tip-view-your-clipboard-history/) - After your Windows 10 PC installs the update released this week, you can access a history of items you’ve copied to your clipboard. - [Am I The Only One Who Didn’t Know That Surge Protectors Wear Out?](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/11/am-i-the-only-one-who-didnt-know-that-surge-protectors-wear-out/) - Surge protectors wear out. Day to day use for a couple of years, and they are completely useless for power surges. And you know how you can tell? You can’t. - [Vote 2018](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/11/vote-2018/) - To all my US readers: This is what history looks like when it’s happening. If you don’t get to the polls, or if you turn away because the line is long, you will regret it for the rest of your life. Vote. ← Previous PostNext Post → - [Google Knows So Much About You That It’s Creepy, But It Might Not Be An Invasion Of Privacy](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/11/google-knows-so-much-about-you-that-its-creepy-but-it-might-not-be-an-invasion-of-privacy/) - Not everything that seems "creepy" is an invasion of privacy. Here are some thoughts about data collection and privacy legislation for Google & Facebook. - [Office Tip: How To Make Outlook Easier To Use On A Touchscreen](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/11/office-tip-how-to-make-outlook-easier-to-use-on-a-touchscreen/) - The desktop version of Outlook on a laptop with a touchscreen has a “Touch mode” that adds a convenient Delete button on the right side of the screen. - [The End Of New Product Announcements](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/10/the-end-of-new-product-announcements/) - In the last two months, there have been major announcements of new products by every computer & phone manufacturer. You don’t know about any of them, do you? - [Store Your Files In The Server In The Sky](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/10/store-your-files-in-the-server-in-the-sky/) - Box, Dropbox, & OneDrive all now let you store files online and browse with File Explorer or Finder, without using space on your hard drive. This is a big deal. - [Something You Know, Something You Have: Better Security With Two Factor Authentication](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/10/something-you-know-something-you-have-better-security-with-two-factor-authentication/) - Two factor authentication adds an extra step to the process of logging into your accounts. It's inconvenient. It makes you safer. Here's what you need to know. - [Saving Passwords In Google Chrome Is Better Than Nothing (And That’s A Good Thing!)](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/10/saving-passwords-in-google-chrome-is-better-than-nothing-and-thats-a-good-thing/) - Google has improved the password management built into Chrome. It’s . . . okay! It's easy and kind of secure, as long as you take a couple of precautions. - [Why You Should Be Using LastPass](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/10/these-shocking-facts-about-lastpass-will-make-your-jaw-drop/) - The most important thing you can do to you can improve your security is to use LastPass. - [The Password Lecture](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/09/the-password-lecture/) - You hate dealing with passwords? Of course you do! Everyone hates dealing with passwords. But I have to give you this lecture - and I've got some good tips. - [OneDrive Can Automatically Back Up Your Documents, Pictures And Desktop Folders](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/09/onedrive-can-automatically-back-up-your-documents-pictures-and-desktop-folders/) - Microsoft has made it easier to protect your Documents, Pictures and Desktop folders using OneDrive. Everyone should look into this. - [Logging In To A PC With A Microsoft Account Is Overrated](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/09/logging-in-to-a-pc-with-a-microsoft-account-is-overrated/) - With the collapse of the Microsoft consumer ecosystem, there are fewer reasons all the time to sign into Windows 10 with a personal Microsoft account. - [Security Alert: Chrome Extensions And Notifications Are Being Used For Adware](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/09/security-alert-chrome-extensions-and-notifications-are-being-used-for-adware/) - Adware has started to turn up again, using Chrome extensions & notifications as a way to display annoying ads. Here's the info you need to control it. - [The Samsung Ecosystem: When Technology Is Driven By Jealousy](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/09/the-samsung-ecosystem-when-technology-is-driven-by-jealousy/) - Samsung has been copying Apple and Google for nearly a decade, trying to draw us into an ecosystem where we will be loyal Samsung customers for life. - [The Microsoft Ecosystem: Evolution And Extinction](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/08/the-microsoft-ecosystem-evolution-and-extinction/) - Microsoft does not have an ecosystem for consumers in 2018. It's a sad story, but don't fret: Microsoft’s enterprise products are tightly tied together. - [The Google Ecosystem: You Will Be Assimilated](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/08/the-google-ecosystem-you-will-be-assimilated/) - Google is an advertising company seeking to maximize engagement, combined with a strong ethical culture and the sheer joy of technology. - [The Amazon Ecosystem: The Company That Wants To Sell Everything To Everyone](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/08/the-amazon-ecosystem-the-company-that-wants-to-sell-everything-to-everyone/) - Amazon seeks to be the middleman in every financial transaction on the planet, taking a small fee as money moves from one place to another. It's a huge vision! - [The Apple Ecosystem: Life Behind The Greatest Wall](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/08/the-apple-ecosystem-life-behind-the-greatest-wall/) - Apple has built incredible customer loyalty by bringing customers into its ecosystem. Here are some things you don't know about how Apple locks in users. - [All Your Loyalties Are Belong To Us: How Technology Companies Lure Us Into Walled Gardens](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/08/all-your-loyalties-are-belong-to-us-how-technology-companies-lure-us-into-walled-gardens/) - Giant tech companies have set up ecosystems full of shiny devices & enticing services. Here's how they're trying to gain control of our hearts & wallets. - [The Bad Guys Do Not Have A Video Of You Looking At Porn](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/08/the-bad-guys-do-not-have-a-video-of-you-looking-at-porn/) - The latest scams include a password that you recognize or another bit of personal information to make the scam seem more believable. Don’t be frightened. - [Decoding Russian Cyberattacks: The Difference Between Hacking And Meddling](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/07/decoding-russian-cyberattacks-the-difference-between-hacking-and-meddling/) - There is a difference between Russian hacking and Russian meddling in American society & interfering with our election. Read this to help understand the news! - [“The Perfect Weapon” Is The Perfect Book For 2018](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/07/the-perfect-weapon-is-the-perfect-book-for-2018/) - The Perfect Weapon by David Sanger is the most important book you will read this year. It will shape your understanding of almost everything going on today in American politics and foreign policy - [Listen To Your Computer: New Read Aloud Options In Outlook, Word](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/07/listen-to-your-computer-new-read-aloud-options-in-outlook-word/) - Microsoft has improved the speech features in Word & Outlook, so the computer will read documents and messages out loud with more natural inflection and pauses. - [Talk To Your Computer: Speech Recognition In Windows 10 And Office](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/07/talk-to-your-computer-speech-recognition-in-windows-10-and-office/) - Microsoft has quietly improved the speech recognition features in Windows 10 and the Office programs. They’re still not great but give them a try. - [Microsoft Is Running FAST Searches In Outlook 2016](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/07/microsoft-is-running-fast-searches-in-outlook-2016/) - If you’re using the desktop version of Outlook 2016 with a business Office 365 mailbox, then your email searches are faster and more accurate than ever before. - [The Definitive Answer To Which Is Better: An Amazon Echo Or A Google Home](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/07/the-definitive-answer-to-which-is-better-an-amazon-echo-or-a-google-home/) - Let me tell you about where Amazon Echo and Google Home devices fit in our lives. Your experience will be different but perhaps it will be helpful to look inside our house. - [Itsy Bitsy Teensy Weensy PCs](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/06/itsy-bitsy-teensy-weensy-pcs/) - Your next business desktop tower computer might be tiny. Advances in technology and system design mean that small form factor computers are appealing options. - [How To Use Google Maps In Outlook](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/06/how-to-use-google-maps-in-outlook/) - A single registry change sets Google Maps to open when map links are clicked in Outlook. Cool! - [Microsoft Is Cutting The Ribbon In Word, Excel & Outlook](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/06/microsoft-is-cutting-the-ribbon-in-word-excel-outlook/) - Microsoft intends to simplify the ribbon in Outlook, Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. It’s possible that Microsoft will work thoughtfully and carefully and you will be happy with the result. - [Security Warning: Malicious Email Reaches Epidemic Levels](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/06/security-warning-malicious-email-reaches-epidemic-levels/) - Dangerous spam email is flooding in. The messages are lying to you. If you're careful, you will be safe. Here's what you need to know. - [Your Neighbor Is Not Calling You: 3.4 Billion Reasons Not To Answer The Phone](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/06/your-neighbor-is-not-calling-you-3-4-billion-reasons-not-to-answer-the-phone/) - It’s not your imagination. Your cell phone is ringing off the hook with automated spam calls. Here's what you need to know about robocalls, caller ID spoofing, and what you can do. - [How To Measure Your Internet Speed](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/06/how-to-measure-your-internet-speed/) - There are lots of speed tests. Here's some background and recommendations for checking your connection. - [FBI Warns That Your Router Is Possessed By Demons; Government Recommends Panic](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/05/fbi-warns-that-your-router-is-possessed-by-demons-government-recommends-panic/) - Hundreds of thousands of routers – maybe yours! - are infected by malware linked to the Russian government. Here's the info you need about how this might affect you. - [Facebook And Fake Accounts: A Miscalculation Of Scale](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/05/facebook-and-fake-accounts-a-miscalculation-of-scale/) - We all have a natural tendency to generalize from our own experiences, and to believe that problems can be isolated and solved if we can just put enough people on the job. It is hard for us to understand the scale of our modern world. - [How To Fix Low Disk Space Notifications After Installing Windows 10 April 2018 Update](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/05/how-to-fix-low-disk-space-notifications-after-installing-windows-10-april-2018-update/) - If you start seeing a barrage of notifications about “low disk space” on your Windows 10 computer, it is likely to be the result of a bug in the Windows 10 April 2018 Update. There’s an easy fix. - [Google Performs An Amazing Magic Trick With Artificial Intelligence](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/05/google-performs-an-amazing-magic-trick-with-artificial-intelligence/) - Google's demonstration of Duplex this week is one of the all-time great technology demos. You have to watch the video and read about artificial intelligence! - [Beware Of The Scary Button! Microsoft Mucks Up Another Update](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/05/beware-of-the-scary-button-microsoft-mucks-up-another-update/) - There are some problems with the latest major Windows 10 update. Don’t panic – the problems will likely be fixed before the update is installed on your computer. I hope. For now, though, don’t click the “Check for updates” button in Windows 10 Settings. You might regret it. - [Don’t Want To Live On The Edge? How To Change The Default PDF Viewer In Windows 10](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/04/dont-want-to-live-on-the-edge-how-to-change-the-default-pdf-viewer-in-windows-10/) - The first thing everyone does with a new computer is install Chrome and make Microsoft Edge go away. At some point, though, you will click on a PDF and Edge will open up. Here's how to make it stop. - [How To Use Google To Change Your Image](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/04/how-to-use-google-to-change-your-image/) - Google removed a button that made it easy to save images from a web search. Not to worry! There’s an easy workaround. Plus I’ll show you a trick or two that might help you find your next picture. - [How Microsoft Became Uncool And Lost Touch With Consumers](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/04/how-microsoft-became-uncool-and-lost-touch-with-consumers/) - A sad story of bad timing, self-inflicted wounds, poor products, technical and marketing snafus, and eventually downright consumer-hostile moves born of desperation. - [Could Microsoft Have Kept Windows Relevant?](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/04/could-microsoft-have-kept-windows-relevant/) - Microsoft didn't "miss" the mobile revolution - it wasn't good enough, and it was too focused on Windows. Here are some ideas about a path Microsoft should have walked down. - [Microsoft Acknowledges The Inevitable: Windows Is Sailing Into The Sunset](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/04/microsoft-acknowledges-the-inevitable-windows-is-sailing-into-the-sunset/) - Microsoft no longer has a Windows division. Windows is officially being recognized as a legacy product with no growth potential. Here's the info you need: What does it mean for you? How did this happen? - [Box Drive Hits A Milestone](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/04/box-drive-hits-a-milestone/) - Box Drive is the program for Box users that makes online files appear just like network shares in Windows Explorer and Mac Finder. Here's what you need to know about Box and storing files in the cloud. - [Another Season, Another Windows Update](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/03/another-season-another-windows-update/) - Microsoft will soon begin distributing the Spring Creators Update for Windows 10. Hey, calm down. Sure you’re excited. We’re all excited. But there’s no need for pushing and shoving. We’ll all get it eventually. Here's what you need to know - [Net Neutrality & SESTA: The Big Will Grow Bigger](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/03/net-neutrality-sesta-the-big-will-grow-bigger/) - Two new laws will contribute to the continued dominance by the large tech companies that have ever-growing power over our lives. - [Tech Giants And World Domination](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/03/tech-giants-and-world-domination/) - Five companies – Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft – dominate technology, the global economy, and our lives. We will be living for a long time in a world defined by the tech giants we know today. - [Around The World In 80 Taps: Google Pay, Apple Pay, And Contactless Payments](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/03/around-the-world-in-80-taps/) - I never used a credit card in Australia. I tapped. You should tap! Set up Google Pay or Apple Pay on your phone and use it for contactless payments - it's crazy fast and safe. - [Visiting The Land Down Under, Returning To The Upside Down World](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/03/visiting-the-land-down-under-returning-to-the-upside-down-world/) - Vacation stories: a few photos to show off the cameras on the new phones; notes on Melbourne's coffee obsession; and a wonderful new novel. - [Bruce Goes To Australia; Bruceb News On Hiatus; Angry Clients Demand Reforms](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/02/bruce-goes-to-australia-bruceb-news-on-hiatus-angry-clients-demand-reforms/) - Bruce will be traveling in Australia from 02/22-03/11/2018. The trip will disrupt Bruceb News and has caused an outcry from clients whose businesses depend on smooth delivery of IT services. - [Google Blocks Ads In Chrome, Kind Of](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/02/google-blocks-ads-in-chrome-kind-of/) - Google has updated Chrome so it will block ads on some websites. That's swell but the details make it less exciting than it sounds. - [Looking Forward: Google Home, Amazon Echo & Home Assistants](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/02/looking-forward-google-home-amazon-echo-home-assistants/) - The battle between Amazon and Google in the market for home assistants will be the source of the most interesting technology advances in 2018. - [Store Files Online, View Them On Your Computer With Dropbox Smart Sync](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/02/store-files-online-view-them-on-your-computer-with-dropbox-smart-sync/) - Dropbox Smart Sync is a new feature that allows you to store files online and browse through them with Windows File Explorer or Mac Finder. The files are not synced. They are only online, not on your local hard drive. - [Rules For Computer And Online Safety 2018](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/01/rules-for-computer-and-online-safety-2018/) - These are the rules to be safe on your computer and online. You have to be cautious. Stop and think! Only your vigilance will protect you against bad guys. - [Office 365 Tip: How To Turn Off Focused Inbox And Turn On Clutter](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/01/office-365-tip-how-to-turn-off-focused-inbox-and-turn-on-clutter/) - Focused Inbox is Microsoft’s new method of filtering mail for Office 365 business accounts. I don't like it. Here's how you can turn it off and go back to Clutter. - [LogMeIn Hopes You Won’t Notice That Its Price Is Absurdly High](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/01/logmein-hopes-you-wont-notice-that-its-price-is-absurdly-high/) - In 2013 LogMeIn was free for individuals. In 2018 the exact same service from LogMeIn costs $349.99/year. That is so outlandish, so absurd, that it seems like it must be a joke - but it's no joke. - [Connecting The Always Connected PCs](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/01/connecting-the-always-connected-pcs/) - Always Connected PCs will connect to the carrier networks with built-in LTE modems. But the reality might not match the marketing, and the cost will mount up. - [Looking Forward: Always Connected Computers](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/01/looking-forward-always-connected-computers/) - Imagine that your next laptop was always on, always connected, and had amazing battery life. New laptops will be on the market soon promising exactly that. - [Looking Forward: Increasing Your Core Strength](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/01/looking-forward-increasing-your-core-strength/) - Intel processors are getting more cores. Exciting, right? Here's why you might be able to save money and resist the marketing hype when you buy your next PC. - [Meltdown & Spectre: What You Need To Know About Intel’s Security Disaster](https://www.bruceb.com/2018/01/meltdown-spectre-what-you-need-to-know-about-intels-security-disaster/) - Nearly every modern processor has security flaws that could allow hackers to steal data from any computer or server. Don't panic! Here's what you need to know. - [The 2017 Bruceb News Year In Review](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/12/the-2017-bruceb-news-year-in-review/) - I don't want you to miss anything important, so here's a roundup of noteworthy articles from 2017 about Microsoft, Apple, Google, security, and more. - [Look Back At Your Favorite 2017 Music In Spotify (And Listen To My Top Ten!)](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/12/look-back-at-your-favorite-2017-music-in-spotify-and-listen-to-my-top-ten/) - If you’re a Spotify subscriber, pay a visit to https://2017wrapped.com/ to get a look back at your Spotify listening habits in 2017. (And listen to my Top Ten!) - [Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes: Focused Inbox Is Replacing Clutter In Outlook](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/12/ch-ch-ch-changes-focused-inbox-is-replacing-clutter-in-outlook/) - Focused Inbox sorts your mail into important & less important messages in Outlook & webmail. It's a replacement for Clutter, whether you want it or not. - [Why The iPhone X Will Make Apple A Trillion Dollars](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/12/why-the-iphone-x-will-make-apple-a-trillion-dollars/) - Here's why you might want an iPhone X - and how it is going to make Apple the first company in the world with a market capitalization of one trillion dollars. - [Apple’s Security Disaster And What It Means For A Golden Key](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/11/apples-security-disaster-and-what-it-means-for-a-golden-key/) - Apple dealt with a huge, unforgivable mistake this week. It makes an important point about why golden keys for law enforcement to unlock phones are a bad idea. - [Look At The Red Flowers! Windows 10 Now Includes Help For Color Blindness](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/11/look-at-the-red-flowers-windows-10-now-includes-help-for-color-blindness/) - The latest Windows 10 update includes filters that help color blind users see colors normally. It's a subtle but important improvement for 1 out of 8 men. - [Think Black Friday Is A Big Deal? China REALLY Knows How To Shop!](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/11/think-black-friday-is-a-big-deal-china-really-knows-how-to-shop/) - Last week Chinese shoppers spent 40 billion dollars in one day, more than five times the online sales on Black Friday & Cyber Monday combined. - [Security Warning: Do Not Click On Links In Email Messages!](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/11/security-warning-do-not-click-on-links-in-email-messages/) - We are being assaulted by a torrent of phony email messages from criminals. The links lead to fake websites trying to steal passwords or credit card numbers. - [Microsoft Is Moving Past Windows](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/11/microsoft-is-moving-past-windows/) - Microsoft is more successful than ever, but Windows & Office aren't the reason. CEO Satya Nadella is pivoting to enterprise cloud services. - [Quicken 2018 Is Available - Now With New Annual Subscription Fees!](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/11/quicken-2018-is-available-now-with-new-annual-subscription-fees/) - Quicken has become a subscription product with an annual fee. You might want to buy it but you should know what you’re getting into. - [The Confusing Story Of OneDrive Files On-Demand](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/11/the-confusing-story-of-onedrive-files-on-demand-2/) - OneDrive is getting a major new feature but it’s hard to predict when you’ll get it, it’s confusing to set up, and it’s poorly documented. Oh Microsoft! - [How To Set Up A Chromebook](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/10/how-to-set-up-a-chromebook/) - Setting up a Chromebook is easy. That’s the point, right? Here are some tips about the Web Store and the Play Store, pinning websites, printing, and more. - [Which Chromebook Should You Buy?](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/10/which-chromebook-should-you-buy/) - You can buy a cheap Chromebook with confidence. If it doesn’t work for you, it won’t hurt much if you only invested $200. Here are the shopping tips you need. - [Who Should Buy A Chromebook?](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/10/who-should-buy-a-chromebook/) - If you're curious about whether a high quality laptop that costs less than $450 is for you, this article has all the answers. - [Why Your Next Laptop Might Be A Chromebook](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/10/why-your-next-laptop-might-be-a-chromebook/) - Chromebooks are powerful, secure, fast laptop computers. The best Chromebooks cost $450. Here's the info you need to decide if a Chromebook is for you. - [Why Is Microsoft Obsessed With Windows Store?](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/10/why-is-microsoft-obsessed-with-windows-store/) - Microsoft has a modern platform for apps that would make your computer safer and more reliable. Here's some background to explain why you don't care. - [Google Bets That Artificial Intelligence Will Make You Buy Its New Devices](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/10/google-bets-that-artificial-intelligence-will-make-you-buy-its-new-devices/) - Google is taking us into a brave, scary new world faster than any other company. Buy some of its new devices if you want to ride along on the cutting edge. - [Windows Themes And The Failure Of The Windows Store](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/10/windows-themes-and-the-failure-of-the-windows-store/) - The Store is the icon on the Windows 10 taskbar that you’ve never clicked on. Microsoft says it’s the future of Windows. Here's an example of how it's broken. - [Be Still, Your Beating Heart! Bruceb News Turns Twenty](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/09/be-still-your-beating-heart-bruceb-news-turns-twenty/) - On September 29, 1997, I published the first item in Bruceb News. I’ve never stopped. I’ve written articles for Bruceb News continuously for twenty years. - [New Premium Phones: Samsung Galaxy S8, Google Pixel 2](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/09/new-premium-phones-samsung-galaxy-s8-google-pixel-2/) - Here's what you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Google Pixel 2 phones - the good, the bad, and a few things that will make you say, Hmm . . . - [New Premium Phones: Apple iPhone X, iPhone 8 & 8 Plus](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/09/new-premium-phones-apple-iphone-x-iphone-8-8-plus/) - Here's all the info you need about the latest Apple phones - expensive, stylish, controversial, and wonderful as always - [FIXED: iPhone/iPad Bug With Office 365 And Outlook.com](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/09/iphoneipad-bug-with-office-365-and-outlook-com-dont-upgrade-to-ios-11-yet/) - There is a bug in iOS 11 that breaks the connection between the built-in Mail app on iPhones & iPads, and Office 365 & Outlook.com mailboxes. - [The Latest Smartphone Trends](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/09/the-latest-smartphone-trends/) - Phone manufacturers introduce new phones each fall. Here's an overview of some industry trends - high prices, bezel-less screens, better cameras and more. - [Outlook Disconnected From Office 365? Try Disabling IPv6](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/09/outlook-disconnected-from-office-365-try-disabling-ipv6/) - Outlook occasionally loses its connection to an Office 365 mailbox. Here's info about why disabling IPv6 on the network adapter might fix the problem. - [Google Changes Its Programs For Storing Photos And Files Online](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/09/google-changes-its-programs-for-storing-photos-and-files-online/) - Google has new programs for Windows and Mac computers to store photos and files online. Here's the info about Google Backup and Sync and Drive File Stream. - [Do Not Call The 800 Number!](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/09/do-not-call-the-800-number-2/) - If your computer displays a message while you are browsing the Internet claiming that you have been hacked or infected with a virus, it is a lie by criminals. - [Improved Calendar Sharing For Office 365 Users](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/08/improved-calendar-sharing-for-office-365-users/) - A tip for business Office 365 users: share your calendar in webmail instead of doing it from the Outlook desktop program. - [Create PDFs With Your Phone](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/08/create-pdfs-with-your-phone/) - There are several ways to create PDFs with your phone. Spend a few minutes deciding which one will work for you. Install it. Try it. Then don’t forget it. - [iPhone Tip: How To Make Sure Your Photos Are Backed Up](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/08/iphone-tip-how-to-make-sure-your-photos-are-backed-up/) - If you rely on Google Photos, OneDrive, or Dropbox to back up your photos from an iPhone, open those apps and make sure your photos are synced online. - [Bruceb Goes Off The Grid 08/14-08/20](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/08/bruceb-goes-off-the-grid-0814-0820/) - I will be on vacation and off the grid during the week of August 14th. I will not have cell phone service and at best might occasionally have an erratic and unreliable Internet connection, probably only at night. If you are a Bruceb Consulting client and need immediate assistance, contact Mike Cook, mike@mcsolutionsco.com, 707 827-1524. - [The Latest Microsoft Branding Failures](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/08/the-latest-microsoft-branding-failures/) - Some recent branding announcements make it clear that Microsoft chooses names by drawing slips of paper from a hat, with no regard for clarity or consistency. - [Feel The Excitement Of Windows 10 Shared Experiences](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/08/feel-the-excitement-of-windows-10-shared-experiences/) - Microsoft showed you an unexplained error message instructing you to fix your Microsoft account, which wasn’t broken, for a feature that does nothing. Sigh. - [Outlook And The Never-Ending Password Prompt](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/08/outlook-and-the-never-ending-password-prompt/) - Outlook is prompting some users for passwords over and over and over and over. Here's a frustrating story of a poorly-defined bug with no solution. - [The Case Of The Missing Eye](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/07/the-case-of-the-missing-eye/) - A terrifying tale of malicious email, bad guys, and creative misspellings. And tips on how to stay safe when you're reading your messages. - [A Possible Fix For The Excel Slow File Opening Bug](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/07/a-possible-fix-for-the-excel-slow-file-opening-bug/) - If you have a Dell computer, Excel might be opening slowly because of a conflict with the Realtek sound card. You're right - that makes no sense. - [The Fast And The Slow Of Windows 10 Updates](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/07/the-fast-and-the-slow-of-windows-10-updates/) - Microsoft has developed a bad habit of over-promising and under-delivering new Windows 10 features, and the update schedule is completely unpredictable. - [It’s Time To Improve Your Passwords! Scary Stories About The Bad Guys](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/07/its-time-to-improve-your-passwords-scary-stories-about-the-bad-guys/) - Wire transfer scams are on the upswing and the bad guys are after you. If your password is the name of your pet, it's time to step up your security! - [Amazon’s Secret Weapon Is Of Prime Importance](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/07/amazons-secret-weapon-is-of-prime-importance/) - Amazon Prime is already the most effective customer loyalty program ever created. It will get better as Amazon expands its scope. - [Google And The Quest For One True Answer](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/07/google-and-the-quest-for-one-true-answer/) - The European Union hit Google with a $2.7 billion fine last week, driven by fearful publishers and Yelp. The problem is that Google is doing what we want. - [Peeking Behind The Scenes At Spotify & The Music Industry](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/06/peeking-behind-the-scenes-at-spotify-and-the-music-industry/) - Spotify wants our loyalty so it can control our access to music. Increasingly that means it is promoting the agendas of major record companies. - [Google Photos Transforms Your Memories](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/06/google-photos-transforms-your-memories/) - Google Photos has the potential to transform our lives as profoundly as the Internet itself has changed our world in the last twenty years. - [Box Drive: The Next Step In Moving Files To The Cloud](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/06/box-drive-the-next-step-in-moving-files-to-the-cloud/) - Box Drive is a new program for browsing through all the files stored online in Box without any syncing. Dropbox & OneDrive will be introducing similar features. - [Windows 10 Tip: How To Make PDFs Open In Acrobat](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/06/windows-10-tip-how-to-make-pdfs-open-in-acrobat/) - A quick note for people who want to use Acrobat DC or Acrobat Reader to open PDFs, using “Set your default programs” in Control Panel. - [Microsoft Hides Control Panel For Your Own Good](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/06/microsoft-hides-control-panel-for-your-own-good/) - Microsoft removed Control Panel from the Windows 10 power user menu. It may annoy us, it may make us irritable, but shut up – it’s for our own good. - [My Favorite Technology Of 2017: Set Multiple Timers On An Amazon Echo](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/06/my-favorite-technology-of-2017-set-multiple-timers-on-an-amazon-echo/) - My favorite new technology: It’s practical and it meets a need. It’s easy. I can remember it. Amazon Echo & Google Home are the leading edge of important tech. - [What’s The Matter With Office?](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/05/whats-the-matter-with-office/) - Microsoft has decades of experience and a strong incentive to make the Office programs rock solid. So why aren’t they? - [Google Lens Might Be The Future Of Google, The Future Of Mobile, The Future Of Everything](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/05/google-lens-might-be-the-future-of-google-the-future-of-mobile-the-future-of-everything/) - Google Lens builds on Google’s strengths in search, takes advantage of its data collection and AI research, and has a clear business plan. - [WeChat, QR Codes, And The Future Of Mobile](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/05/wechat-qr-codes-and-the-future-of-mobile/) - China uses smartphones differently than anywhere else in the world. Every aspect of Chinese life – online and offline – is conducted through WeChat. - [Ransomware And Other Scary Monsters](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/05/ransomware-and-other-scary-monsters/) - You probably weren’t affected by the WannaCry ransomware attack, but you need to protect yourself against the other scary monsters in your email inbox. - [Surface Laptops And Lessons About Desperation](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/05/surface-laptops-and-lessons-about-desperation/) - Next month Microsoft will begin selling Surface Laptops. You won't buy one. They're overpriced & under-featured, and hobbled by the limited Windows 10 S. - [Windows 10 S Will Be Microsoft’s Next Failure](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/05/windows-s-will-be-microsofts-next-failure/) - Microsoft will soon release Windows 10 S, a new version of Windows 10. It won’t succeed. It’s not the future of Windows. - [You’ll Discover The Best Windows 10 Feature When You Give Away Your Computer](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/05/youll-discover-the-best-windows-10-feature-when-you-give-away-your-computer/) - With only a few clicks, you can reset your Windows 10 computer back to its brand-new condition when it was pulled out of the box. - [Windows 10 Tip: How To Check The Health Of Your Laptop Battery](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/04/windows-10-tip-how-to-check-the-health-of-your-laptop-battery/) - You can generate a Battery Report in Windows 10 filled with useful information, including data to help you decide if your laptop battery should be replaced. - [Windows 10 Cloud & Device Independence](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/04/windows-10-cloud-device-independence/) - On May 2 Microsoft will announce a new generation of Windows for low-cost computers targeted at education. Here are some things it needs to succeed. - [Technology Is Boring](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/04/technology-is-boring/) - Technology in 2017 is just a bit . . . dull. There’s not much going on. You hadn’t really thought about it but now that I mention it, you know it’s true, right? - [Microsoft Comes Unstuck In Time](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/04/microsoft-comes-unstuck-in-time/) - Microsoft can’t tell time. An odd Microsoft glitch has caused computers all over the world to show the wrong time on two different days. - [Twenty-Five Years Of Windows](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/04/twenty-five-years-of-windows/) - Windows 3.1 was released on April 6, 1992. Happy 25th birthday! Here are a few nostalgic memories of an exciting time in technology. - [How To Close A Hijacked Web Browser](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/04/how-to-close-a-hijacked-web-browser/) - If your computer is up to date, nothing bad has happened to your computer when a phony virus warning appears. Here's how to make the message disappear. - [What To Look For In The Next Major Windows 10 Update](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/03/what-to-look-for-in-the-next-major-windows-10-update/) - Microsoft will release the next major update for Windows 10 starting April 11. There’s something important to watch - and it’s not anything new in Windows 10. - [Gazing Into The Abyss: Republicans Are Selling Out Your Privacy](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/03/gazing-into-the-abyss-republicans-are-selling-out-your-privacy/) - Last week 50 Senate Republicans voted to eliminate broadband privacy rules and make it almost impossible for any such rules to be imposed in the future. - [Windows 10 And The Slow Devices And Printers Window](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/03/windows-10-and-the-slow-devices-and-printers-window/) - Sometimes it takes several minutes for the Devices & Printers window in Control Panel to fill in. It's maddening and there's no easy fix. - [Special! Windows 10! Now With More Ads! Unlimited Time Offer!](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/03/special-windows-10-now-with-more-ads-unlimited-time-offer/) - Microsoft is so desperate that it believes advertising in Windows 10 File Explorer will help. Instead it's making Microsoft's problems more difficult. - [Storing Business Files Online: Dropbox, Google & Box Are Sprinting While Microsoft Falls Behind](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/03/storing-business-files-online-dropbox-google-box-are-sprinting-while-microsoft-falls-behind/) - Microsoft is losing the race to store shared business files in the cloud. Recent announcements from Box, Dropbox & Google have pushed them far ahead. - [Windows 10 Tip: Drag Icons Into The Notification Area On The Taskbar](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/03/windows-10-tip-drag-icons-into-the-notification-area-on-the-taskbar/) - Want to see an icon in the notification area on the taskbar? Drag it from the overflow area and drop it where you want it. - [Modern Kaiseki And The Joy Of Cooking](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/03/modern-kaiseki-and-the-joy-of-cooking/) - An extraordinary meal by an amazing chef - a tale of food and family and passion. - [Apple Has Given Up On Computers](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/03/apple-has-given-up-on-computers/) - Apple’s computer division is a footnote on the Apple spreadsheet. Apple is letting Macs stagnate and keeping its focus firmly on iPhones, where the profits are. - [Google Gboard For iPhone: Swiping Is Better Than Typing](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/03/google-gboard-for-iphone-swiping-is-better-than-typing/) - Have you started swiping instead of typing? Google’s Gboard keyboard is perhaps the best iPhone keyboard yet. Here's what you need to know. - [Smart Contact Lenses And Our Science Fiction Future](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/02/smart-contact-lenses-and-our-science-fiction-future/) - Many companies are working on smart contact lenses, which might soon track medical info or bring augmented reality to life without a buky display. - [Security Warning: Be Suspicious Of Everything (Including Fonts)](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/02/security-warning-be-suspicious-of-everything-including-fonts/) - If a website displays a message that “The HoeflerText font wasn’t found” - it is a lie. If you click on the “Update” button, you will install ransomware. - [Tales Of The Unknown, Volume 17: Chrome Remote Desktop](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/02/tales-of-the-unknown-volume-17-chrome-remote-desktop/) - With Chrome Remote Desktop, you can control a Windows or Mac computer remotely from another Windows or Mac computer, an iPhone or iPad, or an Android device. - [Dropbox Finally Adds New Business Features](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/02/dropbox-finally-adds-new-business-features/) - Dropbox has become a worthy competitor to Box. Business customers can store shared company files in team folders, then browse using Smart Sync. - [Chromebooks Will Change The World (Someday. Not Today.)](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/02/chromebooks-will-change-the-world-someday-not-today/) - Chromebooks are poised to change the world. Delicately balanced. Teetering on the edge. Any day now, they’re going to take off. Whoosh! But not today. - [Google Chrome Gives You That Syncing Feeling](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/02/google-chrome-gives-you-that-syncing-feeling/) - A basic tip (but important if you don't know it): Google Chrome syncs open tabs, bookmarks, and browsing history to all your devices. - [Fujitsu ScanSnap iX500 Is Still The Best Small Business Scanner – Now With Extra Cloud](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/02/fujitsu-scansnap-ix500-is-still-the-best-small-business-scanner-now-with-extra-cloud/) - Fujitsu has made the best small business scanner for many years - fast, reliable, smart. Now there's a new option to send scans directly online. - [A Multitude Of Outlooks (And A Rant About Microsoft Names)](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/02/a-multitude-of-outlooks-and-a-rant-about-microsoft-names/) - Outlook is a mail program, webmail for business, an email address, 3 different mobile apps, a floor wax and a dessert topping. Microsoft has a name problem. - [What To Do When Outlook 2016 Is Stuck On “Processing”](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/01/what-to-do-when-outlook-2016-is-stuck-on-processing/) - Here's the story of an Outlook bug that is pointless and stupid and represents Microsoft carelessness at its worst. - [Rules For Computer And Online Safety 2017](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/01/rules-for-computer-and-online-safety-2017/) - Everyone should read this! Bad guys are coming up with inventive and sophisticated ways to fool us. Here are the rules to be safe. - [Start10 Is Your Friend - Install It And Keep It Up To Date](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/01/start10-is-your-friend-install-it-and-keep-it-up-to-date/) - Start10 is a five dollar program that replaces the Windows 10 Start menu with a start menu that looks exactly like Windows 7. Highly recommended! - [Beware Of The 5400 RPM Hard Drive!](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/01/beware-of-the-5400-rpm-hard-drive/) - Computer manufacturers are letting us down. Computers that seem fine may be hobbled by a detail buried in the small print. - [Shopping For Premium Business Laptops](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/01/shopping-for-premium-business-laptops/) - Here's what you need to know about the latest business laptops from Lenovo, Dell, HP, Asus, Samsung & more. Read this before you go shopping for a laptop! - [This Is The Year Of Premium Business Laptops](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/01/this-is-the-year-of-premium-business-laptops/) - Lovely new high-end laptops will go on sale in the next few months. Here's shopping tips and info about the new features that make them stand out. - [It’s Been Ten Years Since One Of The Most Significant Technology Inflection Points In History - And We Missed It](https://www.bruceb.com/2017/01/its-been-ten-years-since-one-of-the-most-significant-technology-inflection-points-in-history-and-we-missed-it/) - A startling number of the technology forces transforming our world were created or released in 2007. - [The 2016 Bruceb News Year In Review](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/12/the-2016-bruceb-news-year-in-review/) - Naturally you should read every article on Bruceb News in its entirety, but perhaps you were distracted. Here’s a selection of proven sleep aids. - [Happy Holidays From Bruceb Consulting!](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/12/happy-holidays-from-bruceb-consulting-8/) - The end of year technology report: 2016 was quite an unpleasant piece of work and 2017 will be worse. Microsoft screw-ups, security woes, & more! - [Why Windows 10 Won’t Connect To The Internet (Another Day, Another Microsoft Update Disaster)](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/12/why-windows-10-wont-connect-to-the-internet-another-day-another-microsoft-update-disaster/) - If your computer won’t connect to the Internet, you might have run into a new Windows bug. We don't know where it came from or how many people it has affected. - [Security Tip: Replace, Upgrade And Secure Your Router](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/12/security-tip-replace-upgrade-and-secure-your-router/) - Routers get old. They need to be updated to stay safe. And they're under attack by bad guys. Here are some tips to stay safe, along with a few scary stories. - [Microsoft Edge Sinks Into Irrelevance](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/12/microsoft-edge-sinks-into-irrelevance/) - Microsoft is losing the battle of the browsers. Edge was unfinished & unappealing when it was released, and it's still unfinished & unappealing a year later. - [Amazing Tales Of Phone Profits And Market Share](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/12/amazing-tales-of-phone-profits-and-market-share/) - A couple of numbers about Apple & Google for your entertainment. The numbers are 88 and 91. They’re not what you expect. It’s an interesting world. - [Windows 10 Tip: Reclaim Disk Space With New Storage Tools](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/11/windows-10-tip-reclaim-disk-space-with-new-storage-tools/) - Everybody wants more storage space on their hard drive. Windows 10 Anniversary Update adds a new way to reclaim space used by temporary files and old updates. - [How To Use Office Online For Fun And Profit](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/11/how-to-use-office-online-for-fun-and-profit/) - If you use Office programs on your computer & you have files stored in Box, Dropbox, or OneDrive, try the online versions of Word, Excel and Powerpoint. - [Google Adds Blue Skies And Photo Scans](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/11/google-adds-blue-skies-and-photo-scans/) - Google Photoscan is a new app for scanning old photos, and Google has improved editing in Google Photos. Your skies will always be blue. - [LastPass Emergency Access Provides Security For Trusted Family Members](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/11/lastpass-emergency-access-provides-security-for-trusted-family-members/) - LastPass Emergency Access is a safe way to give a trusted family member or friend access to your LastPass Vault if you become incapacitated or die. - [Beware Of The Baidu Links! Your Skype Account Might Be Hacked](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/11/beware-of-the-baidu-links-your-skype-account-might-be-hacked/) - If you get a link through Skype to "Baidu.com," don’t click on the link. If someone says you sent them a Baidu link, your Skype account has been hacked. - [Quickbooks Moves Inexorably To The Cloud](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/11/quickbooks-moves-inexorably-to-the-cloud/) - Quickbooks Online is growing, Quickbooks Desktop is shrinking. Here's a snapshot of Intuit's move to the cloud. - [This Is Not America](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/11/this-is-not-america/) - The little peace in me Will die For this is not America Blossom fails to bloom this season Promise not to stare Too long For this is not the miracle This is not America . . . ← Previous PostNext Post → - [Office 365 Business Plans Now Include Access](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/11/office-365-business-plans-now-include-access/) - Microsoft Access will be included with the other Office programs in the Office 365 Business and Business Premium plans, starting next month. - [LastPass Is Now Free On All Devices](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/11/lastpass-is-now-free-on-all-devices/) - LastPass announced this week that it is now free to use on all your devices, including computers, phones and tablets. I've got tips to help you get started. - [Thunderbolt And Lightning, Very Very Frightening](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/10/thunderbolt-and-lightning-very-very-frightening/) - This is not about Bohemian Rhapsody. It's about new ports on laptops and phones - Thunderbolt, USB-C & Lightning. Wait! Come back! It's really interesting! - [HP Spectre X360 Joins The Best Business Laptops](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/10/hp-spectre-x360-joins-the-best-business-laptops/) - The HP Spectre X360 joins the small group of the best business laptops. Here are shopping tips for laptops that are perfect - and specs to help everyone shop. - [Microsoft’s Enterprise Products Are Literally Overwhelming](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/10/microsofts-enterprise-products-are-literally-overwhelming/) - Microsoft has plans to add a dizzying number of new enterprise-focused services. Office 365 is already complex & will be getting more duplicative & redundant. - [Yahoo Is Dangerous And Endangered](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/10/yahoo-is-dangerous-and-endangered/) - Yahoo is in free fall - 500 million accounts hacked, govt spying, and a collapsing sale of the company. Here's background and tips if you have a Yahoo account. - [Photo Management For Computer Users In A Mobile World](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/10/photo-management-for-computer-users-in-a-mobile-world/) - Buried in photos? Not sure about how to view them on your new computer? Here are some tips about working with photos in a changing world. - [Chromebooks Gain But Google Isn’t Talking](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/10/chromebooks-gain-but-google-isnt-talking/) - Chromebook sales are up, new models are coming soon - but Google isn't pushing them and appears to be distracted by a shiny new project. - [Use Splashtop For Remote Access To Office Computers](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/10/use-splashtop-for-remote-access-to-office-computers/) - Splashtop is the best choice for remote access to office computers -affordable, works well, has an easy learning curve, and works on many types of devices - [Understanding Microsoft Work And Personal Accounts](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/06/finding-your-way-through-microsofts-maze-of-work-and-personal-accounts/) - Microsoft has two different types of accounts - work & personal. Many of you have credentials for both. This is the guide you've needed to figure them out. - [Personal Computers Are Just Too Hard To Use, And It Isn’t Your Fault](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/05/personal-computers-are-just-too-hard-to-use-and-it-isnt-your-fault/) - Computers should be getting easier to use, because that’s our fundamental need. Instead they're getting more fragile. It's no surprise that PC sales are down. - [Amazing! Oxy-Iso Glasses Help With Red-Green Colorblindness](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/08/amazing-oxy-iso-glasses-cure-red-green-colorblindness/) - (UPDATE: There's updated and more accurate information in this 2024 article. In 2013 I used the word "cure" but that's not the right term. Read the 2024 article for a clearer perspective.) These two photos look identical to me. This isn’t about computers, but indulge me for a moment. This is extraordinary technology and might - [How To Change The Login For Your Microsoft Account (And Why You Should)](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/06/how-to-change-the-login-for-your-microsoft-account-and-why-you-should/) - It's confusing to use the same email address to log into Microsoft’s overlapping personal and business services. Here's an answer that might work for some of you. - [You Might Not Want To Know How Much Google Knows About You](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/10/you-might-not-want-to-know-how-much-google-knows-about-you/) - You have a vague idea that Google knows a lot about you. You’re right. Google will show you everything it has collected about you. It’s a bit . . . creepy. - [The Windows 10 Anniversary Update Update](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/10/the-windows-10-anniversary-update-update/) - Microsoft began rolling out the Anniversary Update to many Windows 10 PCs last week, long after you'd forgotten about it. There have been problems. - [Spotify Daily Mix: Better Playlists Through Algorithms](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/09/spotify-daily-mix-better-playlists-through-algorithms/) - If you’re a regular Spotify listener, you’ve got to check out the new Daily Mix playlists. If you're not already a subscriber, there's a new reason to sign up. - [Stylish Desktop PCs Are Just Myths, Right?](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/09/stylish-desktop-pcs-are-just-myths-right/) - Desktop PC sales are down but HP, Lenovo and Dell have forged on with some innovative, creative PC designs for home and business. - [Don’t Answer The Phone! And Other Advice About Robocalls](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/09/dont-answer-the-phone-and-other-advice-about-robocalls/) - It's not your imagination. Robocalls are on the increase. Don't pick up calls from unfamiliar numbers. Don't engage, just hang up when you recognize a robocall. - [Microsoft Starts To Untangle Microsoft Accounts And Office 365 Business Accounts](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/09/microsoft-starts-to-untangle-microsoft-accounts-and-office-365-business-accounts/) - Microsoft is taking steps to reduce the confusion between its personal & business accounts. It has a long way to go. - [Amplifi! Orbi! Luma! Eero! And Other Words About Wi-Fi](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/09/amplifi-orbi-luma-eero-and-other-words-about-wi-fi/) - Simple new devices are coming to market to extend the range of our home & small business Wi-Fi networks. Mesh networks are in your future. - [Google Chrome Steps Up With Improved Battery Life, Material Design](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/09/google-chrome-steps-up-with-improved-battery-life-material-design/) - The new version of Chrome last week has power improvements and a flatter design. Like it or not, Google is driving our technology world in 2016. - [You Can’t Escape From A Ninja](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/09/you-cant-escape-from-a-ninja/) - If you are targeted for surveillance, there is nothing you can do to prevent it. How can governments or bad guys spy on you? Money. Big money. - [Security Warning: The Bad Guy’s Get Smarter (And Learn Spellling And Grammar)](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/09/security-warning-the-bad-guys-get-smarter-and-learn-spellling-and-grammar/) - You’d better bring your best proofreading skills – and possibly a magnifying glass – to scrutinize your email messages before you click on a link. - [Microsoft May Not Recover From Losing Our Trust](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/08/microsoft-may-not-recover-from-losing-our-trust/) - Thoughts on the long, slow decline of Windows: self-inflicted errors are causing Microsoft to lose our trust. - [Updates From Microsoft Spiral Out Of Control](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/08/updates-from-microsoft-spiral-out-of-control/) - Problems caused by Windows 10 Anniversary Update are causing an erosion of trust. In Win10, MS took control of the update process - and it's not going well. - [Prisma Turns Your Photos Into Works Of Art](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/08/prisma-turns-your-photos-into-works-of-art/) - Prisma is a free app for iOS and Android that turns your photos into works of art in seconds. It might be a novelty, but it’s a great novelty. - [Google Duo And Communication Overload](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/08/google-duo-and-communication-overload/) - Google Duo is a new simple app for video chats - like FaceTime but it works on both Android & iOS. It joins a crowded landscape of too many chat apps. - [Security Tip: Hover Over Links Before You Click](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/08/security-tip-hover-over-links-before-you-click/) - Security tip: Don’t click on links to websites unless you know exactly where you are going! - [Improvements to Windows Defender In Windows 10 Anniversary Update](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/08/improvements-to-windows-defender-in-windows-10-anniversary-update/) - Windows Defender is the antivirus program included free with Windows 10. The Anniversary Update brings back the comforting taskbar icon & other improvements. - [Upgrade Your Computer With A Solid State Drive](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/08/upgrade-your-computer-with-a-solid-state-drive/) - Prices have dropped on solid state drives, and Windows 10 installs like lightning. Your old desktop PC can get a serious boost for as little as $100. - [Logging In With A PIN Is Easier Than A Password–And Safer, Too!](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/08/logging-in-with-a-pin-is-easier-than-a-password-and-safer-too/) - Windows 10 allows you to log in with a PIN. It's faster & easier than a password - and it's safer, too. This tip will make your life easier! - [What You Need To Know About Windows 10 Anniversary Update](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/08/what-you-need-to-know-about-windows-10-anniversary-update/) - Everything you need to know: What is the Windows 10 Anniversary Update? When will you get it? What's new? Any snarky examples of things that look stupid? - [What Are All Those Unfamiliar Tiles In Your Office 365 Menu?](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/08/what-are-all-those-unfamiliar-tiles-in-your-office-365-menu/) - A quick look at some of the less familiar services in Office 365 - everything from business collaboration to a free service to share vacation photos. - [Augmented Reality: You’ve Been Using It All Along](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/07/augmented-reality-youve-been-using-it-all-along/) - There's an example of augmented reality that you’ve accepted routinely for almost twenty years. The NFL first down line is a fabulous yellow line. - [Pokémon Go And The Future In Front Of Your Face](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/07/pokmon-go-and-the-future-in-front-of-your-face/) - That Squirtle on the screen is your first exposure to augmented reality, new technology that will change our world. Here's where we're going. - [What To Do When Excel Opens . . . Very . . . Slowly . . .](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/07/what-to-do-when-excel-opens-very-slowly/) - On some computers, double-clicking to open a spreadsheet is followed by a 30-60 second delay before Excel starts. It's an interesting bug with no clear fix. - [Windows Tip: Drag And Drop With The Right Mouse Button](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/07/windows-tip-drag-and-drop-with-the-right-mouse-button/) - This is the best Windows tip you’ve gotten in years: always use the right mouse button to drag and drop. Here's the explanation of why it helps so much. - [The Pain Of Windows 10 Updates](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/07/the-pain-of-windows-10-updates/) - Windows 10 updates are driving me crazy. Here's some griping about unexpected restarts, then a suggestion that might ease the pain. - [Scan Documents And Create PDFs With Your Phone](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/07/scan-documents-and-create-pdfs-with-your-phone/) - It's easy now to use your phone for quick scans and to create PDFs on the fly. Here's the latest on apps from Microsoft, Box, Dropbox & Google. - [The Future Is Full Of Chromebooks](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/07/the-future-is-full-of-chromebooks/) - We’re on the verge of huge disruption in the technology industry. Sales of Chromebooks will skyrocket starting later this year. Here's what you need to know. - [Procrastinator Alert: Last Chance For Windows 10 Upgrades](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/07/procrastinator-alert-last-chance-for-windows-10-upgrades/) - The latest Windows 10 news: free upgrades end soon, upgrade notices are easier to decline, and the Anniversary Update is coming. Here's what you need to know! - [As Ignorable As It Is Interesting: Increase Productivity With The Sounds You Won’t Hear](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/06/as-ignorable-as-it-is-interesting-increase-productivity-with-the-sounds-you-wont-hear/) - Ambient music and sounds can increase your productivity. Here are some apps and music selections that might be the best thing you’ve ever ignored. - [Microsoft, LinkedIn, And Identity Management](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/06/microsoft-linkedin-and-identity-management/) - Here are the reasons that Microsoft bought LinkedIn. One of them - identity management - hasn't been discussed much but might turn out to affect everyone. - [Outlook 2016 And The Mysterious Disappearing Folder Pane](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/06/outlook-2016-and-the-mysterious-disappearing-folder-pane/) - Don't panic if the left column of folders and shortcuts disappears in Outlook 2016! It's a bug. Here's the story and how to fix it. - [Shopping For A New PC? Look For Signature Edition](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/06/shopping-for-a-new-pc-look-for-signature-edition/) - Signature Edition PCs are shipped with Windows 10 – and nothing else. Windows works like a dream. Nothing crashes. Here are the details about how to find them. - [How To Improve Your Password Security](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/06/how-to-improve-your-password-security/) - We’re drowning in passwords – and they’re crucially important. You have no choice. You have to develop good password habits. Here are some practical tips. - [The Lesson You Need To Learn From The TeamViewer Hack](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/06/the-lesson-you-need-to-learn-from-the-teamviewer-hack/) - You may not be directly affected by the Teamviewer breach in the news, but you should learn an important lesson: Don’t re-use the same password over and over! - [Windows 10 Tip: How To Change The Network Type From Public To Private](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/06/windows-10-tip-how-to-change-the-network-type-from-public-to-private/) - Windows treats public and private networks differently. Here's how to switch from one to the other - and why it's an important part of being secure. - [How To Configure Windows 10](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/05/how-to-configure-windows-10/) - Upgraded to Windows 10? New computer? This is the guide you need – how to configure Windows 10 to smooth out its rough edges and make the most of its new features. - [Microsoft Uses Malware Tactics To Push Windows 10](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/05/microsoft-uses-malware-tactics-to-push-windows-10/) - Microsoft's latest change to the Windows 10 upgrade notices is deceitful and indefensible. Microsoft is burning through people’s trust and earning ill will. - [The World Is All Facebook, All The Time](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/05/the-world-is-all-facebook-all-the-time/) - People around the world spend on average more than 50 minutes a day using Facebook. It is monopolizing our attention and disrupting our world in unexpected ways. - [Office 365 And The Sharing Problem](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/05/office-365-and-the-sharing-problem/) - You can’t see Office 365 shared calendars or shared contacts on your phone. It's a strange hole in Microsoft's most popular cloud service. - [Lenovo Sets The Bar High For Business-Class Computing](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/05/lenovo-sets-the-bar-high-for-business-class-computing/) - it’s passé to care about laptop design these days but Lenovo's X1 lineup - laptop, convertible, tablet, all-in-one - is special. - [It’s Now Or Never For Windows 10 Upgrades](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/05/its-now-or-never-for-windows-10-upgrades/) - Free upgrades to Windows 10 end July 29. Some of you should stop procrastinating and upgrade your PCs. Here are all the details. - [Cloudy With A Chance Of Failure–The Continuing Saga Of OneDrive For Business](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/05/cloudy-with-a-chance-of-failure-the-continuing-saga-of-onedrive-for-business/) - OneDrive For Business is in disarray. Here's the latest on the sync client, and why it's not the right choice for shared company files. - [No One Wants A Chromebook For Business, Right?](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/05/no-one-wants-a-chromebook-for-business-right/) - One is an aberration. Two is a coincidence. Three is a trend. The appearance of three new Chromebooks aimed at businesses signals an important trend. - [How Long Should You Keep Your Computer?](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/04/how-long-should-you-keep-your-computer/) - The standard advice until recently was to plan to buy a new computer every three years. Things have changed. Here are guidelines about how long to keep a PC. - [Track Your Credit Cards With LastPass Secure Notes](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/04/track-your-credit-cards-with-lastpass-secure-notes/) - You should be tracking your credit card info and the accounts they're linked to. Here's a system for doing that with LastPass Secure Notes. - [Microsoft Edge Is Windows 10’s Biggest Mistake](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/04/microsoft-edge-is-windows-10s-biggest-mistake/) - Microsoft Edge is a terrible browser. If Microsoft delivers all the planned updates for it, it will still be inferior to Google Chrome in almost every way. - [You’re Not Paranoid If They’re Really After You](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/04/youre-not-paranoid-if-theyre-really-after-you/) - Here's a roundup of some of the latest reasons that you should be absolutely terrified when you sit down at a computer. - [Intuit Quietly Sells Quicken To Private Equity Firm](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/04/intuit-quietly-sells-quicken-to-private-equity-firm/) - Intuit has sold the Quicken program to an equity capital firm. Who knows? Maybe it's good news for Quicken users. Here are all the details - [Putting Your Finger On The Next Big Technology Trend](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/04/putting-your-finger-on-the-next-big-technology-trend/) - Microsoft is extending support for fingerprint recognition to web apps and programs on your Windows 10 PC. Here's why that's a big deal. - [Apple And The Ever Multiplying Devices](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/04/apple-and-the-ever-multiplying-devices/) - Until recently, Apple’s business strategy was to release only a few devices but make each one special and highly anticipated. That's changed. Here's the story. - [Apple And The Quest For The Next Big Thing](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/04/apple-and-the-quest-for-the-next-big-thing/) - Let’s take a broad look at Apple’s business strategy - where it's been & where it's going. It will make it easier to know where its new iPhone & iPad fit. - [Finally! A Simple Way To Prevent Windows 10 Upgrades](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/04/finally-a-simple-way-to-prevent-windows-10-upgrades/) - Never10 is a tiny program from security researcher Steve Gibson that will remove Windows 10 upgrade notices and prevent unwanted upgrades with a single click. - [A New Google Chrome Trick To Amaze And Delight You](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/03/a-new-google-chrome-trick-to-amaze-and-delight-you/) - Chrome lets you pin a website to the taskbar. Doesn’t sound like much, does it? Let me tell you how it’s done, then tell you why it’s such a swell trick. - [Is LastPass Causing Internet Explorer To Crash?](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/03/is-lastpass-causing-internet-explorer-to-crash/) - A lot has happened with LastPass – an acquisition, a new version of the program, a redesigned logo, and some new problems running LastPass in Internet Explorer. - [Why An SSD Is The Most Important Part Of Your Next Computer](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/03/why-an-ssd-is-the-most-important-part-of-your-next-computer/) - A solid state hard drive (SSD) changes the performance of a computer more than any other single component in the history of personal computing. - [Three Reasons That Google Should Be Your Next Phone Carrier](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/03/three-reasons-that-google-should-be-your-next-phone-carrier/) - Google Project Fi is simple, elegant & cheap phone service. The new Nexus phones are among the best Android phones on the market. And Google is having a sale! - [Windows 10 Tip: Turn On System Restore! (Because You’ll Really Miss It If You Need It And It’s Not There)](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/03/windows-10-tip-turn-on-system-restore-because-youll-really-miss-it-if-you-need-it-and-its-not-there/) - System Restore is turned off by default in Windows 10. It’s not used often but it’s absolutely crucial when you need it. Here are the instructions you need. - [Windows 10 Upgrades Are Starting To Happen Without Permission](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/03/windows-10-upgrades-are-starting-to-happen-without-permission/) - Clients are reporting Windows 10 upgrades that happened without their agreement. How rude! Here's what you should do if it happens to you. - [The Decline Of Internet Explorer](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/03/the-decline-of-internet-explorer/) - Market share for Internet Explorer is going down fast. Google Chrome is the Internet browser being chosen by more people every year. Here's the story. - [Do Not Call The 800 Number!](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/03/do-not-call-the-800-number/) - If your computer displays a message claiming that you have a virus, it is a lie by criminals. Do not call the 800 number! Here's the info you need. - [Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid: Locky Is Coming To Steal Your Files](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/02/be-afraid-be-very-afraid-locky-is-coming-to-steal-your-files/) - Locky is the latest virus sweeping the globe. Click on the wrong button and all your files will be encrypted and held for ransom. Here's all the info you need. - [The Real Stakes In The Apple vs FBI Standoff](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/02/the-real-stakes-in-the-apple-vs-fbi-standoff/) - You haven't gotten the whole story. Here's what you need to know about the FBI’s demand that Apple provide custom access to a terrorist’s locked iPhone. - [The Ignored, Unloved Windows Store](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/02/the-ignored-unloved-windows-store/) - Microsoft hopes that the Windows Store will help build a new ecosystem for developers, individuals, businesses and game-players. It's not going well. - [Box Adds Document Scanning With Box Capture](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/02/box-adds-document-scanning-with-box-capture/) - Box Capture is an iOS app for document scanning that integrates directly into your business processes and provides unmatched security features. - [Another One Bites The Dust: Say Goodbye To Picasa](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/02/another-one-bites-the-dust-say-goodbye-to-picasa/) - Picasa will be shut down in the next few months. Here's the story, and some suggestions about what to use to organize your photos. - [Windows 10 Tip: How To Stop Windows 10 From Changing The Default Printer](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/02/windows-10-tip-how-to-stop-windows-10-from-changing-the-default-printer/) - Windows 10 changes your default printer to be the last one that you used. If that doesn't suit you, here's how to turn it off. - [Box Is Now Seamlessly Integrated With Windows And Office](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/02/box-is-now-seamlessly-integrated-with-windows-and-office/) - Box is now completely integrated with Windows & Office programs. You can work on files stored in Box in any way that feels comfortable. Here are the details. - [Scam Alert: Beware Of Chinese Domain Emails](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/02/scam-alert-beware-of-chinese-domain-emails/) - If you get an email urging you to take fast action because your business domain name is about to be registered by someone in China, throw it away. It’s a scam. - [Should You Upgrade To Windows 10? The Verdict At Six Months](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/01/should-you-upgrade-to-windows-10-the-verdict-at-six-months/) - Windows 10 is six months old. We are halfway through the free upgrade period. Here's the info you need to decide if you should upgrade. - [Explore Art Collections, Relive Historic Moments, And Visit World Wonders With Google Cultural Institute](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/01/explore-art-collections-relive-historic-moments-and-visit-world-wonders-with-google-cultural-institute/) - Google Cultural Institute brings more than a thousand museums and cultural institutions to your screen - a vast and varied collection to explore. - [The Ultimate Guide To Configuring Windows 10](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/01/the-ultimate-guide-to-configuring-windows-10/) - Running Windows 10? This is the guide you need – tips for your Windows 10 computer to smooth out its rough edges and make the most of its new features. - [Simple Photo Editing From Adobe](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/01/simple-photo-editing-from-adobe/) - Adobe Photoshop Express & Adobe Post are free photo apps that combine power and simplicity in just the right proportions. Here's the info you need. - [Rules For Computer Safety 2016](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/01/rules-for-computer-safety-2016/) - These are the rules for being safe using a Windows computer in 2016 - computers, phones, online safety, antivirus programs, adware, passwords & more - [Outlook Is The Best Mail & Calendar App For iOS](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/01/outlook-is-the-best-mail-calendar-app-for-ios/) - Microsoft Outlook for iOS is a free app for managing email, calendars, and contacts. It's better than the built-in apps that came with the phone. - [R.I.P. David Bowie](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/01/r-i-p-david-bowie/) - We’ve lost other rock icons, there are some bad days to come when more of them leave us. Bowie was special. I’ll miss him. Here are a few memories. - [Improved Monitoring And Patching With Bruceb Remote Management](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/01/improved-monitoring-and-patching-with-bruceb-remote-management/) - Bruceb Remote Management monitors your computers and keeps them up to date. It will be more reliable and valuable in 2016. Here are the details. - [The Best Laptop You Can Buy: Lenovo Updates The Thinkpad X1 Carbon For 2016](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/01/the-best-laptop-you-can-buy-lenovo-updates-the-thinkpad-x1-carbon-for-2016/) - Lenovo announced this year’s update for the Thinkpad X1 Carbon, the best business laptop, plus an unexpected addition to the Thinkpad X1 lineup. - [Another Way To Disable Windows 10 Upgrade Notices](https://www.bruceb.com/2016/01/another-way-to-disable-windows-10-upgrade-notices/) - GWX Control Panel turns off Windows 10 upgrade prompts with a single click. Here's some background about why you might want to use it. - [Season’s Greetings From Bruceb Consulting!](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/12/seasons-greetings-from-bruceb-consulting/) - A look back at the technology that defined 2015 and some predictions about what to expect in 2016 - laptops & tablets & the cloud & virtual reality, oh my! - [The Last Windows 10 Tip Of The Year: How To Sign Out](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/12/the-last-windows-10-tip-of-the-year-how-to-sign-out/) - You're ready to log off and go home. All you need to do is figure out how to sign out of Windows 10. Here's the super-secret trick. - [Windows 10 Tip: Find A Lost Laptop](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/12/windows-10-tip-find-a-lost-laptop/) - Find My Device is a new feature in the Windows 10 November update that can help you find a lost or stolen laptop. Here's how to turn it on. - [Why Are PDFs Opening In The Edge Browser? And Other Windows 10 Default Annoyances](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/12/why-are-pdfs-opening-in-the-edge-browser-and-other-windows-10-default-annoyances/) - Microsoft makes the Edge browser open PDF files by default when you upgrade to Windows 10. You probably don't want that. Here's how to put it right. - [OneDrive Update: Easier Setup In Windows 10, Plus The Mystery Of OneDrive For Business](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/12/onedrive-update-easier-setup-in-windows-10-plus-the-mystery-of-onedrive-for-business/) - The latest OneDrive news: use OneDrive in Windows 10 as the default location for your documents and pictures; meanwhile OneDrive For Business is still a mess. - [Windows 10 Tip: How To Clean Up The Navigation Pane In File Explorer](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/12/windows-10-tip-how-to-clean-up-the-navigation-pane-in-file-explorer/) - Windows 10 File Explorer is cluttered with features you might not be using. Here are five tips to streamline it and make Windows 10 work better for you. - [Danger! Alarm! Panic! The Bad Guys Step Up Their Attacks](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/11/danger-alarm-panic-the-bad-guys-step-up-their-attacks/) - We're deluged with virus-laden email attachments & links to malicious websites. Here are some stories to curl your hair & remind you to be careful out there. - [An Amazing iPhone App You’re Not Using (But You Should Be)](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/11/an-amazing-iphone-app-youre-not-using-but-you-should-be/) - myEcho is an iPhone app that can take your dictation and insert it into any Windows program. It's remarkably accurate and easy to use. - [How You Can Make This A Special Holiday Season](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/11/how-you-can-make-this-a-special-holiday-season/) - A simple click when you sit down to shop will help make this the best holiday season ever. Well, for me, anyway. You'll get my gratitude. That's good, right? - [The Best New Feature In Windows 10 Is . . . A Swipe](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/11/the-best-new-feature-in-windows-10-is-a-swipe/) - Swiping from the left on a touchscreen brings up Task View, a new way to switch among programs. It's a thing of beauty that will make life easier. - [The Future For Quickbooks Is Cloudy](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/11/the-future-of-quickbooks-is-cloudy/) - Intuit is going to pressure you to give up the familiar desktop version of QuickBooks Pro that’s been running your business for years. Here are the details. - [Your Windows 10 Upgrade Is Ready](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/11/your-windows-10-upgrade-is-ready/) - Microsoft is about to release a major update for Windows 10. If you are going to upgrade, it’s now safer to do that. Click here for all the details. - [Intuit’s Plans For Quicken And Quickbooks Aren’t What You Expect](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/11/intuits-plans-for-quicken-and-quickbooks-arent-what-you-expect/) - Quicken and Quickbooks are among our oldest friends on desktop computers. Here are the details about Intuit's plans for them - not what you expect. - [Ten Ways To Make Windows 10 More Lovable](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/11/ten-ways-to-make-windows-10-more-lovable/) - Here are ten ways to make Windows 10 more lovable - customize the Start menu, make Edge disappear, check privacy settings, and more. - [Six Things You Must Do Before Upgrading To Windows 10](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/11/six-things-you-must-do-before-you-upgrade-to-windows-10/) - It’s time for you to get ready. Sorry to be a nag, but there are six things you must do before you upgrade a computer to Windows 10. - [Ten Annoying Things About Windows 10 (Part 2)](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/10/ten-annoying-things-about-windows-10-part-2/) - Control Panel vs. Settings, clutter in File Explorer, and smiley faces - five more reasons that Windows 10 makes me a bit crazy. - [Ten Annoying Things About Windows 10 (Part 1)](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/10/ten-annoying-things-about-windows-10-part-1/) - I love Windows 10 but there are some things about it that make me irritable. Here's a rundown of some of the problems you should know about before you upgrade. - [You’ll Never Guess The Most Important Feature Of The iPhone 6s](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/10/youll-never-guess-the-most-important-feature-of-the-iphone-6s/) - It's the fingerprint reader. There's a disruptive technology shift coming as we learn new routines for using online services and paying for daily purchases. - [How To Remove The Windows 10 Upgrade Notices](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/10/how-to-remove-the-windows-10-upgrade-notice/) - If you don’t intend to upgrade your Windows 7 or 8 computer to Windows 10, these instructions will help you remove the Windows 10 upgrade notices. - [Windows 10 Upgrade: Did I Say October? I Meant November](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/10/windows-10-upgrade-did-i-say-october-i-meant-november/) - Microsoft has delayed the release of the first service pack for Windows 10 until November. Here are the reasons to wait for it - and maybe not upgrade at all. - [Dell XPS 13 And XPS 15: The Great Laptops You Can Afford](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/10/dell-xps-13-and-xps-15-the-great-laptops-you-can-afford/) - Dell's XPS 13 & 15 laptops feature beautiful screens with disappearing bezels, plus Skylake processors and extended battery life. Here are the details. - [Microsoft Surface Book–The Ultimate Laptop, With A Secret Trick](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/10/microsoft-surface-bookthe-ultimate-laptop-with-a-secret-trick/) - Microsoft introduced the Surface Book, a new 13.5" laptop with extraordinary specs - and a secret trick that makes it different from any other laptop. - [Easy To Do Lists With Wunderlist](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/10/easy-to-do-lists-with-wunderlist/) - Wunderlist makes it easy to manage to do lists on iPhones, Android phones, tablets, Windows and Mac computers, and on the web. Oh, and it’s free. - [Windows 10 Upgrade Tip: Uninstall Start8 Before Upgrading](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/10/windows-10-upgrade-tip-uninstall-start8-before-upgrading/) - There's a bug that causes taskbar icons to disappear if the Start8 utility is running when a Windows 8 computer is upgraded to Windows 10. - [Office 2016 Is Now Available! Well, For Some Of You, Anyway](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/09/office-2016-is-now-available-well-for-some-of-you-anyway/) - Most of you will get the Office 2016 upgrade automatically. Most of you won’t care very much. Here's all the details. - [Ad Blocking Part 2: The Good, The Bad, And The Death Of The Internet](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/09/ad-blocking-part-2-the-good-the-bad-and-the-death-of-the-internet/) - The Internet has to be paid for. Use an ad blocker & you're making life more difficult for the websites that make the web interesting. - [Ad Blocking: The Good, The Bad, And The Death Of The Internet](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/09/ad-blocking-the-good-the-bad-and-the-death-of-the-internet/) - Ads on websites are out of control. Here's why ad blocking is such a contentious issue, and why it may change the shape of the web for all of us. - [Windows 10 Tip: Make The Edge Browser Disappear Until It’s Finished](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/09/windows-10-tip-make-the-edge-browser-disappear-until-its-finished/) - Do your Windows 10 web browsing with Google Chrome or Internet Explorer (yes, it’s still there) until Edge is more finished, probably in October/November. - [Microsoft Is Not Playing Nicely With Your Internet Connection](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/09/microsoft-is-not-playing-nicely-with-your-internet-connection/) - Microsoft’s eagerness to push Windows 10 upgrades is causing it to use poor judgment. Here are details about two ways it's using your bandwidth inappropriately. - [Apple Innovates With The SurfacePad Pro](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/09/apple-innovates-with-the-surfacepad-pro/) - Apple displayed its originality and innovation with the announcement of the iPad Pro. Oh, wait, that was Microsoft being original. Apple is just copying. - [Why You Should Wait Until October To Buy A Laptop](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/09/why-you-should-wait-until-october-to-buy-a-laptop/) - In October the market will be flooded with new laptops, powered by a new generation of Intel processor. If it’s convenient, wait a month or two to buy new computers. - [Wire Transfer Scam: The Bad Guys Are Getting Smarter](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/09/wire-transfer-scam-the-bad-guys-are-getting-smarter/) - The bad guys are getting smarter and working harder. You thought you were paranoid already? Here’s a story that will send a chill down your spine. - [Why I Can’t Install Windows 10 For You](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/08/why-i-cant-install-windows-10-for-you/) - Windows 10 upgrades take hours to complete and most of the work happens offline. Here's why you'll be on your own when it's time to click the upgrade button. - [Windows 10 Tip: Print To PDF Is Now Built Into Windows](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/08/windows-10-tip-print-to-pdf-is-now-built-in-to-windows/) - Windows 10 finally includes a “Print To PDF” driver, allowing you to create PDFs from most programs without Acrobat or any other third-party program. - [Outlook Tip: Save Replies In Same Folder As Original Message](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/08/outlook-tip-save-replies-in-same-folder-as-original-message/) - A simple change in Outlook will result in your replies being filed automatically in the same folder as the original messages instead of in Sent Mail. - [When Should You Upgrade To Windows 10?](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/08/when-should-you-upgrade-to-windows-10/) - Spoiler alert! When should you upgrade to Windows 10? October. Here's the info you need. - [Should You Upgrade To Windows 10?](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/08/should-you-upgrade-to-windows-10/) - Here's the common sense info you need to decide if this upgrade is a good fit for you and your computer. Not everyone should push the upgrade button! - [What’s New In Windows 10?](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/08/whats-new-in-windows-10/) - Windows 10 is the operating system that wants to be loved. Will any of its new features matter to you? Here's the info you need. - [Slouching Towards Armageddon: Hacking Phones, Cars, PCs, Macs, And More](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/08/slouching-towards-armageddon-hacking-phones-cars-pcs-macs-and-more/) - The security hacks into our computers have turned out to be the tip of the iceberg; here are stories about the constant stream of new vulnerabilities. - [Spotify Is Creating A Personalized Mixtape For You Every Week](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/08/spotify-is-creating-a-personalized-mixtape-for-you-every-week/) - Each week, Spotify creates a personalized playlist, Discover Weekly, with thirty songs on it, tailored specifically to your taste in music. - [Windows 10 Tip: Four Ways To Customize The Start Menu](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/08/windows-10-tip-four-ways-to-customize-the-start-menu/) - Microsoft believes the Windows 10 Start menu blends the best of the Windows 7 Start menu & the Windows 8 Start screen. Here's what to do if you disagree. - [Windows 10 Launches! But Not For You, Not For Thirty Days](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/07/windows-10-launches-but-not-for-you-not-for-thirty-days/) - You may see the Windows 10 upgrade notice on your computer, but don't upgrade for 30-60 days. Here's a collection of reviews that all suggest patience. - [Office 2016 For Mac Now Available For Office 365 Subscribers](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/07/office-2016-for-mac-now-available-for-office-365-subscribers-2/) - Microsoft has released Office 2016 For Mac, a long overdue refresh of the Office programs for Mac. The Office programs are available to Office 365 subscribers. - [The Future Of Windows Mobile: Windows 10 And Continuum](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/07/the-future-of-windows-mobile-windows-10-and-continuum/) - Microsoft is going to announce that it can put a computer in every pocket - smartphones that turn into computers, using windows 10 technology named Continuum. - [Not All Technology Bubbles Are Expanding](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/07/not-all-technology-bubbles-are-expanding/) - News about companies and products that are either failing or not living up to expectations - Apple Watch, Samsung, streaming music, Hololens, and more! - [Major Office 365 Mail Outage On Wednesday](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/07/major-office-365-mail-outage-on-wednesday/) - Microsoft’s Exchange-based Office 365 mail system went down for four hours on Wednesday afternoon. Service has been fully restored. No mail was lost. - [R.I.P. Windows Phone](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/07/r-i-p-windows-phone/) - Big bets don't always pay off. Here's some background about just how big a bet Microsoft made as it tried to create a 3d platform to compete with Android & iOS. - [Emergency Update For Adobe Flash, Which Is Having A Really Bad Year](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/07/emergency-update-for-adobe-flash-which-is-having-a-really-bad-year/) - Hackers got an unexpected present this week: a vulnerability in Adobe Flash that can be used to break into PCs. Here's what you need to know to be safe. - [Microsoft Will Delay Your Windows 10 Upgrade For You](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/07/microsoft-will-delay-your-windows-10-upgrade-for-you/) - Microsoft is reneging on its promise to deliver Windows 10 to you on July 29. By the time the upgrade notice appears it might be safe to click on it. - [Do Not Upgrade To Windows 10!](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/07/do-not-upgrade-to-windows-10/) - Do not – do NOT – upgrade your computer to Windows 10 for at least 30-60 days after it launches. Here's the story of how Windows 10 killed my laptop. - [Windows 10–The Best Version Of Windows Ever, Free](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/06/windows-10the-best-version-of-windows-ever-free/) - Windows 10 will be released on July 29 as a free upgrade for all Windows 7 & 8 computers. You should look forward to it. It’s all good news. - [Office Everywhere–Word, Excel, Powerpoint Now Available For Android Phones](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/06/office-everywhereword-excel-powerpoint-now-available-for-android-phones/) - The first phase of Microsoft’s Office Everywhere strategy is now complete; the Office programs are now available on every platform, large and small. - [Some Cool Google Chrome Tricks](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/06/some-cool-google-chrome-tricks/) - A few tricks for Chrome users to manage tabs, do site searches from the Omnibox, view page history, do math without leaving the browser, and more. - [Skype For Modern Windows Is Retired, Skype In A Web Browser Is Released](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/06/skype-for-modern-windows-is-retired-skype-in-a-web-browser-is-released/) - Changes for Skype: a poorly-designed version of Skype for Windows 8 is being discontinued, a new version of Skype that runs in a web browser is now available. - [Don’t Panic! LastPass Has Been Hacked, But Only A Little](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/06/dont-panic-lastpass-has-been-hacked-but-only-a-little/) - There are many things to worry about in this world. The LastPass hack is not one of them. The bad guys don't have your passwords. Here's the explanation. - [Dropbox, Box Integration Extends Reach Of Office Everywhere](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/06/dropbox-box-integration-extends-reach-of-office-everywhere/) - You can edit your files with Office regardless of what cloud service you use to store your files - now with new connections to Office Online. - [The Threat That Nearly Destroyed Microsoft Office](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/06/the-threat-that-nearly-destroyed-microsoft-office/) - Loyalty to the Office programs was on the verge of crumbling with blinding speed. Here's the story of how Microsoft made them seem inevitable again. - [Upload Your Photos To Google: Trade Privacy For Big Rewards](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/06/upload-your-photos-to-google-trade-privacy-for-big-rewards/) - Google is giving away the ability to relive our memories in a way that requires no effort, with tremendous rewards. Giving up privacy is worth the price. - [What Would Happen If Microsoft Killed A Program And No One Noticed? The Sad Story Of MSN Travel](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/06/what-would-happen-if-microsoft-killed-a-program-and-no-one-noticed-the-sad-story-of-msn-travel/) - A month ago Microsoft gutted MSN Travel, one of the showcase apps for Windows 8 and Windows Phone. The proof that it was never used is that no one noticed. - [What You Need To Know About Windows 10 Upgrades](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/05/microsoft-begins-windows-10-upgrade-notifications/) - You may see a new Windows icon appear in your taskbar soon, alerting you to the upcoming release of Windows 10. Here’s what you need to know! - [Google Takes The Lead In The Battle For Your Photos](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/05/google-takes-the-lead-in-the-battle-for-your-photos/) - Google Photos is a new standalone service with the best mobile photo app yet for Android and iOS, plus unlimited free online storage of your pictures. - [The Windows 10 Start Menu Is A Cluttered Mess](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/05/the-windows-10-start-menu-is-a-cluttered-mess/) - Windows 10 looks great - except for the redesigned Start menu. And user reaction to the Start screen was largely responsible for the downfall of Windows 8. - [Office 365 Clutter Will Help You Control Your Mail](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/05/office-365-clutter-will-help-you-control-your-mail/) - Next month Microsoft will turn on Clutter for everyone with an Office 365 business mailbox. It will help you focus on your important messages. - [Blue Apron Will Make You Feel Like A Chef](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/05/blue-apron-will-make-you-feel-like-a-chef/) - Blue Apron delivers a weekly box with recipes and ingredients for three dinners for two people. It has changed our diet and improved our cooking skills. - [Restart Your Computer To Finish Patch Tuesday](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/05/restart-your-computer-to-finish-patch-tuesday/) - Restart your computer an extra time, just in case it helps finish this week's Patch Tuesday updates. Critical updates this week from Adobe and Firefox as well. - [OneDrive For Business And Microsoft’s Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/05/onedrive-for-business-and-microsofts-great-big-beautiful-tomorrow/) - Microsoft's roadmap makes it clear that OneDrive and OneDrive For Business are still going to be confusing and messy for at least another year. - [Internet Explorer Will Begin Blocking The Worst Adware](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/05/internet-explorer-will-begin-blocking-the-worst-adware/) - The SmartScreen Filter in Internet Explorer will be updated in June to protect you against online advertising that might harm your computer. - [Get Outlook 2013 For Better Performance With Large Mailboxes](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/05/get-outlook-2013-for-better-performance-with-large-mailboxes/) - If you have a large Office 365 mailbox, a new feature in Outlook 2013 – the “sync slider” - might improve performance significantly. - [How To Make Google Happy (Mobile Edition)](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/04/how-to-make-google-happy-mobile-edition/) - If Google doesn't think your website is "mobile friendly," then it will rank lower in search results. Here's what that means for small businesses. - [The 3M Precise Mouse Pad Is My Favorite $7 Accessory](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/04/the-3m-precise-mouse-pad-is-my-favorite-7-accessory/) - The 3M Precise Mouse Pad is ultrathin, extends wireless mouse battery life, and has repositional adhesive on the back - not bad for $7! - [How To Speed Up Your Slow Computer](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/04/how-to-speed-up-your-slow-computer/) - Installing a solid state hard drive in place of a conventional hard drive will make more of a difference to your day-to-day experience than any other component. - [Adobe Releases New Version Of Acrobat 12 - um, “Acrobat DC”](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/04/adobe-releases-new-version-of-acrobat-12-um-acrobat-dc/) - Adobe has released Acrobat DC, a new version of Acrobat with a completely revamped look and lots of Features You Probably Won’t Use™. - [It’s Magic! Turn Your Phone Into A Scanner With Office Lens](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/04/its-magic-turn-your-phone-into-a-scanner-with-office-lens/) - Office Lens is a free app that turns your phone into a scanner, able to easily capture documents, business cards, receipts, whiteboards, & more. - [How To Defend Yourself Against Adware & Malware](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/04/how-to-defend-yourself-against-adware-malware/) - Operating a computer in 2015 requires you to be paranoid all the time when you’re reading email or browsing the web. Here are some tips to avoid the bad guys. - [Microsoft Surface 3 Might Be The Low-Priced Laptop/Tablet You’ve Been Waiting For](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/04/microsoft-surface-3-might-be-the-low-priced-laptoptablet-youve-been-waiting-for/) - The new Microsoft Surface 3 combines the good qualities of the Surface Pro 3 with a dramatically lower price tag. - [Introducing Bruceb Remote Access](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/04/introducing-bruceb-remote-access/) - Bruceb Remote Access is a low-priced alternative to LogMein for remote access to your home or office computers. - [Leaving LogMeIn](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/04/leaving-logmein/) - LogMeIn makes the best known remote access program in the world. I'm leaving after unreasonable price increases and underhanded business practices. - [Use The Space Bar To Scroll Up And Down Web Pages](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/03/use-the-space-bar-to-scroll-up-and-down-web-pages/) - You can go through long web pages without moving your hand to the mouse or to the page-up and page-down keys. - [OneNote Clipper Is The Best Way To Save Web Pages (And OneNote Keeps Getting Better)](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/03/onenote-clipper-is-the-best-way-to-save-web-pages-and-onenote-keeps-getting-better/) - An update to OneNote Clipper has made it the easiest and best way to save content from the web. (And OneNote keeps getting better.) - [USB-C: One Port To Rule Them All](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/03/usb-c-one-port-to-rule-them-all/) - The next generation of USB is a big step forward. USB-C is so much more versatile than existing ports that it can replace most of them. - [Windows Phone Fades Into Insignificance](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/03/windows-phone-fades-into-insignificance/) - The news in the last few weeks has been a series of hammer blows to Windows Phone. Microsoft's mobile platform is not deceased but it is remarkably close. - [Eliminate Crapware With Signature Edition PCs](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/03/eliminate-crapware-with-signature-edition-pcs/) - When you’re shopping for a new computer, take a look at the Microsoft store for Signature Edition PCs - same computers, no crapware. - [What I Did On My Spring Break](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/03/what-i-did-on-my-spring-break/) - Back from vacation! Here are a few pictures if you want to be sure that I was using my time wisely, and some notes about how I overpacked on technology for international travel. - [Let Your Eyes Relax With f.lux](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/02/let-your-eyes-relax-with-f-lux/) - f.lux is a free program that adjusts the display on your monitor to match the lighting to the time of day. Your eyes will appreciate it. - [Even More Alarming Security Threats](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/02/even-more-alarming-security-threats/) - The latest threats to your security come from the good guys. Our technology is firmly in the grip of governments and advertisers watching our every move. - [Behind The Scenes: Restarts And A Work Stoppage](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/02/behind-the-scenes-restarts-and-a-work-stoppage/) - Some notes about why my clients’ computers have been restarting in the middle of the day, and advance notice of next week’s work stoppage at Bruceb Consulting. - [Using HP Scan & Capture To Create PDFs From Your Scanner](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/02/using-hp-scan-capture-to-create-pdfs-from-your-scanner/) - HP Scan and Capture is a free app for Windows 8.1 that can create PDFs from scanned documents – if your computer and scanner meet the requirements. - [Anthem Hack Has Bad Guys Descending To New Depths](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/02/anthem-hack-has-bad-guys-descending-to-new-depths/) - Hackers stole personal information for 80 million customers of Anthem, the second-largest health insurer in the country. And that's not the worst part. - [Getting Started With Android: The Wide World Of Apps](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/02/getting-started-with-android-the-wide-world-of-apps/) - A few useful apps - replacements for the stock camera, photo gallery, and keyboard apps, plus a few more utilities you might not have tried. - [Getting Started With Android: Reading & Listening](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/02/getting-started-with-android-reading-listening/) - A few of the Android apps I like for reading and listening - Kindle, Twitter, Spotify, podcasts, music, news and more! - [The Joy Of Audible Audiobooks](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/02/the-joy-of-audible-audiobooks/) - Audible has taken over the audiobook business and is one of the bright spots in the publishing industry. Here are some tips about how to get started. - [Share Kindle Books With Amazon Family Library](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/01/share-kindle-books-with-amazon-family-library/) - Here are instructions for setting up Amazon Family Library so you can share Kindle books with your spouse. - [Rules For Computer Safety 2015](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/01/rules-for-computer-safety-2015/) - The rules for being safe using a Windows computer in 2015: computers, phones & tablets, online safety, antivirus programs, adware, passwords, & phone scams. - [Windows 10 And The Evolution Of Personal Technology (Now With Holograms!)](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/01/windows-10-and-the-evolution-of-personal-technology-now-with-holograms/) - Microsoft demonstrated many exciting new Windows 10 features - and an amazing set of holographic glasses. Here's some background so you know where it all fits. - [Getting Started With Android: Office 365 Mail](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/01/getting-started-with-android-office-365-mail/) - Some notes on Acompli, OWA for Android, Touchdown, and other Android apps for Office 365 mailboxes. - [Security Warning: Be Alert For Amazon Scam Email](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/01/security-warning-be-alert-for-amazon-scam-email/) - A phony Amazon email highlights the need to be paranoid and hover over links before clicking on them. Here's an important security technique. - [New Dell XPS 13 Signals A Good Year For Laptops](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/01/new-dell-xps-13-signals-a-good-year-for-laptops/) - Dell is selling a new 2015 version of the XPS 13 laptop that represents Dell’s return to form after years of ho-hum products. - [Thinkpad X1 Carbon 2015–The Perfect Laptop Gets Better](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/01/thinkpad-x1-carbon-2015the-perfect-laptop-gets-better/) - The 2015 Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon is perfect. It has everything that a business user wants. It comes at a premium price but perfection has a price. - [OnePlus One - The Best Android Phone You’ve Never Heard Of](https://www.bruceb.com/2015/01/oneplus-one-the-best-android-phone-youve-never-heard-of/) - The OnePlus One is one of the best phones on the market, holding its own against the iPhone 6 and leading Android phones. Here's everything you need to know. - [Happy Holidays From Bruceb Consulting!](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/12/happy-holidays-from-bruceb-consulting-7/) - Season's greetings! Forget the hackers and the crashes. Instead, think about the ways that technology can improve our lives. We’ll see some of that in 2015. - [Microsoft And The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/12/microsoft-and-the-great-big-beautiful-tomorrow/) - Microsoft's message in 2015: we may not have the products you want right now, but just wait – better products are coming. Eventually. - [HERE And There In The World Of Mobile Maps](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/12/here-and-there-in-the-world-of-mobile-maps/) - Here's why the announcement of improvements in the HERE Maps app for Windows Phone is less important than the general availability of HERE Maps for Android. - [A Few Shopping Ideas (And A Plea For Help)](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/12/a-few-shopping-ideas-and-a-plea-for-help/) - Here are a few tech gift shopping ideas. Can I ask you to start your Amazon shopping from a link on Bruceb.com? For the children? - [Sony Hack Might Be The Worst Cyberattack Ever](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/12/sony-hack-might-be-the-worst-cyberattack-ever/) - The Sony hacking attack might be the most significant corporate intrusion in history – and the first salvo in an escalation of govt and business cyberattacks. - [Three Reasons Why I No Longer Recommend Windows Phone](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/11/three-reasons-why-i-no-longer-recommend-windows-phone/) - When Windows Phone 8 was released 2 years ago, there was a chance Microsoft would improve it quickly and developers would come on board. It hasn't worked. - [Windows 8 Tip: How To Delete PDFs Without Throwing Your Computer Out The Window](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/11/windows-8-tip-how-to-delete-pdfs-without-throwing-your-computer-out-the-window/) - Try to delete a PDF from File Explorer in Windows 8 and you'll likely get an error message. Here are two tricks to get past the error. - [More Updates From Microsoft On Not-Patch-Tuesday](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/11/more-updates-from-microsoft-on-not-patch-tuesday/) - In addition to the out-of-band server security patch, Microsoft released a massive update for Windows 8.1 and a firmware update for Surface Pro 3 this week. - [Microsoft Issues Out-Of-Band Update To Prevent Global Chaos](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/11/microsoft-issues-out-of-band-update-to-prevent-global-chaos/) - Microsoft only issues an “out-of-band” update when a potentially nasty threat is being exploited by the bad guys in the wild – and this is very nasty indeed. - [Create Installation Media For Windows 8.1](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/11/create-installation-media-for-windows-8-1/) - Microsoft has made it easy to download and create an install disk or USB drive for Windows 8.1. - [Is Microsoft Abandoning Windows Phone?](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/11/is-microsoft-abandoning-windows-phone/) - Microsoft is well-positioned to let Windows Phone wither away, because its ecosystem is well established on iOS and Android. - [Windows 8 Tip: How To Play DVDs In Windows 8](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/11/windows-8-tip-how-to-play-dvds-in-windows-8/) - Windows 8 does not include built-in support for playing movies from a DVD. Here's some info about your options if you can’t play a movie. - [Crazy Eddie Sale On Microsoft Office–They’re Giving It Away!](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/11/crazy-eddie-sale-on-microsoft-officetheyre-giving-it-away/) - Microsoft unexpectedly announced that the Office apps on iPad, iPhone and Android devices can now be used for free without an Office 365 subscription. - [What The Deal Between Dropbox And Microsoft Really Means](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/11/what-the-deal-between-dropbox-and-microsoft-really-means/) - Dropbox & Microsoft unexpectedly announced a partnership. We can learn a lot from the deal about Microsoft’s business strategy and what to expect in the future. - [Remove Adware From Chrome With Software Removal Tool](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/11/remove-adware-from-chrome-with-software-removal-tool/) - Google has released a Software Removal Tool that resets Chrome back to its default settings, removes extensions, and scans for bad software. - [Microsoft Changes The Game With Unlimited OneDrive Storage](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/10/microsoft-changes-the-game-with-unlimited-onedrive-storage/) - Microsoft left Dropbox and Google Drive in the dust when it announced that all Office 365 customers will get unlimited OneDrive storage at no additional cost. - [Price Reduced For New Office 365 Business Plans](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/10/price-reduced-for-new-office-365-business-plans/) - Small businesses can now choose new, cheaper plans for Office 365. - [Ninite Makes It Painless To Install Windows Programs](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/10/ninite-makes-it-painless-to-install-windows-programs/) - Ninite.com is a free service that installs Windows programs quickly and without adware. - [Getting Started With Box.com](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/10/getting-started-with-box-com/) - There are four apps that most business users will want to install to access and share company files with Box.com. - [Moving Company Files To The Cloud: Box.com Rides To The Rescue](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/10/moving-company-files-to-the-cloud-box-com-rides-to-the-rescue/) - Box.com has matured into a service that meets the needs of small businesses and law firms for online file storage of shared company files. - [Moving Company Files To The Cloud: The Problem With OneDrive For Business](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/10/moving-company-files-to-the-cloud-the-problem-with-onedrive-for-business/) - Small businesses and law firms are ready to move their documents to the cloud. OneDrive for Business looks like it ought to be the right answer – but isn’t. - [Windows 8 Tip: Three Cool Wallpaper Tricks For Dual Monitors](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/10/windows-8-tip-three-cool-wallpaper-tricks-for-dual-monitors/) - Set different pictures on each monitor, display a panoramic picture across both monitors, run a slideshow, and more Windows 8 tips for dual monitors! - [Bluetooth Takes Center Stage](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/10/bluetooth-takes-center-stage/) - Now that we’re using phones & tablets as our primary technology devices, Bluetooth is turning up everywhere. Some examples: keyboards/mice, speakers, & cars. - [The Blind Men, The Elephant, And Windows 10](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/10/the-blind-men-the-elephant-and-windows-10/) - Microsoft intends Windows 10 to be different things to different people, changing to work naturally on devices of all sizes and types. - [Skype Basics: What It Does And How To Install It](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/09/skype-basics-what-it-does-and-how-to-install-it/) - A basic description of Skype - two programs on Windows 8, two ways to log in, and many ways to use it. - [Apple’s No Good, Very Bad Day](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/09/apples-no-good-very-bad-day/) - Videos showed that the iPhone 6 Plus can be bent easily - and that was Apple’s second-biggest problem on Wednesday. - [15Gb Bonus OneDrive Storage Space! Free! Limited Time Only!](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/09/15gb-bonus-onedrive-storage-space-free-limited-time-only/) - For a limited time, you can get an extra 15Gb of OneDrive storage space free. Install the OneDrive app on your phone and auto upload your photos for the bonus. - [Luxury Reading With The Kindle Voyage, And Other Amazon Mistakes](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/09/luxury-reading-with-the-kindle-voyage-and-other-amazon-mistakes/) - Amazon has been making some odd product decisions lately. The latest is the Kindle Voyage, a modest improvement over the Paperwhite for too high a price. - [Windows 8 Tip: Explore the Bing Apps (Soon To Be “MSN Apps”)](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/09/windows-8-tip-explore-the-bing-apps-soon-to-be-msn-apps/) - The six Bing apps included with Windows 8.1 are beautiful, best-of-class apps with rich content - soon to be available for iOS and Android. - [Surface Pro 3 Firmware Update Fixes Wi-Fi Issues](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/09/surface-pro-3-firmware-update-fixes-wi-fi-issues/) - Surface Pro 3 owners are getting an important firmware update to fix a number of small but noticeable problems with Wi-Fi, overheating, Type Cover & more. - [Office 365 Tip: How To Set Up And Wipe Mobile Devices](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/09/office-365-tip-how-to-set-up-and-wipe-mobile-devices/) - Here are some quick tips to help you set up Office 365 mail on a smartphone – and how to wipe the mailbox from a device if it’s lost or stolen. - [Microsoft, Google And The Race To The Bottom](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/09/microsoft-google-and-the-race-to-the-bottom/) - Microsoft and Google are encouraging manufacturers to sell ultra-cheap phones, tablets and computers. And some of those cheap devices won’t suck. - [Dropbox Lowers Prices, Still Comes Out Behind OneDrive](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/09/dropbox-lowers-prices-still-comes-out-behind-onedrive/) - Dropbox lowered its price for 1Tb of online file storage but Microsoft offers far more value for the same price. - [Bigger iPhones, New Android & Windows Phones, And Selfie Sticks](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/08/get-ready-for-a-flood-of-new-phones/) - Here’s a roundup of some of the phones that will be arriving soon - new iPhones, more Android phones than you can count, and new Windows phones. - [The Confusing World Of Video–VGA, DVI, HDMI & DisplayPort](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/08/the-confusing-world-of-videovga-dvi-hdmi-displayport/) - It’s increasingly likely that you won’t be able to set up the monitor configuration you want without frustrating trips to Amazon searching for the right adapter. - [It’s Not The Device, It’s The (Expanding) Ecosystem](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/08/its-not-the-device-its-the-expanding-ecosystem/) - Apple & Google are working on new devices & services to keep you in their ecosystems, with the hope that you will stay with them as you buy more devices. - [It’s An Android World! Is There Any Hope For Windows Phone?](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/08/its-an-android-world-is-there-any-hope-for-windows-phone/) - Eighty-five percent of smartphones shipped in the second quarter of 2014 were running Android. Can Windows Phone survive? - [Internet Explorer Will Start Blocking Old Java Plugins](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/08/internet-explorer-will-start-blocking-old-java-plugins/) - This week’s Patch Tuesday updates included a security update that will block old, insecure versions of Java and other outdated ActiveX controls. - [The Best Thin And Light Windows Laptops You Can Buy Now](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/08/the-best-thin-and-light-windows-laptops-you-can-buy-now/) - Here are some shopping tips about the best Windows laptops on the market today - why you want to spend more than $1000, and the specific models you want. - [How To Install Windows 8.1 on a Dell Optiplex Computer](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/08/how-to-install-windows-8-1-on-a-dell-optiplex-computer/) - Dell sells its business desktop computers with Windows 7 pre-installed. Instead of a sticker on the case, the Windows 8 license is embedded in the BIOS. - [Windows 8 Tip: Five Ways To Make Windows 8.1 Feel More Familiar](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/08/windows-8-tip-five-ways-to-make-windows-8-1-feel-more-familiar/) - Here are five tweaks for Windows 8.1 that make it more comfortable for keyboard and mouse users. - [Bruceb Attends A Conference July 25-August 2](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/07/bruceb-attends-a-conference-july-25-august-2/) - I'll be out of town during the week of July 28, staring at the beach in Hanalei and trying not to gloat when you call. - [Windows Tip: Seven Shortcuts That You Don’t Know About](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/07/windows-tip-seven-shortcuts-that-you-dont-know-about/) - There’s always room for a few new Windows tricks, right? Here are some little-known ways to speed things up in Windows 7 and 8. - [The Return Of X1 Search](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/07/the-return-of-x1-search/) - X1 indexes all your files and everything in Outlook and does lightning-fast searches. It's a step up from Windows Search for busy office professionals. - [Windows Phone 8.1 Update Arriving Soon](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/07/windows-phone-8-1-update-arriving-soon/) - Windows Phone 8.1, a major update to Microsoft’s phone OS, will be rolled out to Windows Phone users over the next few weeks. Here's what you need to know. - [New Office 365 Plans: Good News And Bad News](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/07/new-office-365-plans-good-news-and-bad-news/) - Microsoft is revamping its Office 365 plans for small businesses. Good news: the new plans are improvements. Bad news: the lineup is more confusing than ever. - [Increase Security By Removing Local Admin Privileges From Employees](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/07/increase-security-by-removing-local-admin-privileges-from-employees/) - Small businesses can reduce the amount of adware and malware and cruddy software on office computers by removing local administrator rights from employees. - [OneNote Tip: Clip A Web Page By Mailing A Link To Me@OneNote.com](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/07/onenote-tip-clip-a-web-page-by-mailing-a-link-to-meonenote-com/) - If you send an email to me@onenote.com with a link to a webpage, a screenshot of the webpage will automatically be added to your Quick Notes in OneNote. - [Why InstantGo Is The Next Buzzword You Need To Know](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/07/why-instantgo-is-the-next-buzzword-you-need-to-know/) - InstantGo makes a Windows 8 laptop wake up instantly. While it’s asleep, the computer updates email, Skype and more, while using virtually no battery power. - [Bruceb Backup Pro Now Available](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/07/bruceb-backup-pro-now-available/) - Bruceb Backup Pro is now available for small offices, combining ShadowProtect and Bruceb Cloud Backup for maximum protection and fast crisis recovery - - [Going Paperless: The Joy Of Fujitsu ScanSnap iX500 Scanners](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/06/going-paperless-the-joy-of-fujitsu-scansnap-ix500-scanners/) - Offices are stepping up their efforts to go paperless. The Fujitsu ScanSnap iX500 is magic, the best tool for desktop scanning. Here are some setup tips. - [Still More Free OneDrive Storage. Can Dropbox survive?](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/06/still-more-free-onedrive-storage-can-dropbox-survive/) - Microsoft increased the amount of free OneDrive storage space, and reduced prices for additional space. Dropbox is starting to look like an anachronism. - [Bruceb Cloud Backup: Unlimited Storage Space, Unlimited Computers](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/06/bruceb-cloud-backup-unlimited-storage-space-unlimited-computers/) - For a single low price, the Bruceb Cloud Backup program can be installed on all your computers with unlimited Amazon S3 storage space for your backed-up files. - [Two New OneNote Tricks (And A Rise In The Corporate Hierarchy)](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/06/two-new-onenote-tricks-and-a-rise-in-the-corporate-hierarchy/) - Here are a couple of new OneNote tricks, and a look at the corporate reorganization that reflects the high regard for OneNote in the halls of Microsoft. - [Comcast Turning Homes Into Public WiFi Hotspots](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/06/comcast-turning-homes-into-public-wifi-hotspots/) - Comcast is expanding its free WiFi network by turning home routers into public hotspots. It’s a little-known benefit of being a Comcast customer. - [The Return Of Cryptolocker](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/06/the-return-of-cryptolocker/) - Cryptolocker is arguably the worst virus we have ever faced. It’s back. Here's background and info about its resurgence, and tips to protect yourself. - [How To Buy Adobe Acrobat XI](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/06/how-to-buy-adobe-acrobat-xi/) - Here are a couple of ways to get Adobe Acrobat XI - and some tips for navigating the Adobe store and installing the program after you subscribe. - [An Overview Of Bruceb Backup Pro](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/06/an-overview-of-bruceb-backup-pro/) - Bruceb Backup Pro is intended to meet the challenge of business continuity with backups that are secure, redundant, and focused on disaster recovery. - [Meeting The Challenge Of Business Continuity](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/06/meeting-the-challenge-of-business-continuity/) - Business continuity is a process to ensure that your business will be able to recover within a reasonably short time after a serious disaster. - [Monitor Your Google Rank With KnowMyRankings.com](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/05/monitor-your-google-rank-with-knowmyrankings-com/) - KnowMyRankings.com is a simple and elegant tool for anyone who wants to know how their website ranks in Google searches. - [Microsoft Surface Pro 3 Is The First True Laptop/Tablet Hybrid](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/05/microsoft-surface-pro-3-is-the-first-true-laptoptablet-hybrid/) - Microsoft Surface Pro 3 has a 12” screen and the power of a laptop, combined with a detachable keyboard and the thin and light characteristics of a tablet. - [The Curse Of Downtime: A Story From Real Life](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/05/the-curse-of-downtime-a-story-from-real-life/) - Servers fail without warning sometimes. This is what happened in a law office last month when the server failed. - [The Curse Of Downtime: What Happens When Your Server Fails?](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/05/the-curse-of-downtime-what-happens-when-your-server-fails/) - You’ve come in on Monday morning and the server is down. The power won’t turn on, or there’s an error on the bootup screen. It’s dead. What happens next? - [The Curse Of Downtime: Backups Aren’t Always Sufficient Protection](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/05/the-curse-of-downtime-backups-arent-always-sufficient-protection/) - In a crisis, backups are not always sufficient to contain the damage to your business. You also need a strategy to minimize downtime. - [The Curse Of Downtime: Preface](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/05/the-curse-of-downtime-preface/) - Perhaps you think it would be acceptable if the office server goes down for a couple of days. It won't be. We've been focusing on the wrong problem. - [Windows 8 Tip: Install Windows 8.1 Now!](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/05/windows-8-tip-install-windows-8-1-now/) - Every Windows 8 user should be running Windows 8.1 and getting the benefits of its changes and updates, especially keyboard and mouse users. - [The Shrinking World Of Hard Drives](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/05/the-shrinking-world-of-hard-drives/) - Here’s a visual image to help you keep track of the ever-shrinking world of data storage. (1) Number 1 is a conventional hard drive, referred to as a 3 1/2” drive because that’s the diameter of the spinning disk inside. The case actually measures four inches across, just under six inches tall, an inch deep. - [Speed Up Your Slow Laptop With An SSD](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/05/speed-up-your-slow-laptop-with-an-ssd/) - Laptops fly when they have a solid state hard drive (SSD) instead of a conventional hard drive. It makes more of a difference than the processor or the memory. - [Spotify Is The Best Way To Listen To Music](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/05/spotify-is-the-best-way-to-listen-to-music/) - Technology is causing another shift in the way we listen to music. There’s no right or wrong answer but Spotify has some advantages over the other choices. - [Windows 8.1 Tip: Display Photos On Your Lock Screen](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/04/windows-8-1-tip-display-photos-on-your-lock-screen/) - Windows 8.1 can display a slide show of your photos on the lock screen. It’s a surprisingly fun distraction if you have an ever-expanding collection of photos. - [Microsoft (Still) Does Not Call To Fix Your PC](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/04/microsoft-still-does-not-call-to-fix-your-pc/) - There is a resurgence of fraudulent phone calls from criminals trying to steal your credit card and install malware on your computer. Be careful! - [The Rising Price Of Search Engine Optimization](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/04/the-rising-price-of-search-engine-optimization/) - Small businesses have been priced out of the SEO process and are no longer able to compete with the in-house SEO teams and large budgets of larger companies. - [Tales From The Trenches: Upgrades Gone Wrong](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/04/tales-from-the-trenches-upgrades-gone-wrong/) - Here’s a story about small business technology in 2014. It’s a long story & there’s no moral and no villain (except for Adobe, in the surprise twist at the end.) - [Three Tips For Changing Your Password](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/04/three-tips-for-changing-your-password/) - That weak password you use everywhere is protecting your finances, your business, your identity and your computer, Here are three tips to ease the pain. - [The Two Things You Need To Know About The Heartbleed Bug](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/04/two-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-heartbleed-bug/) - There are two things you need to know about the Heartbleed bug. Both of them are true. Your reaction will depend on how you weigh these two things. - [Learn Windows 8.1 From Paul Thurrott’s Windows 8.1 Field Guide](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/04/learn-windows-8-1-from-paul-thurrotts-windows-8-1-field-guide/) - Paul Thurrott's Windows 8.1 Field Guide is highly recommended for anyone who wants a clearly written book about what’s new and changed in Windows 8. - [The Evolution Of Windows 8 For Keyboard & Mouse Users](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/04/the-evolution-of-windows-8-for-keyboard-mouse-users/) - Windows 8.1 computers are getting a significant update on Patch Tuesday, part of a continuing effort to improve Windows 8 for keyboard and mouse users. - [How To License And Install Microsoft Office](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/04/how-to-license-and-install-microsoft-office/) - Here’s a guide to buying a license for Microsoft Office and a description of what Office programs and apps are available for computers, tablets, and phones. - [Microsoft Office Is Everywhere (Now Including iPads)](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/03/microsoft-office-is-everywhere-now-including-ipads/) - The release of Office for iPad makes an iPad a better productivity tool, and helps Microsoft ensure that Office continues to be the dominant business tool. - [The Week In OneNote News: Free On All Platforms, New Companion Apps](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/03/the-week-in-onenote-news-free-on-all-platforms-new-companion-apps/) - OneNote is now free everywhere - PCs, Macs, and all phones & tablets. There are new apps to clip web pages, add notes by email, and turn phones into scanners. - [Tiny Computing With The Intel NUC](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/03/tiny-computing-with-the-intel-nuc/) - The Intel NUC is a powerful, full-featured computer stuffed into a four-inch square box that weighs eighteen ounces, great for living rooms and even offices. - [Dell Latitude 13 Laptop Is Rugged And Cheap](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/03/dell-latitude-13-laptop-is-rugged-and-cheap/) - The sturdy new Dell Latitude 13 is marketed as an “Education Series laptop” for classrooms. The tough construction makes it a good choice for parents and others. - [How To Survive The Adware Assault](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/03/how-to-survive-the-adware-assault/) - We are being assaulted by adware – programs installed by stealth and deceit by advertisers who do not care if they are unwelcome. Here are some tips about it. - [Windows XP Computers Must Be Taken Out Of Service Now](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/03/windows-xp-computers-must-be-taken-out-of-service-now/) - If you haven’t taken Windows XP computers out of service by April 2014, you will be vulnerable to data theft, identity theft, PC vandalism, viruses, and malware. - [Microsoft OneNote Will Be Free Everywhere (Even On Macs)](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/03/microsoft-onenote-will-be-free-everywhere-even-on-macs/) - OneNote is Microsoft's cross-platform note-taking program. Microsoft plans to raise its profile and make it free everywhere, including a new Mac version. - [Windows 8 Tip: Rename Your Accounts In Mail App](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/03/windows-8-tip-rename-your-accounts-in-mail-app/) - Here’s a trick that makes it easier to keep track of the different accounts set up on your Windows 8 tablet or computer. - [Change Is Difficult! (Or, What Happened To Google Maps?)](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/03/change-is-difficult-or-what-happened-to-google-maps/) - Google Maps has a completely new look - a huge amount of information packed into a new interface. Many people find it confusing and frustrating. - [Should You Buy A Windows Phone?](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/03/should-you-buy-a-windows-phone/) - Nokia makes the best designed phones on the market and Windows Phone 8 is ahead of Android and iOS for design and usability. Here are some thoughts about apps. - [A Few New Computers (And A Couple Of Tablets)](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/02/a-few-new-computers-and-a-couple-of-tablets/) - In the market for a new desktop computer? Laptop? Tablet? Good luck! There are way too many choices. Here are a few shopping tips, in case it helps. - [How To Convert A PDF Into An Editable Word Document](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/02/how-to-convert-a-pdf-into-an-editable-word-document/) - Here are four ways to edit the contents of a PDF file in Microsoft Word, including a couple that you don’t know about - and one that's completely free. - [Microsoft Continues Rebranding With Office Online](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/02/microsoft-continues-rebranding-with-office-online/) - The online versions of Office programs are now named Office Online, easily reached at www.office.com. There's a confusing bit for Office 365 subscribers. - [OneDrive Arrives As The Cross-Platform Solution](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/02/onedrive-arrives-as-the-cross-platform-solution/) - OneDrive officially replaced SkyDrive worldwide today, With apps on all devices, it has become the most flexible cross-platform online file service. - [Easy Access To Notebooks At OneNote.com](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/02/easy-access-to-notebooks-at-onenote-com/) - Microsoft has updated OneNote.com as the first step in a broader rebranding and refreshing of the web versions of all the Office programs. - [SkyDrive Soon To Become OneDrive, With Improved Shared Folders](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/02/skydrive-soon-to-become-onedrive-with-improved-shared-folders/) - SkyDrive will be changing its name to OneDrive, with an important update that will permit shared folders to be synced to your local PC. - [How To Remove iTunes Add-Ins From Outlook](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/02/how-to-remove-itunes-add-ins-from-outlook/) - If you’re an Outlook user and iTunes is installed, you may have an Apple add-in in Outlook that isn’t doing anything useful. Here's the trick to remove it. - [Let’s Blame The Computer Manufacturers](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/02/lets-blame-the-computer-manufacturers/) - No one is enthusiastic about buying a computer. How did we get here? There are lots of reasons but for today let’s blame the computer manufacturers. - [Rules For Computer Safety 2014](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/02/rules-for-computer-safety-2014/) - These are the rules for being safe using a Windows computer in 2014. Pass this article on to your friends, send it to your kids! Let’s stay safe this year. - [The New Bruceb Favorites Page Arrives On February 3](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/01/the-new-bruceb-favorites-page-arrives-on-february-3/) - If you use the Bruceb Favorites page as your home page. I’m going to do something drastic that might leave you shocked and dismayed. I’m going to change it. - [Windows 8 Tip: Display Address Bar And Tabs In Full-Screen Version Of Internet Explorer](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/01/windows-8-tip-display-address-bar-and-tabs-in-full-screen-version-of-internet-explorer/) - After you upgrade to Windows 8.1, you have the option to always display the address bar and open tabs at the bottom of the fullscreen Metro version of IE. - [The Latest Windows Tablet News](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/01/the-latest-windows-tablet-news/) - The shift to mobile devices is happening fast, driving the decisions made by media and technology companies, advertisers, retailers, and web developers. - [LogMeIn Kills Its Free Service](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/01/logmein-kills-its-free-service/) - LogMeIn unexpectedly announced that it is discontinuing its free remote access service. It’s an unwelcome bombshell for LogMeIn users. - [Attacked by Advertising](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/01/attacked-by-advertising/) - Hubbub today when two Chrome extensions were hijacked to deliver ads. The bigger problem: advertisers are getting more desperate. - [Google Chrome, Windows 8, And Trojan Horses](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/01/google-chrome-windows-8-and-trojan-horses/) - Google Chrome version 32 runs Chrome OS inside Windows 8 – a Trojan horse aimed at taking down Windows from inside. It's war for control of your computer. - [The Tablet Takeover](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/01/the-tablet-take-over/) - The shift to mobile devices is happening fast, driving the decisions made by media and technology companies, advertisers, retailers, and web developers. - [Evernote–It’s The Best Of Apps, It’s The Worst Of Apps](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/01/evernoteits-the-best-of-apps-its-the-worst-of-apps/) - Evernote is a miracle that can organize your life - and it’s a bug-ridden mess, with security holes and poor support. Both of those are true! - [The Joy Of Ubiquiti UniFi Wireless](https://www.bruceb.com/2014/01/the-joy-of-ubiquiti-unifi-wireless/) - UniFi wireless access points provide high performance, extended range, and reliable wireless coverage at prices that small businesses can afford. Cool! - [Happy Holidays From Bruceb Consulting!](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/12/happy-holidays-from-bruceb-consulting-6/) - Best wishes for a joyous holiday season! I hope your holidays are filled with family, friends, good food, time to reflect - and perhaps some cool new devices for you under the tree. The past year in technology has been filled with turmoil: -- A radically new look for Windows. -- The shift by Microsoft - [Install LastPass 3.0.10 For Extra Stability In Internet Explorer](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/12/install-lastpass-3-0-10-for-extra-stability-in-internet-explorer/) - An update to LastPass v.3 fixes some bugs for Internet Explorer 11 users running Windows 7/8. - [Don’t Forget The End Is Near For Windows XP (And Maybe For Windows 7 Too)](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/12/dont-forget-the-end-is-near-for-windows-xp-and-maybe-for-windows-7-too/) - Microsoft is ending support for Windows XP in April. You'll be at risk if you haven't replaced old PCs. MS also might end sales of Windows 7 in October. - [Please Click On The Amazon Link On The Bruceb Favorites Page (For The Children)](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/12/please-click-on-the-amazon-link-on-the-bruceb-favorites-page-for-the-children/) - If you have any last-minute shopping to do at Amazon, I would be pathetically grateful if you would click on the Amazon link on the Bruceb Favorites page. - [New York Times Introduces Today’s Paper Web App For Subscribers](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/12/new-york-times-introduces-todays-paper-web-app-for-subscribers/) - This week the New York Times introduced Today’s Paper, an attractive web-based layout of the contents of the printed paper for each day. - [Why Is It So Difficult To Buy Windows 8 On A Business Desktop Computer?](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/12/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-buy-windows-8-on-a-business-desktop-computer/) - For reasons that I can’t comprehend, it is almost impossible to buy Windows 8 on many mainstream business desktop PCs. - [Nokia Lumia 520 Is The Tech Bargain Of The Year](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/12/nokia-lumia-520-is-the-tech-bargain-of-the-year/) - The Nokia Lumia 520 is one of the great tech bargains of the last few years - GPS, music player, Office programs, weather, apps, camera for only $69. - [Windows 8 Tip: How To Log In Remotely To A Windows 8 Computer](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/12/windows-8-tip-how-to-log-in-remotely-to-a-windows-8-computer/) - There are a variety of ways to connect remotely to Windows computers – Remote Desktop, LogMeIn, TeamViewer, and many more. You might need to enter your name in a new way to make a remote connection to a Windows 8 computer, if your Windows 8 user account is connected to a Microsoft account. Tip: When - [Switching To A Standing Desk Might Be One Of The Best Decisions I’ve Ever Made](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/12/switching-to-a-standing-desk-might-be-one-of-the-best-decisions-ive-ever-made/) - I adore my standing desk. I feel more energetic. It’s easier for me to stay focused. The health benefits are in the back of my mind all the time, helping me feel virtuous and keeping me on my feet even when the chair is calling. Maybe you’ve noticed that anything you research turns out to - [What’s New In The World Of Microsoft Devices](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/11/whats-new-in-the-world-of-microsoft-devices/) - The Microsoft ecosystem of devices and apps is thriving and deserves your consideration when you’re looking for your next tablet or phone. Here are some of the latest developments. WINDOWS PHONES Nokia Lumia phones are impressive! Well engineered, reasonably priced, with the best cameras on the market, bar none, and a selection of Nokia apps - [Afterword: Amazon And Microsoft Are Preparing To Offer Hosted Desktops](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/11/afterword-amazon-and-microsoft-are-preparing-to-offer-hosted-desktops/) - Previously: Looking Forward: Why You Might Never Buy Another Computer Looking Forward: Computing Without A Computer Amazon and Microsoft are well along in their plans to offer hosted desktops as a cloud service. In 2014 you will have the option to use a virtual computer to access a copy of Windows with your documents and - [Looking Forward: Computing Without A Computer](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/11/looking-forward-computing-without-a-computer/) - Previously: Looking Forward: Why You Might Never Buy Another Computer This is one possible future for small business computing. WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO COMPUTE WITHOUT A COMPUTER You sit down at a monitor and keyboard. There’s no computer in sight but there’s a login prompt onscreen. Log in with your user ID and password - [Looking Forward: Why You Might Never Buy Another Computer](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/11/looking-forward-why-you-might-never-buy-another-computer/) - Science fiction readers are familiar with novels that describe a near-future built on an outlandish concept, followed by an Afterword where the authors reveal that they are describing very real technology that is further developed than you realized. (Recent examples, all recommended: Daemon by Daniel Suarez, about artificial intelligence; Zero Day by Mark Russinovich, about - [Windows 8 Tip: How To Install The Windows 8.1 Upgrade](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/11/windows-8-tip-how-to-install-the-windows-8-1-upgrade/) - If you have a Windows 8 computer, laptop, or tablet, it’s time to upgrade to Windows 8.1. Here are a few tips to make the upgrade go smoothly and to enjoy the results. Microsoft has a thorough tutorial that walks you through each step of the upgrade. It’s recommended reading before you launch the upgrade. - [How To Improve Your Password Security (And Why The Adobe Disaster Proves That It Matters)](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/11/how-to-improve-your-password-security-and-why-the-adobe-disaster-proves-that-it-matters/) - Passwords are the keys to your digital kingdom. Everything important on your computers and online is secured by passwords. Your passwords are your defense against identity theft, financial loss, compromised computers, and breaches of confidentiality and privilege. If you use a weak password, or if you use the same password over and over every time - [LastPass 3.0 Brings New Design, New Features](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/11/lastpass-3-0-brings-new-design-new-features/) - LastPass released a major update this week. LastPass 3.0 gives the essential password manager a streamlined look and introduces some new features. If you’re a LastPass user, you’ll see some new things happening onscreen as you move around password fields. Don’t be unnerved! The changes will seem to be for the better, I think, after - [The Good, The Bad, And The Mysterious Google](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/11/the-good-the-bad-and-the-mysterious-google/) - Google is a confounding company. We all interact with it daily; almost everyone uses Google Search and Google Maps, at least. Android is running on an overwhelming number of new phones and tablets, with such a commanding lead that it’s fair to say that Android is the new Windows. And yet . . . THE - [Skydrive And Smart Files In Windows 8.1](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/11/skydrive-and-smart-files-on-windows-8-1/) - When you buy a new computer with Windows 8.1 or upgrade a Windows 8 computer, Skydrive gains some subtle and interesting new features. Microsoft has engineered Skydrive so it is even more deeply integrated into the operating system, making it simpler to set up and start using it. More interesting, although largely invisible to you, - [Block Ads And Preserve Your Privacy In Internet Explorer With Tracking Protection](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/10/block-ads-and-preserve-your-privacy-in-internet-explorer-with-tracking-protection/) - Almost three years ago Microsoft gave us a built-in way to block ads in Internet Explorer and preserve our privacy online – and we’re not using it because we don’t know it’s there! Ever since Internet Explorer 9 in February 2011, IE has had a feature named “Tracking Protection.” When it is turned on, third - [Adobe Deals With The Aftereffects Of Being Hacked](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/10/adobe-deals-with-the-aftereffects-of-being-hacked/) - “Very recently, Adobe’s security team discovered sophisticated attacks on our network . . .” That was the beginning of Adobe’s disclosure on October 3 that its network had been hacked. The story is getting worse as more details emerge. Bad guys infiltrated Adobe’s computers and got customer names and order information, plus encrypted passwords and - [Sorting Out The Tablets](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/10/sorting-out-the-tablets/) - Previously: It’s Not The Device, It’s The Ecosystem Let’s break down the new tablets by ecosystem. I’ll give you some shopping tips along the way. APPLE Everyone can find something to like in an iPad. The iPad Air (9.7” screen) brings the weight of the full-size iPad down to one pound, another triumph of engineering - [It’s Not The Device, It’s The Ecosystem](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/10/its-not-the-device-its-the-ecosystem/) - The holiday shopping season is nearly here. You’re faced with quite a selection of tablets and no obvious way to choose one over another. -- The level of engineering is so high that almost all of the new tablets are gorgeous and strong and light, with beautiful high-resolution displays. -- Battery life has - [Apple CEO Tim Cook Gives Bruceb News A Dressing Down](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/10/apple-ceo-tim-cook-gives-bruceb-news-a-dressing-down/) - In the news: Time, “Most Successful Tech Company on Earth Still Kinda Bummed No-Name Bloggers Didn’t Love the Original iPad” Fast Company: “Hear From The IT Blogger Whose Review Apple CEO Tim Cook Blasted” Macgasm: “Who Are The Haters Quoted In Apple’s Keynote Yesterday?” Apple CEO Tim Cook gave a shout-out to Bruceb News on - [Windows 8.1 Now Available For Computers And Tablets](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/10/windows-8-1-now-available-for-computers-and-tablets/) - Windows 8.1 is a free upgrade to Windows 8 that is now available for all computers and laptops running Windows 8, and all Surface Pro and Surface RT tablets. In a few days, Windows 8.1 will be the version of Windows that ships on all new computers and tablets. Microsoft has not changed the fundamental - [The Affordable Care Act And The Rollout Problem](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/10/the-affordable-care-act-and-the-rollout-problem/) - The news is full of the technical problems that have kept many people from navigating the web site set up for the Affordable Care Act marketplace. I don’t want to discuss the politics of the Affordable Care Act, but there is one aspect of the technical problem that is familiar from long experience: it’s very - [CryptoLocker Is A New Security Nightmare](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/10/cryptolocker-is-a-new-security-nightmare/) - CryptoLocker is a new variety of malware that is genuinely awful. You should be afraid. Starting now, you should redouble your efforts to live by the Rules For Computer Safety, especially these two: -- Never, never, never open email attachments unless you know with 100% certainty that the attachment is something you expected and - [If It’s Tuesday, There Must Be Updates](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/10/if-its-tuesday-there-must-be-updates/) - For ten years Microsoft has released security updates for Windows and Office on the second Tuesday of each month, the fabled “Patch Tuesday.” This week Microsoft patched two particularly nasty Internet Explorer bugs, so-called “zero day exploits” that are already being exploited in the wild. I approved several thousand updates to hundreds of computers this - [Tablets, Tablets Everywhere - Don't Forget The Kindle](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/10/tablets-tablets-everywhere-dont-forget-the-kindle/) - Although specific sales numbers aren’t available, we know that Amazon is selling millions of its Kindle Fire tablets to people who want a tablet for the lowest price and who are happy living in the Amazon ecosystem. Last month Amazon announced the next generation of Kindle Fire HDX 7” and 8.9” tablets (available on October - [Tablets, Tablets Everywhere - The Other Windows Tablets](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/10/tablets-tablets-everywherethe-other-windows-tablets/) - Windows tablets have a lot to offer business users whose time is spent using Microsoft Office programs on Windows computers and notebooks. If you slip into Microsoft’s ecosystem, your files will follow you onto the tablet along with your settings and your Internet favorites, and you’ll get the advantages of familiarity and compatibility along with - [Tablets, Tablets Everywhere - Microsoft Surface](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/10/tablets-tablets-everywheremicrosoft-surface/) - The landscape for tablets has been straightforward for the last year. -- Apple supports a rich echosystem of apps with the 10” iPad and increasingly popular 8” iPad Mini, elegant and responsive and expensive. -- Android is available on tablets from a number of manufacturers, with a slightly more Wild West feel to the ecosystem - [The Empty Nest And The Fall Leaves - Bruceb Out Of Town 09/30-10/06](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/09/the-empty-nest-and-the-fall-leavesbruceb-out-of-town-0930-1006/) - I will be out of the office during the week of September 30. The leaves are changing color in New Hampshire. For the first time I’ll be able to see them in full, glorious color with the Oxy-Iso glasses that cure my colorblindness. The nest is empty. Andrew Berls played a material role in the - [A Look At The Future Of The Desktop](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/09/a-look-at-the-future-of-the-desktop/) - Here’s the story of why the Windows Desktop will disappear. It’s now widely understood that small, mobile devices will be the focus of everyone’s attention for the next few years. Tablet and smartphone manufacturers (Apple, Samsung) are sharply increasing their sales every year, while desktop computer manufacturers (HP, Dell) are starving. Innovations are spilling out - [Internet Explorer And "Unsupported Browser" Warnings](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/09/internet-explorer-and-unsupported-browser-warnings/) - Lately I’ve seen an increase in the number of web sites warning that I’m running an unsupported version of Internet Explorer, or recommending that I upgrade to the latest version. In some cases, the web sites refuse to load at all. Autotask, for example, will not go past this screen because it “does not support - [Clean Up After Your Printers](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/09/clean-up-after-your-printers/) - Here’s a housekeeping tip that will help keep your computers happy. When you take a printer out of service, remove the printer from the Printers folder, then uninstall the programs that were installed to support the printer. HP, Epson and Canon are all likely to have dropped anywhere from three to a dozen programs on - [Speedy Installation Of Windows 8.1](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/09/speedy-installation-of-windows-8-1/) - Windows 8 is fast. It installs fast, it boots fast, it transfers files fast, it wakes up from sleep nearly instantly. It’s significantly faster than Windows 7 at all those chores, and Windows 7 was itself light years ahead of Windows XP. Here’s an example of what that means. Last week Microsoft released Windows 8.1 - [Some Thoughts On The Future Of Microsoft](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/09/some-thoughts-on-the-future-of-microsoft/) - Part 1: Some Thoughts On The Future Of Windows Part 2: Some Thoughts On The Future Of Microsoft This is the second of two articles about what lies ahead for Microsoft and Windows. In the last month, there have been two huge corporate shakeups that will change Microsoft’s competitive posture in ways that are completely - [Some Thoughts On The Future Of Windows](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/09/some-thoughts-on-the-future-of-windows/) - Part 1: Some Thoughts On The Future Of Windows Part 2: Some Thoughts On The Future Of Microsoft This is the first of two articles about what lies ahead for Microsoft and Windows. No one can predict the future in this dizzying hyper-competitive environment – there are too many variables to know whether Microsoft will - [Office 365 Increases Storage Space For Exchange Mailboxes, SkyDrive Pro](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/09/office-365-increases-storage-space-for-exchange-mailboxes-skydrive-pro/) - Office 365 business users are getting more storage space for free. Exchange mailboxes are doubling in size, permitting storage of up to 50Gb per mailbox, and Skydrive Pro storage capacity is being increased from 7Gb to 25Gb for each user. The increased mailbox space was announced here, and the increased Skydrive Pro storage was announced - [New Laptops From Lenovo And Dell–The Fall Season Begins](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/09/new-laptops-from-lenovo-and-dellthe-fall-season-begins/) - Dell and Lenovo have released details of new business laptops that take advantage of the latest advances in Intel’s Haswell chipsets to increase speed, reduce weight, and extend battery life. Expect them to be shipping in the next few weeks, along with more new models from other manufacturers. Dell is revamping its entire Latitude lineup, - [iPhone Fingerprint Reader And Mobile Security](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/08/iphone-fingerprint-reader-and-mobile-security/) - It’s widely expected that Apple will add a fingerprint reader to the next iPhone, scheduled to be announced on September 10. If the rumors are right, your thumb will unlock the phone when you press the button at the bottom. To be successful, it has to be nearly 100% effective but that might be possible - [Changing The Calendar (And Other Outlook Tricks)](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/08/changing-the-calendar-and-other-outlook-tricks/) - I made a trivial change to Outlook that made me so happy I have to share it with you. Like many of you, I use Outlook’s calendar to view one week at a time. It shows work appointments during the week, plus personal events on the weekend. It’s always been vaguely annoying that the weekend - [How To View Contact Cards In Outlook 2013](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/08/how-to-view-contact-cards-in-outlook-2013/) - Many things in technology are easy once someone shows you how to do them. I have “D’oh!” moments just as often as you do. Here’s one I just figured out about Outlook Contacts. The Contacts folder in Outlook 2013 opens by default in a streamlined vertical view with names on the left and an expanded - [Google’s Tone-Deaf Comments On Security And Privacy](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/08/googles-tone-deaf-comments-on-security-and-privacy/) - Since the early days, Google has proclaimed that one of its core values is: “Don’t be evil.” Faith in that slogan is being tested as Google matures into a corporate behemoth. Its reputation was not helped last week by a couple of tone-deaf responses to security and privacy issues. These aren’t awful problems that should - [Bruceb News Hits A Milestone, Despite Popular Demand](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/08/bruceb-news-hits-a-milestone-despite-popular-demand/) - If your Internet connection feels a little slow, it’s probably because the Bruceb News site is sucking up the world’s bandwidth to accommodate well-wishers, gawkers, and passers-by eager to see what all the commotion is about. It’s a milestone: this is article number 2400 in the never-ending series of Bruceb News posts! My mother always - [Office 365 Availability Exceeds 99.9%](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/08/office-365-availability-exceeds-99-9/) - Microsoft assembled some numbers to show that Office 365 has had almost no downtime for the last year. For four quarters in a row, the Office 365 services (hosted Exchange email, Sharepoint, Lync, and Office Web Apps) were up and running more than 99.9% of the time – between 99.94% and 99.98%, to be exact. - [Skydrive Keeps Getting Better! (Except For The Pesky Name Problem)](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/08/skydrive-keeps-getting-better-except-for-the-name-problem/) - The Service Soon Not To Be Known As Skydrive got some nice updates recently – along with a court decision that gives Microsoft yet another nasty branding problem. The good news is that Skydrive continues to add new features at a rapid pace. (If you’re new to Skydrive, you’ll find lots of articles here to - [Office 365 And Outlook “Trying To Connect”](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/08/office-365-and-outlook-trying-to-connect/) - Microsoft has been upgrading Office 365 subscribers to new servers during 2013, with improved webmail and a completely overhauled dashboard for users and the latest versions of Exchange Server and other server platforms on the back end. The upgrades haven’t all gone completely smoothly but it seemed like good news all around once the migration - [New Tool For Bruceb Remote Management Subscribers](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/08/new-tool-for-bruceb-remote-management-subscribers/) - There’s a new little icon in the lower right corner of the screen for Bruceb Remote Management subscribers. Most of my clients’ computers are running the Bruceb Remote Management service, which silently monitors them to make sure things run troublefree. Desktop and laptop computers are kept up to date with the latest patches for Windows - [Microsoft Releases Office Mobile For Android Phones](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/08/microsoft-releases-office-mobile-for-android-phones/) - Microsoft released Office Mobile for Android phones this week, with versions of Word, Excel and Powerpoint optimized for small screens. Here’s where you can download it from the Google Play store. The apps are very similar to the Office Mobile app released for iPhones less than two months ago. Like the iPhone app, the new - [How To Stay On The Desktop On A Windows 8 Computer](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/07/how-to-stay-on-the-desktop-on-a-windows-8-computer/) - Windows 8 features a Start screen in place of the familiar Start menu, and many of its apps are designed with a new full-screen presentation best suited for laptops and tablets. If you get a Windows 8 desktop computer and large monitor for business use, you’re probably going to want to spend most of your - [How To Restore Files With Bruceb Cloud Backup](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/07/how-to-restore-files-with-bruceb-cloud-backup/) - Bruceb Cloud Backup provides secure online backups to Amazon S3’s global server network. One of its most useful features is the ability to restore previous versions of files when they are inadvertently edited or deleted and there’s a need to roll back the clock. Here are some tips about restoring individual files from the online - [Haswell And The Next Generation Of Intel Processors](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/07/haswell-and-the-next-generation-of-intel-processors/) - In the twenty-year history of personal computing, there has always been a reason to wait a few months to buy the Next Big Thing. So let me tell you about the Next Big Thing, but with a disclaimer – if you need a new computer or tablet, go buy a computer or tablet. There are - [It’s Safe To Install The Microsoft Security Essentials Upgrade](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/07/its-safe-to-install-the-microsoft-security-essentials-upgrade/) - On Patch Tuesday this month, Microsoft released an upgrade to Microsoft Security Essentials, the security program used by just about everyone. The program itself is being updated – it’s more than just new virus definitions - and it was supposed to be installed automatically with the other Patch Tuesday updates. The update hasn’t always been - [Microsoft Delivers Outlook for iPhone/iPad (Kind Of)](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/07/microsoft-delivers-outlook-for-iphoneipad-kind-of/) - Microsoft unexpectedly released native Outlook apps for iPhones and iPads today! Well, kind of. Office 365 subscribers with a hosted Exchange mailbox can download OWA for iPhone and OWA for iPad, which display your mail, contacts, and calendar in a view that closely resembles Office 365 webmail. There are live tiles, push notifications of email - [Meanwhile, In The Google Ecosystem](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/07/meanwhile-in-the-google-ecosystem/) - Let’s peer over the wall into the Google garden. The changes in one ecosystem are more or less irrelevant if you’re committed to one of the others. Pieces of the Google, Apple, and Microsoft ecosystems can be used across platforms, but you’ll get the biggest rewards if you declare your allegiance to one of them - [Summer Vacation Progress Notes](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/07/summer-vacation-progress-notes/) - My flapping retina has been stitched into place and I’m comfortably sitting with my head facing down in a chair that looks like it would also be useful for shoulder massages or bizarre bondage experiments. “Comfortably” might be an overstatement. I’m back at work, more or less. I’ll be sitting upright at my desk answering - [OneNote Is Everywhere!](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/07/onenote-is-everywhere/) - Microsoft OneNote is the hidden treasure in the Office suite, the program that might be a serious boost to your productivity but is too often overlooked. Take another look. Your notes in OneNote are available everywhere, and the experience is even more seamless with recent updates to the iOS and Android apps – and OneNote - [How I’m Spending My Summer Vacation](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/07/how-im-spending-my-summer-vacation-2/) - Next week Dr. Christine Ku will suck all the fluid out of my right eye. Normally a detached retina is an emergency event. A shadow falls across your vision, surgeons scurry about, and a procedure is done the same day to glue the retina back into place. But not me. I’m special. My retina is - [Windows 8 Tip: Watch The Missing Windows 8 Instructional Video](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/07/windows-8-tip-watch-the-missing-windows-8-instructional-video/) - If you have a new Windows 8 computer or you’re thinking of getting one, please – please! – take a few minutes and watch Scott Hanselman’s presentation of “The Missing Windows 8 Instructional Video.” If the video doesn’t appear above, then click on this link to view it on his page. Sure, you can read - [Watch A Demo Of Office 365 Sharepoint, Lync & Office](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/06/watch-a-demo-of-office-365-sharepoint-lync-office/) - Anyone interested is invited to join a 30-minute webinar on Thursday or Friday for a demonstration of some of the Office 365 services that are less well known to small businesses. I want to encourage my clients to take the time to attend! To register for the webinar, just click on one of these links: - [Windows 8.1: The View From 36,000 Feet](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/06/windows-8-1-the-view-from-36000-feet/) - Previously: Windows 8: The View From 36,000 Feet Today Microsoft is releasing a preview of the next version of Windows, an update named “Windows 8.1” that will be available in final form later this fall. To understand where it fits, let’s take a stroll down memory lane. In 2007, Microsoft released Windows Vista, with a - [PDF Search Stops Working In Windows 8 64-Bit](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/06/pdf-search-stops-working-in-windows-8-64-bit/) - Adobe’s PDF format has become as important in offices as Microsoft’s Office file formats. More and more business assets are stored in PDF format – email archives, scanned correspondence, document versions sent for review, law office discovery, and much more. A business cannot function without being able to search through the contents of all of - [LinkedIn And Creepy Connections](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/06/linkedin-and-creepy-connections/) - LinkedIn is increasingly being used by small and medium-size businesses for marketing, recruiting, and networking. I’ll give you a bit of background in case you’re not familiar with LinkedIn, then point out one of its features that can seem creepy if you’re not expecting it. “Connections” are at the heart of LinkedIn – the people - [Microsoft Releases Office For iPhones](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/06/microsoft-releases-office-for-iphones/) - This morning Microsoft released mobile versions of Word, Excel, and Powerpoint for iPhone users with an Office 365 subscription. “Office Mobile for iPhone” closely resembles the Office programs included on Windows Phone 8 devices, allowing files to be edited and viewed with integrated access to Skydrive and full compatibility with the Office file formats. This - [Sony PlayStation 4 vs. Microsoft Xbox One (Tip: Don’t Bet On Sony)](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/06/sony-playstation-4-vs-microsoft-xbox-one-tip-dont-bet-on-sony/) - Sony and Microsoft have now both shown off their next-generation living room consoles. The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One will be available this fall. Each will be solid gaming machines, as well as offering features for non-gamers – integrated access to the web, streaming video services (Netflix, Hulu, et al.), some TV integration, and more. - [Windows RT Tablets For Business Users (And The Imminent Arrival Of Outlook)](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/06/windows-rt-tablets-for-business-users-and-the-imminent-arrival-of-outlook/) - Windows RT is the special version of Windows 8 that runs Microsoft Surface RT tablets and a few tablets from other manufacturers. When eight inch Windows 8 mini-tablets appear soon, they will be running Windows RT. There are some good reasons to consider a Windows RT tablet instead of an iPad or Android tablet – - [Fix Office Problems Caused By Skydrive](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/06/fix-office-problems-caused-by-skydrive/) - TAKEAWAY If you experience long delays or freezes when Word or Excel are saving files to Skydrive, disable the Skydrive setting that creates a direct connection between the Office programs and the online Skydrive folders. BACKGROUND I’m fully committed to Skydrive. I have the Skydrive desktop app installed on my Windows 8 computers. All my - [Windows 8 Tip: Microsoft Guide To Windows 8](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/05/windows-8-tip-microsoft-guide-to-windows-8/) - Microsoft has released a user’s guide to Windows 8 for anyone with a new Windows 8 computer or tablet. Download the Windows 8 guide from here. (If you want the abbreviated version, start with my article on the five things you need to know for your first Windows 8 computer.) Without help, it’s difficult to - [Our Changing Tech World](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/05/our-changing-tech-world/) - Think you’re keeping up with the tech industry? Here are two recent reports that took me by surprise. Android is crushing everything in its path. In the first quarter of 2013, Android smartphones had a 75% market share. Apple’s iOS came in at a distant second place, with 17% market share. Two hundred million smartphones - [Outlook Connection Problems With Office 365](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/05/outlook-connection-problems-with-office-365/) - For the last three weeks I’ve been getting occasional problem reports from clients with hosted Exchange mailboxes on Office 365, after their Office 365 service was upgraded. For a handful of users, Outlook has sporadically been unable to connect to the online Exchange server, showing “Trying to connect” in the lower right corner for five - [Windows 8 And The Death Of A Thousand Cuts](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/05/windows-8-and-the-death-of-a-thousand-cuts/) - Here we go again. Windows 8 is succumbing to the pressure from too many people with too many agendas. It’s starting to get a bit of the Vista stink. Everybody seems to “know” that Windows 8 is something to be avoided. Nobody can articulate what the problems are – it’s something they heard somewhere. “I - [Spam, Spam Everywhere](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/05/spam-spam-everywhere/) - Sometimes it seems as if we’re making progress against spam. Spam filters have improved and we don’t bother to check the Junk Mail folder any more because we know it’s all junk. Oh, sure, some crud gets through to the Inbox from the bad guys but on the whole complaints about spam have dropped way - [Understanding Skydrive, Part 4: Sharing And Collaboration](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/05/understanding-skydrive-part-4-sharing-and-collaboration/) - Previously: The Difference Between A Microsoft Account And An Office 365 Account Understanding Skydrive, Part 1: Skydrive vs. Skydrive Pro Understanding Skydrive, Part 2: The Basics Understanding Skydrive, Part 3: The Microsoft Office Connection Microsoft has steadily improved sharing in Skydrive. Among other uses, it has become one of the easiest and most attractive services - [Understanding Skydrive, Part 3: The Microsoft Office Connection](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/05/understanding-skydrive-part-3-the-microsoft-office-connection/) - Previously: The Difference Between A Microsoft Account And An Office 365 Account Understanding Skydrive, Part 1: Skydrive vs. Skydrive Pro Understanding Skydrive, Part 2: The Basics Skydrive has become more compelling for business users because it is integrated with Office (Word / Excel / Powerpoint) in two ways: -- Documents can be opened and saved - [Understanding Skydrive, Part 2: The Basics](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/05/understanding-skydrive-part-2-the-basics/) - Previously: The Difference Between A Microsoft Account And An Office 365 Account Understanding Skydrive, Part 1: Skydrive vs. Skydrive Pro Skydrive lets you store files online and access them from anywhere, including PCs, Macs, and mobile devices. There are some good reasons to begin using it as the primary location for saving all of your - [Understanding Skydrive, Part 1: Skydrive vs. Skydrive Pro](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/04/understanding-skydrive-part-1-skydrive-vs-skydrive-pro/) - Skydrive is Microsoft’s service for storing files online and accessing them from any device. It is quickly becoming a core service for every Windows user, as important for you to understand as any program on your computer. Skydrive is simple and flexible, it’s free, and it’s secure and reliable. Microsoft will give you a generous - [The Difference Between A Microsoft Account And An Office 365 Account](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/04/the-difference-between-a-microsoft-account-and-an-office-365-account/) - [June 16, 2016: an updated version of this article can be found here: Understanding Microsoft Work And Personal Accounts.] Microsoft has taken great strides towards simplifying its products and services. It has discarded products that were overlapping (Live Mesh discarded in favor of Skydrive, Messenger discarded in favor of Skype), it has streamlined its product - [Windows 8 Tip: Bring Back The Start Menu With Start8](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/04/windows-8-tip-bring-back-the-start-menu-with-start8/) - Missing the Start button on your new Windows 8 computer? It’s easy to get it back with Start8 from Stardock Software. Microsoft made a bold (and perhaps misguided) decision to insist that everyone use the new Windows 8 Start screen to start programs. Sure, there’s a rocky transition, but the idea is that if everyone - [Office 365 Tip: Using The Improved Outlook Web App](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/04/office-365-tip-using-the-improved-outlook-web-app/) - Office 365 is in the middle of a major upgrade. Many small business subscribers have already been upgraded and Microsoft intends to have all subscribers upgraded in the next few months. Hosted Exchange mailboxes are being upgraded to new servers running Exchange 2013; it doesn’t change the day-to-day experience of using Outlook but there are - [Comcast Offers Free Wireless For Subscribers In California](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/04/comcast-offers-free-wireless-for-subscribers-in-california/) - If you are a Comcast Internet subscriber, you may be able to take advantage of Comcast’s rollout of free WiFi access from thousands of wireless hotspots around northern California. The hotspots broadcast the name Xfinity WiFi. Wireless access points have already been widely deployed around the Bay Area as well as areas in central California - [Where Are Custom Templates Stored For Microsoft Office?](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/04/where-are-custom-templates-stored-for-microsoft-office/) - Here’s a very basic tip about Word, Excel and Powerpoint. You already know the basic concept. When you’ve prepared something that you might re-use, you can save it as a template. Click File / Save As / Save as type / Word Template (*.dotx). When you create a new file from a template, the Office - [Law Office Technology And A Perfect Storm](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/04/law-office-technology-and-a-perfect-storm/) - We’re right in the middle of a perfect technology storm, a wild ride that makes the last twenty years look tame. A recent article about law office practice management programs will serve as an example but the principle is true in every area for every kind of business. The storm is caused by a platform - [The End Approaches For Windows XP](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/04/the-end-approaches-for-windows-xp/) - In exactly one year, Microsoft will stop supporting Windows XP. There will be no more security updates or patches. Microsoft will stop answering the phone. No more technical support bulletins will be published. Support will also end for Office 2003. If you’re still using Windows XP in a year, you’ll be at far greater risk - [Outlook.com Finally Gets A Calendar Update](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/04/outlook-com-finally-gets-a-calendar-update/) - Microsoft finally rolled out an updated calendar to Outlook.com this week, matching the modern look of the other parts of the service that were introduced last year – mail and contacts for Outlook.com and Hotmail mailboxes, and Skydrive for anyone with a Microsoft account. Although Outlook.com was introduced in August, and Microsoft proudly announced that - [Leaving Google](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/04/leaving-google/) - I’m leaving Google. Oh, not completely. I’ll still use Google for searches and maps. I’m not crazy. But I’m extricating myself from the Google walled garden as much as possible. It’s about simplicity. Some people have privacy concerns about Google, which collects more information about us than any other single data collector on the planet. - [Shopping Tips For Windows 8 Laptops](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/04/shopping-tips-for-windows-8-laptops/) - There is finally a strong selection of Windows 8 laptops on the market, but they are mixed with the aging inventory of models that do not take advantage of the improvements in laptop design – lighter weight, thinner profiles, faster hard drives, and touchscreens. Here’s a quick survey to help you shop. In general, keep - [Bioshock Infinite Breathes Fresh Life Into PC Gaming](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/03/bioshock-infinite-breathes-fresh-life-into-pc-gaming/) - Gaming has been in the doldrums. Oh, sure, lots of people have been buying the latest installments in the war franchises (Call Of Duty, Battlefield, and others like them), but original and creative games have been few and far between. Bioshock Infinite is a new single-player first-person game that is receiving universal acclaim. It builds - [Rules For Computer Safety 2013](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/03/rules-for-computer-safety-2013/) - These are the rules for being safe using a Windows computer in 2013. The bad guys are getting smarter and more devious – their spelling and grammar has improved and they have gotten better at creating messages that are indistinguishable from real messages from your bank, the IRS, UPS, Microsoft, or, well, anyone. Pass this - [Comcast Speeds Up Internet Service In California](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/03/comcast-speeds-up-internet-service-in-california/) - Without much fanfare, Comcast has doubled the speed of its Internet service for most California subscribers, at no extra charge. Comcast has several service tiers. Most subscribers are in one of the plans that have been upgraded – Performance, Blast, and Extreme. The increases range from 25% faster downloads in the Performance tier to a - [Google Street View Takes You Inside Buildings, Under The Ocean, And Around The World](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/03/google-street-view-takes-you-inside-buildings-under-the-ocean-and-around-the-world/) - Google Street View is one of the wonders of the world. I know you normally would never use your computer to kill time browsing the Internet but really, you should spend an hour looking around the world to discover what the Google Street View team is doing. Google Street View is the feature of Google - [View And Edit PDF Files In Word 2013](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/03/view-and-edit-pdf-files-in-word-2013/) - A new feature in Office 2013 that deserves explanation: Word 2013 can convert PDF files into editable Word documents with a high degree of accuracy. If you browse to a PDF file in Word 2013 and click to open it, you will see this window: “Word will now convert your PDF to an editable Word - [Everything You Need To Know About Automatic Restarts–Patch Tuesday, Windows 8, And Bruceb Management](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/03/all-you-need-to-know-about-automatic-restartspatch-tuesday-windows-8-and-bruceb-management/) - Almost everyone is aware that their computer will automatically restart overnight on occasion – and most people have dealt with the frustration of an unexpected shutdown that disrupts open windows or forces programs to close, at worst losing data along the way. Restarts are necessary when system files are patched or files need to be - [Updates For Unloved Surface RT Tablets](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/03/updates-for-unloved-surface-rt-tablets/) - Let’s not mince words: very few people have purchased Microsoft’s Surface tablets. It’s still early in the long game that Microsoft is playing but the world is not exactly being changed overnight. Microsoft is trying to position the Surface devices more clearly in the market. The original Surface RT ($499 and up) is the one - [How To Buy Microsoft Office 2013](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/03/how-to-buy-microsoft-office-2013/) - There are three different paths to buy Office 2013. Choose your path based on whether you are: -- a home user (or a business that’s so small that everyone feels like family) -- a business with an existing Office 365 subscription -- a business that is not already an Office 365 subscriber DO NOT buy - [Office 365, Office 2013 & Internet Explorer 10](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/03/office-365-office-2013-internet-explorer-10/) - Here’s some late-breaking news about upgrades to Microsoft’s Office 365 service, Office 2013, and Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7. Office 365 Existing Office 365 subscribers are being upgraded to a new version of the service, one by one during the past month and continuing for the next few months. Most of the changes - [Outlook.com Takes Over Hotmail (But Has Some Growing Pains)](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/02/outlook-com-takes-over-hotmail-but-has-some-growing-pains/) - Last summer Microsoft introduced Outlook.com, a redesigned webmail service with a modern design and new features that were ahead of Hotmail, Gmail, and the other competitors. Here’s my enthusiastic description of Outlook.com. (To be clear: Outlook.com is a webmail service. You get an @outlook.com email address and check your mail at www.outlook.com. It’s not the - [The Bizarre, Pointless Google Chromebook Pixel](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/02/the-bizarre-pointless-google-chromebook-pixel/) - Google has achieved a rare distinction: it has now launched not one but two of the strangest, most pointless products in the long history of stupid tech products. Last year Google introduced the Nexus Q, an orb-shaped streaming media player designed for living rooms. It had an unbelievably small set of features that did not - [Ransomware, Hackers, And The Java Problem](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/02/ransomware-hackers-and-the-java-problem/) - Another Java update? Really? Sigh. New updates for Java on all versions of Windows this week (Java 6 Update 41 and Java 7 Update 15), following the emergency Java updates last week, which followed the emergency Java updates the week before that. In fact there have been five Java updates in just over five weeks, - [Windows 8 Tip: Sign In With A Microsoft Account](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/02/windows-8-tip-sign-in-with-a-microsoft-account/) - One of the first questions asked during setup of a new Windows 8 PC has particular significance. By default, you’ll be asked to sign in with a Microsoft account. If you do, you’ll be able to take advantage of one of the best features of Windows 8, the built-in ability to sync settings automatically among - [A Busy Week For Patches!](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/02/a-busy-week-for-patches/) - Microsoft and Adobe made sure your computer stayed busy this week, with a particularly large crop of patches and security updates. Your computer has probably already restarted at least once and probably could use another restart to make sure everything has settled down. Microsoft’s regular Patch Tuesday included a long list of updates covering 57 - [Growth In Smartphone And Tablet Markets Continues Unabated (And It’s All Android And Apple)](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/02/growth-in-smartphone-and-tablet-markets-continues-unabated-and-its-all-android-and-apple/) - The number of smartphones and tablets sold worldwide in 2012 is absolutely staggering. The sense of amazement is the same no matter how you measure it – number of units sold, growth year over year, spending, profits, comparison to declining computer sales. There is something profound going on in the world. A couple of trends - [Say Goodbye To Windows Vista](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/02/say-goodbye-to-windows-vista/) - Previously: Say Goodbye To Windows XP (2012) Say Goodbye To Six-Year-Old Computers (2010) Time marches on. It’s time to retire computers running Vista. Most of them are five years old, some of them coming up on their six-year anniversary. If you’re running Vista, you’ve probably noticed that your computer is running slowly. Molasses slow, glacier - [Acrobat XI Pro Now Available By Subscription](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/02/acrobat-xi-pro-now-available-by-subscription/) - Adobe has never been shy about charging high prices for its products. Artists and designers have long struggled with the high cost of licenses for Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and other creative programs, and the $449 price tag for an Acrobat license has been a thorn in the side of small businesses for many years. Adobe - [New Features In Office 2013 - Outlook, Excel, Powerpoint](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/02/new-features-in-office-2013-outlook-excel-powerpoint/) - Previously: Office 365 Home Premium: The View From 36,000 Feet New Features In Office 2013 – UI, Skydrive, Word Continuing our look at a handful of new features in the updated Office suite, in case any of them get you all excited. (Hey, don’t laugh – I have to sit down and fan myself with - [New Features In Office 2013 - UI, Skydrive, Word](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/02/new-features-in-office-2013-ui-skydrive-word/) - Previously: Office 365 Home Premium: The View From 36,000 Feet All the attention is focused on the subscription-based licensing of the new Office suite, but at some point you’re likely to wonder if anything has changed in the programs themselves that would make you care about the upgrade. Well, maybe. If you’re a home user - [Office 365 Home Premium: The View From 36,000 Feet](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/02/office-365-home-premium-the-view-from-36000-feet/) - Microsoft Office 2013 is the new version of Microsoft’s flagship suite, with the core programs that most businesses use every day - Word, Excel, Outlook, and Powerpoint. It is available now for consumers to install. Many of you should start using it. The new version is easy to install and has some nice improvements in - [New Directions For Skype](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/01/new-directions-for-skype/) - Skype is being transformed this year into an integrated platform available on phones, tablets and computers for a variety of communications tasks. There has been a flurry of updates and announcements in the last few months – these are the highlights. Log into Skype with your Microsoft account Microsoft is linking many services together with - [Skype Fundamentals](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/01/skype-fundamentals/) - Most of you are familiar with Skype, the program that lets you make free calls to other Skype users anywhere in the world. Microsoft bought Skype at the end of 2011 and has been slowly (very, very slowly) rebuilding it and integrating Skype with its other services. Skype is going to take center stage in - [Windows 8 Sales Are Slow–And It’s (Partially) The Manufacturers’ Fault](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/01/windows-8-sales-are-slowand-its-partially-the-manufacturers-fault/) - Windows 8 was introduced at the end of October. Although Microsoft claims to have sold 60 million Windows 8 licenses since then, it’s generally conceded that sales have been slower than anticipated. There are several reasons for the slow start. Computer manufacturers bear some of the responsibility. The computer era is ending faster than expected. - [The Vulnerable, Deceptive World Of Java](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/01/the-vulnerable-deceptive-world-of-java/) - Ed Bott has written a fascinating article about Java’s bad behavior – not just its security vulnerabilities, which are legion, but also its incessant attempts to install adware that mucks up your computer every time you install an update. It’s a must-read article if you want to know how your browser winds up infested with - [Windows Tip: Use The Browser Address Bar For Web Searches](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/01/windows-tip-use-the-browser-address-bar-for-web-searches/) - You can type web searches into the address bar of your browser and get the same results as if you had typed them directly into Google. This is an old trick but it’s not well known – and it’s incredibly useful. I type search terms into my browser all day, without the extra clicks that - [Thinkpad X1 Carbon Touch–The Practically Perfect Laptop](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/01/thinkpad-x1-carbon-touchthe-practically-perfect-laptop/) - Lenovo has begun shipping the Thinkpad X1 Carbon Touch, an updated version of its already awesome Ultrabook, now with a touchscreen that is perfectly suited to Windows 8. It is elegant and powerful and well-designed. It is thin and light, almost impossibly so. It has a 14” screen packed in a chassis that other manufacturers - [Bruceb Remote Management: Staying Up To Date In A Dangerous World](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/01/bruceb-remote-management-staying-up-to-date-in-a-dangerous-world/) - Your brush with danger from the weekend Java vulnerability ought to help you appreciate the importance of staying up to date on all the programs targeted by malware: Windows, Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Java, Flash, Adobe Acrobat & Reader, and the other programs that are under attack by the bad guys. Bruceb Remote Management is - [Dangerous Java Security Flaw Causes Much Excitement](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/01/dangerous-java-security-flaw-causes-much-excitement/) - Hackers discovered a new security flaw in Java and immediately set up poisoned web sites that can compromise your computer if you click on a link. Since no patch is currently available to fix the vulnerability, it qualifies as a “zero day exploit,” the most dangerous kind of security problem. You don’t have to panic. - [Office Tip: How To Open Multiple Outlook Windows](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/01/office-tip-how-to-open-multiple-outlook-windows/) - You can open Outlook in multiple windows – one window displaying your inbox, for example, one window displaying your calendar, one window displaying your contacts. It can be far easier to switch between windows than to switch from one section of Outlook to another. The simplest way to do that: right-click on the name of - [Smartphone Wars: Google Blocks Windows Phone From Accessing Google Maps](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/01/smartphone-wars-google-blocks-windows-phone-from-accessing-google-maps/) - Previously: Clash Of The Titans: The War Of The Ecosystems Google did something evil. It will get undone shortly, but the fact remains that Google directly attacked a group of consumers for no reason except to gain a competitive advantage by making their life more miserable. Sometime last week, the Google Maps web site became - [Google Now: Android’s Ambitious App Pulls You Into The Google Ecosystem](https://www.bruceb.com/2013/01/google-now-androids-ambitious-app-pulls-you-into-the-google-ecosystem/) - If you have a new Android phone running the latest version of Android (“Jelly Bean,” Android versions 4.1 or 4.2), you can turn on Google Now, one of the most interesting and forward-looking smartphone apps available on any platform. I don’t have a Jelly Bean phone, so I’m relying on news reports, blogs, and comments - [Windows 8 Tip: What You Need To Know About Windows 8 Security](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/12/windows-8-tip-what-you-need-to-know-about-windows-8-security/) - Windows 8 includes antivirus software built into the operating system. You don’t have to install anything additional for malware protection on a Windows 8 computer. Microsoft has been increasingly assertive about giving away antivirus software but this is the first time it has included this level of protection as part of the operating system. It - [Happy Holidays From Bruceb Consulting!](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/12/happy-holidays-from-bruceb-consulting-5/) - Season’s greetings! I hope you all get lovely new technology for the holidays and have a wonderful time poking and clicking and pinching and zooming! I’ve been looking ahead to 2013, trying to guess what will fill our time in the technology world next year. Here are some of the things that are coming, in - [Clash Of The Titans: The War Of The Ecosystems](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/12/clash-of-the-titans-the-war-of-the-ecosystems/) - Previously: Clash Of The Titans – The Battle Over Skydrive On iOS War has broken out. Apple, Google, Microsoft and Amazon have been building walled gardens, ecosystems of services that work best if you have multiple devices on the same platform. Example: once you buy an iPad, it is far more likely that your next - [Clash Of The Titans: The Battle Over Skydrive On iOS](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/12/clash-of-the-titans-the-battle-over-skydrive-on-ios/) - Microsoft is embroiled in a conflict with Apple that is part of a bigger story. Today I’ll tell you about the details of the standoff over whether Microsoft will be allowed to keep giving away a Skydrive app for iPhones and iPads. In the next article, I’ll give you the bigger picture, which will help - [Microsoft Surface To Be Sold In Best Buy, Staples](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/12/microsoft-surface-to-be-sold-in-best-buy-staples/) - If you’re curious about the Microsoft Surface tablets, you’ll be able to look at them in Staples and Best Buy next week. Microsoft’s original plan was to sell them only online and in Microsoft-branded stores until early next year but something – probably slow sales – has inspired them to make the Windows RT tablets - [Gmail Goes Down! And Other Tales Of Outages](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/12/gmail-goes-down-and-other-tales-of-outages/) - Gmail was down today for most users for at least an hour, with Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Play and some other Google services remaining down for another hour or more. A side effect: attempts to access Google services during the outage was causing Google Chrome to crash. Facebook was down today for about 15 - [Verizon Brings 4G LTE Coverage To Santa Rosa](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/12/verizon-brings-4g-lte-coverage-to-santa-rosa/) - An email arrived tonight from Verizon announcing that 4G LTE service has officially arrived in Santa Rosa and nearby areas in Sonoma County. Verizon actually turned on LTE up here about a month ago; I noticed the LTE indicator lighting up on my Verizon devices and loyal correspondents left comments about it on my earlier - [Microsoft Surface Pro And The Windows 8 Ecosystem](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/12/microsoft-surface-pro-and-the-windows-8-ecosystem/) - In late January Microsoft will start shipping the second version of the Surface tablet, the one with the full version of Windows 8 Pro. There are two models, a 64Gb version for $900 or a 128Gb version for $1000. A keyboard is not included so you’ll buy one separately, either the Touch cover (non-movable keys, - [Windows 8 Tip: Turn On File History](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/12/windows-8-tip-turn-on-file-history/) - Windows 8 includes a feature that lets you recover older versions of documents or photos easily and flexibly. File History is an improved version of “Previous Versions,” a feature of Windows 7 and Vista that almost no one ever discovered in its hiding place on the Properties menu of individual files. Apple took the same - [Windows 8 Tip: The Five Things You Need To Know For Your First Windows 8 Computer](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/11/windows-8-tip-the-five-things-you-need-to-know-for-your-first-windows-8-computer/) - When you sit down at your first Windows 8 computer, you will be disoriented. Important controls are hidden, toolbars appear and disappear in ways that are unintuitive, and the Start button is missing from the desktop. The learning curve is not steep! In fact, a Windows 7 user can be completely comfortable at a Windows - [Some Fine Print About Windows 8 Upgrades](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/11/some-fine-print-about-windows-8-upgrades/) - Previously: Upgrading To Windows 8 For the next couple of months, the cost of a license to upgrade your existing computer to Windows 8 is almost nothing. The real cost, though, is the time and effort involved, the possibility that the upgrade won’t go smoothly, and the risk that it will have unexpected side effects - [Upgrading To Windows 8](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/11/upgrading-to-windows-8/) - Should you upgrade to Windows 8? Funny you should ask. I’ve been hearing that a lot lately. Let’s see if we can figure out which question you’re really asking. -- Does Windows 8 have enough exciting and interesting new features to be worth the effort to upgrade? -- Should you upgrade over your - [Microsoft Responds To Office 365 Outage](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/11/microsoft-responds-to-office-365-outage/) - The engineering team at Microsoft responsible for Office 365 published a lengthy blog post about the outage on Tuesday. Microsoft is not always very transparent so it is refreshing to get an explanation and – more importantly – to get Promises To Do Better instead of defensiveness. There is more in the blog post but - [Windows 8 Tip: Make Outlook The Default Program For Mail](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/11/windows-8-tip-make-outlook-the-default-program-for-mail/) - This tip is for Outlook users who want to use Outlook exclusively and bypass the Windows 8 Mail app on a desktop computer or notebook. TIP Open Default Programs and select Microsoft Outlook. Click on: “Set this program as default – Use the selected program to open all file types and protocols it can open - [Office 365 Mail Outage](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/11/office-365-mail-outage/) - Some Office 365 users are unable to access their mailbox this morning, either in Outlook or in webmail. Microsoft has acknowledged the problem but no details are yet available. There is a forum thread here where Microsoft promises to publish updates. There is a link for administrators in the left column of the Office 365 - [Windows 8 Tip: Set Internet Explorer To Open On The Desktop](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/11/windows-8-tip-set-internet-explorer-to-open-on-the-desktop/) - This tip is directed to people experiencing Windows 8 for the first time on a desktop or notebook computer who want to minimize confusion by spending most of their time on the familiar Windows 7-style desktop. TIP In Internet Explorer, click on Tools / Options / Programs. Choose to open links: “Always in Internet Explorer - [Windows 8 Tip: Make Desktop The Default Tile On The Start Screen](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/11/windows-8-tip-make-desktop-the-default-tile-on-the-start-screen/) - There is no shortage of guides for learning Windows 8 basics, starting with Microsoft’s guide to new features. Here’s an article that goes through the basics of the Charms bar, the Start Screen, switching apps and snapping them to the sidebar, printing from apps, and more. Instead of writing a tutorial, I’ll be giving you - [The Microsoft Surface Tablet And Productivity (Part 2)](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/11/the-microsoft-surface-tablet-and-productivity-part-2/) - Previously: Some Thoughts On The Microsoft Surface Tablet (Part 1) Because it is built on an operating system that appears identical to Windows 8, Microsoft’s Surface tablet has some features that set it apart from an iPad. This isn’t a full review of the Surface, just some of the reasons that my first impression is - [Some Thoughts On The Microsoft Surface Tablet (Part 1)](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/11/some-thoughts-on-the-microsoft-surface-tablet-part-1/) - I’ve been using a Microsoft Surface tablet for a few days. It is a fascinating device, with pros and cons that make it impossible to deliver any blanket assessment. Most of you should watch and wait as rough edges are smoothed out and developers release a better selection of apps – but not everyone. The - [A Snapshot Of The Tech Market](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/10/a-snapshot-of-the-tech-market/) - Let’s catch our breath for a minute and do a quick recap of where things stand as we head into November. COMPUTERS Windows 8 is becoming available, at least as an option, on new computers from the major manufacturers. At the moment everything is in transition, so you might run into something like the order - [Windows 8 Is Officially Released](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/10/windows-8-is-officially-released/) - With a Microsoft press event in New York followed by crowds filling Times Square at midnight, Windows 8 is now available to everyone, sold with new computers as well as appearing for the first time on tablets and hybrid notebooks with detachable keyboards. You’ll hear about the disruptive changes, of course, the missing Start button - [Everybody Hates Windows 8 (Or So They Say)](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/10/everybody-hates-windows-8-or-so-they-say/) - “If even a tenth of a percent of new Windows 8 users respond with the level of dismay and distress my wife did, Microsoft and those unlucky enough to be in frontline tech support are going to be at the business end of a volcanic eruption of hate. The reaction will be worst from long-time - [Windows 8 Is Completely Different From Windows 7!](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/10/windows-8-is-completely-different-from-windows-7/) - Windows 8 is a mobile OS that includes a rich desktop environment as one – and only one - of its features. Windows 8 is NOT an updated version of Windows 7 that happens to include some mobile apps. When the Windows 8 Start Screen appears, the desktop is one tile. As I described in - [Windows 8 Is Exactly Like Windows 7!](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/10/windows-8-is-exactly-like-windows-7/) - Windows 8 is exactly like Windows 7! Many of you will experience Windows 8 for the first time on a desktop computer or notebook. This article is for you. With some very simple customizing, you will initially spend 99% of your time working on a desktop that has been intentionally designed to look like a - [Windows 8: The View From 36,000 Feet](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/10/windows-8-the-view-from-36000-feet/) - Windows 8 is a term that will be used to refer to several different things. It is the next operating system for Windows computers, but you’ll also see the name used loosely to describe a tablet operating system, a phone operating system, the environment for apps that run on those different platforms, and the design - [Windows 8: The Shift To Mobile Devices](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/10/windows-8-the-shift-to-mobile-devices/) - In order to understand why Microsoft has created Windows 8, you have to look at the long-term, fundamental change in the way the world uses technology. We are in the middle of a massive structural shift from computers to phones and tablets. Mobile devices, not desktop computers, are the future of general-purpose computing. If Microsoft - [The Road To Windows 8](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/10/the-road-to-windows-8/) - On October 25, Microsoft will formally unveil Windows 8, followed closely by a separate presentation of Windows Phone 8 on October 29. Windows 8 computers, notebooks, tablets and hybrid devices will go on sale on October 26, and Windows Phone 8 phones will go on sale through all carriers in early November. Taken together, the - [Use InPrivate To Manage Multiple Online Identities](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/10/use-inprivate-to-manage-multiple-online-identities/) - Here’s a tip for anyone who runs into trouble juggling multiple identities in Internet Explorer. Most of you can look away and stop taking notes – this is extra credit material and won’t be on the test. This is primarily of interest to anyone who provides tech support. SUMMARY Internet Explorer and Windows are designed - [Microsoft Does Not Call To Fix Your PC](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/10/microsoft-does-not-call-to-fix-your-pc/) - A few days ago I was contacted by a woman who had been tricked by a phone caller pretending to represent Microsoft. The caller claimed that her computer had viruses on it and convinced her to give up a credit card number as well as letting the caller make a remote connection to her computer. - [‘Tis The Season For New Software](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/10/tis-the-season-for-new-software/) - As we head into the fall, the software publishers are lining up their annual updated versions of the core Windows programs for businesses. Here are some of the ones that have come up on my radar screen. Microsoft Windows 8 The official unveiling is October 26. I’ve been running Windows 8 on all my computers - [Computer Safety: Look At Links Before You Click](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/09/computer-safety-look-at-links-before-you-click/) - Here’s a simple tip that might help you avoid an encounter with the bad guys trying to break into your computer. There has been a sharp increase in the number of malicious email messages with links that lead to poisoned web sites. The messages might appear to be from Microsoft, from a bank, from UPS, - [Office 2010 Subscriptions For Office 365](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/09/office-2010-subscriptions-for-office-365/) - Many small businesses are using Microsoft hosted Exchange mailboxes run by Office 365. Microsoft has made it clear that it intends to push everyone to subscriptions to Office 2013 next year but Office 365 subscribers don’t have to wait for next year - subscriptions to Office 2010 are available today and there are some good - [New Phone To Beat: HTC Windows Phone 8X](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/09/new-phone-to-beat-htc-windows-phone-8x/) - HTC previewed the Windows Phone 8X and Windows Phone 8S at a press conference last week, with Steve Ballmer beaming onstage like a proud father. The phones will be available sometime in early November, along with the Nokia Lumia 920 and 820, the Samsung Ativ S, and likely others. The HTC Windows Phone 8X looks - [Microsoft Office 2013 Subscription Pricing](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/09/microsoft-office-2013-subscription-pricing/) - Microsoft announced pricing for Office 2013, due to be released early next year. When you upgrade Office or get a new computer, you’ll choose between starting a subscription for an Office 2013 license or buying it outright as you have in the past, and you might be surprised – the table is tilted firmly in - [Batteries Are Improving (Really!)](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/09/batteries-are-improving-really/) - Good news! Batteries are improving rapidly. It might be hard to believe on the days when the low battery alert flashes too soon but the improvements are quite real and there is reason to hope that things will keep getting better. Our lives are ruled by batteries. The collection of rechargers in the suitcase is - [New From Apple: The Nice But Underwhelming iPhone 5 (And An iCloud Outage)](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/09/new-from-apple-the-nice-but-underwhelming-iphone-5-and-an-icloud-outage/) - Apple dominates the news today but perhaps not the way it was hoping: an underwhelming introduction of the iPhone 5 at the press conference yesterday, and some dissatisfaction about an extended outage of iCloud mail. iPHONE 5 First, the good news: the iPhone 5 is the best iPhone yet. It’s also kind of dull. When - [Happy Fifteenth Anniversary To Bruceb.com And Bruceb News!](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/09/happy-fifteenth-anniversary-to-bruceb-com-and-bruceb-news/) - On September 11, 1997, I registered the domain name “bruceb.com.” I’ve been providing computer support for thirty years, ever since I got my first Kaypro II in 1982 and began tugging on people’s sleeves to show them how cool it was. For more than a decade I was the guy down the hall in my - [Amazon Will Begin Collecting California Sales Tax On September 15](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/09/amazon-will-begin-collecting-california-sales-tax-on-september-15/) - Amazon will begin collecting sales tax on California purchases on September 15. If you’ve been thinking about doing some online shopping, you can save money by placing the order this week. This glosses over two technical details. First, it’s actually a use tax, not a sales tax – something to do with Amazon being an - [Amazon’s New Kindles Take On The iPad](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/09/amazons-new-kindles-take-on-the-ipad/) - Amazon unveiled an array of new Kindles at its press conference today, from a $69 basic Kindle (a reduced price on last year’s model), all the way up to a high end tablet that tops out at $599. The details are interesting but the big picture is even better. Amazon has updated last year’s Kindle - [Using The Typewriter Tool In Acrobat X](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/09/using-the-typewriter-tool-in-acrobat-x/) - Adobe made significant changes to the user interface of Acrobat X, the current version of the widely-used program for creating and sharing professional-level PDF files. Like many design changes, the new layout is jarring for people familiar with Acrobat 8 and 9 but most of it works well after you become familiar with it. Acrobat - [Windows 8 Tablet/Notebook Mash-ups](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/08/windows-8-tabletnotebook-mash-ups/) - Manufacturers are showing off upcoming Windows 8 devices for the first time at a trade show in Berlin this week. In a couple of months you’re going to be walking down store aisles full of odd devices with screens and keyboards that twist and turn and swivel and detach and slip in every direction. No - [Sixty Days Of Technology](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/08/sixty-days-of-technology/) - Get some popcorn, keep a grip on your wallet, and settle down. The action is about to begin. There are big changes coming up in the world of mobile devices, and the thrilling conclusion will affect your computers as well when Microsoft officially releases Windows 8. Here’s a look at what lies ahead. WINDOWS PHONE - [Outlook Archives: Litigation Hold And Third-Party Archiving](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/08/outlook-archives-litigation-hold-and-third-party-archiving/) - Previously: Outlook Archives: AutoArchiving And Archive.PST Files Outlook Archives: Office 365 Personal Archives (And The Devil In The Details) There are two other things to mention briefly about different ways to archive your Outlook mailbox. Litigation Hold I have been asked whether it’s possible to prevent employees from deleting or changing anything in their mail - [Outlook Archives: Office 365 Personal Archives (And The Devil In The Details)](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/08/outlook-archives-office-365-personal-archives-and-the-devil-in-the-details/) - Previously: Outlook Archives: AutoArchiving And Archive.PST Files In this article: information about Office 365 personal archives; the detail that might keep you from setting up that archive; quick thoughts about buying licenses for Office as a subscription; and notes for Office 365 administrators about setting up personal archives. Get some coffee and dive in! Office - [Outlook Archives: AutoArchiving And Archive.PST Files](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/08/outlook-archives-autoarchiving-and-archive-pst-files/) - If you’re in a small business using Outlook, your mailbox has probably been growing exponentially for years. Your gut instinct is to keep everything forever but Outlook is slowing down and your IT support people seem upset because maintaining Outlook becomes more difficult as your mailbox grows, for all kinds of reasons. Chances are that - [Just Another Week In Technology](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/08/just-another-week-in-technology/) - The pace is picking up as we head into full-blown techno-craziness this fall. WINDOWS 8 This morning the shipping version of Windows 8 became available to Microsoft TechNet and MSDN subscribers. The download site generated error messages for an hour or so under the weight of the people trying to log in but they got - [Business-Focused Notebooks And Tablets From Lenovo](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/08/business-focused-notebooks-and-tablets-from-lenovo/) - Lenovo is stepping to the front of the pack with new laptops and tablets that look just right for small businesses. The Lenovo lineup of Ultrabooks, thin and light notebooks, is more interesting than any other manufacturer now, and the upcoming products for Windows 8 look compelling. I’m going to encourage my clients to look - [Share Plans And Mobile Broadband Devices](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/08/share-plans-and-mobile-broadband-devices/) - Verizon and AT&T are both offering new share plans that allow all of the family devices to share unlimited calls, unlimited texting, and a pool of data that can be used by up to 10 devices - smartphones, tablets, and PCs. If you already have a number of devices with individual data plans, one of - [The Evolution Of Skydrive](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/08/the-evolution-of-skydrive/) - Microsoft’s vision for Skydrive is starting to come into focus. Microsoft is integrating Skydrive deeply into its entire ecosystem, across its entire product line, until it will seem obvious and inevitable. You might not need to rush but the chances are that you’ll be using Skydrive before long. Skydrive started as a place to store - [Microsoft Reinvents Hotmail As Outlook.com](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/08/microsoft-reinvents-hotmail-as-outlook-com/) - When Microsoft realized that it was on the verge of missing the implications of the Internet, it famously turned the company around in the mid-90s, building web access into all of its products and working out the implications of online access more thoroughly than anyone else. The turnaround that Microsoft is engaged in this year - [Introducing Bruceb Cloud Backup v.2](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/08/introducing-bruceb-cloud-backup-v-2/) - I am happy to announce a major update to Bruceb Cloud Backup, now offering monitored online backups for small businesses and home offices with increased storage and lower prices plus new features and improved, easy-to-use software. One thing hasn’t changed: it’s monitored and supported by Bruceb Consulting, and I’m dedicated to protecting you and your - [Smartphone Reality Check](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/07/smartphone-reality-check/) - The most successful smartphone manufacturer in the world sold more than twice as many phones as its nearest competitor in the second quarter of 2012. In fact, it increased its lead last quarter, when the second-place manufacturer saw sales start to slip. Quick! Without looking, who finished first? It was Samsung, of course - by - [Alt Keyboard Shortcuts In Office 2010](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/07/alt-keyboard-shortcuts-in-office-2010/) - Here’s a small tip that might open up some hidden secrets of Office 2010 and Windows 7. Some people prefer to use the keyboard as often as possible when they’re working in Word or Excel to avoid the delay required to move a hand to the mouse. Windows and Office are filled with keyboard shortcuts - [Microsoft Reinvents Office For The Cloud](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/07/microsoft-reinvents-office-for-the-cloud/) - When Microsoft Office 2013 is released early next year, it will cap off an exhilarating period in which Microsoft is showing an unexpected willingness to reinvent its entire product lineup to address new tech realities. It takes time to understand just how thoroughly the Office lineup has been re-engineered but let’s start with a reassuring - [Bruceb Leaves You Stranded 07/16-07/26](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/07/bruceb-leaves-you-stranded-0716-0726/) - Loyal friends and clients know that each summer I leave them confused and helpless while I fly away to earn Continuing Technical Education credits. This year’s symposium promises to be particularly exciting, a ten-day conference entitled “Cloud Computing And The Higgs Boson: See Me, Hear Me, Fermi.” Each attendee will receive a Higgs boson to - [How To Identify An Ivy Bridge Processor](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/07/how-to-identify-an-ivy-bridge-processor/) - The market for Windows notebooks has begun its transition to new models built on Intel’s Ivy Bridge processors. New products are appearing daily and older models are being upgraded or replaced. Since shopping is a little confusing right now, I’ll try to give you the short course about what you’re looking for. WHY YOU WANT - [Microsoft Reshapes The Server Market](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/07/microsoft-reshapes-the-server-market/) - Windows 8 will get all the press attention when it is released in October but Microsoft is also making deep changes to its server operating systems. Last week it announced details about the Windows Server 2012 lineup and again showed a willingness to shake up the market and send a message about Microsoft’s commanding lead - [DNSChanger Malware And Internet Doomsday](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/07/dnschanger-malware-and-internet-doomsday/) - Lock the doors! Hide the children in the root cellar! Stock up on canned food! DNSChanger is coming and it’s Internet Doomsday! If you see any of this coverage - which is now distressingly widespread - you’d be forgiven for thinking that this is actually an important security issue that requires action. It’s not. If - [Microsoft Will Offer Discounts On Windows 8 Upgrades](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/07/microsoft-will-offer-discounts-on-windows-8-upgrades/) - Microsoft announced today that almost everyone will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 for $39.99 for the first few months after it is released. That is far less than Microsoft has ever charged in the past for a Windows upgrade. It’s an uncharacteristically aggressive move for Microsoft, which seems energized by its do-or-die attempt - [LastPass 2.0 Premium And Form Fill](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/06/lastpass-2-0-premium-and-form-fill/) - Previously: LastPass 2.0: An Upgraded Version Of An Essential Program LastPass 2.0 And Secure Notes LASTPASS PREMIUM Almost all of the important functions of LastPass are available for free, but you should consider paying $12/year for LastPass Premium. Although there are other Premium features, most of you will be paying that dollar a month for - [LastPass 2.0 And Secure Notes](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/06/lastpass-2-0-and-secure-notes/) - Previously: LastPass 2.0: An Updated Version Of An Essential Program The upgrade to LastPass 2.0 includes a meaningful improvement in “Secure Notes” to help you use LastPass to store all of your private information, not just Internet passwords. Secure Notes allow you to store any kind of information securely - a digital encrypted notepad. You - [LastPass 2.0: An Upgraded Version Of An Essential Program](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/06/lastpass-2-0-an-upgraded-version-of-an-essential-program/) - If you’re a LastPass user, you’re being prompted to install an updated toolbar. You’ll be installing LastPass version 2.0, with a few interesting new features and improvements to the browser interface. Passwords are as important to your security as antivirus software. LastPass gives you the confidence to use complex passwords and to choose a different - [Microsoft Surface: The Business Tablet](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/06/microsoft-surface-the-business-tablet/) - Microsoft’s unexpected announcement that it will release two tablets later this year has the industry buzzing. The Microsoft Surface tablets will run Windows 8; the less expensive one is conceptually similar to an iPad, while the more expensive one combines the power of an Ultrabook with the finger-friendliness of Windows 8 and the tablet screen. - [Microsoft Announces Surface Tablets](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/06/microsoft-announces-surface-tablets/) - Microsoft announced today that it will be selling two new Windows 8 tablets under its own name, taking on the iPad and competing with its own partners, the manufacturers who will be distributing their own Windows 8 tablets in the fall. A lot of details were made available about the Microsoft Surface tablets and a - [Before You Call The Help Desk](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/06/before-you-call-the-help-desk/) - The IT Crowd - Have You Tried Turning It Off And On Again [Click here if you don’t see the video above.] As the years go by, your tech problems are getting more and more complex - but it’s still helpful to review the basics every so often. Vivian Manning wrote a nice collection of - [Android Fragmentation (aka Where’s My Ice Cream Sandwich?)](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/06/android-fragmentation-aka-wheres-my-ice-cream-sandwich/) - “Ice Cream Sandwich” was Google’s internal name during development of the latest version of its Android operating system for phones and tablets. It’s now known more formally as Android 4.0. You don’t have it yet. There’s an interesting story about that. Let’s start with the competitors so you can see the contrast with Google’s fumbling - [Apple Updates The MacBook Pro](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/06/apple-updates-the-macbook-pro/) - Apple introduced updated notebooks at the Worldwide Developer Conference this week, with much fanfare and media hubbub - and surprisingly little substance. The highlight is the 15” “MacBook Pro with Retina display,” which follows the “new iPad” in demonstrating that Apple has completely lost its way in product branding. The MacBook Pro has a very - [The New York Times Explains Smartphones And E-Books](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/06/the-new-york-times-explains-smartphones-and-e-books/) - A few days ago the New York Times ran two articles that might be helpful to you if you feel like you’re adrift in the technology sea. A Guide to Deciphering the Language of Smartphones covers the most important (and confusing) acronyms and concepts in the phone world. There are explanations in plain English of - [Apple Patents The Wedge](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/06/apple-patents-the-wedge/) - It’s not a secret that the tech industry is being distorted by our imperfect patent system. Companies are being purchased to obtain their patent portfolios rather than, say, their product lines or talented employees. The mobile phone market seems to be driven as much by patent lawsuits as by genuine innovation. Here’s an eye-opening chart - [SSDs Are The Real Secret To Improved Notebook Performance](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/06/ssds-are-the-real-secret-to-improved-notebook-performance/) - At Computex today, Intel is boasting about the improved performance of its Ivy Bridge chipset. PC vendors are falling all over themselves to get hundreds of new laptops on the market, with most of the attention on the thin and light Ultrabooks built on Ivy Bridge that will dominate the market this year. Random examples: - [Sonic.Net Recognized For Best Privacy Policy](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/06/sonic-net-recognized-for-best-privacy-policy/) - The Electronic Frontier Foundation published its annual study of the privacy polices of top Internet companies and awarded four stars to one and only one company: Sonic.Net, Sonoma’s County’s much-loved broadband and phone service provider. Sonic is the only company to have achieved that distinction in EFF’s annual surveys. EFF examined the policies of eighteen - [Windows Past And Future](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/05/windows-past-and-future/) - Previously: Say Goodbye To Windows XP What Happens If Windows 8 Fails? Windows 8 And Post-PC Computing Windows 8 And The Metro UI Looking backwards: Windows XP Microsoft is pushing businesses to abandon Windows XP. Last month Microsoft announced that it would stop issuing security updates for Windows XP in two years, which would be - [Flame Malware And Information Warfare](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/05/flame-malware-and-information-warfare/) - Security researchers at Kaspersky Labs announced Monday that they had identified a complex collection of malware that has been living on hundreds of Windows computers at least since early 2010 (and possibly several years longer) without being detected. It has since been confirmed by Symantec and McAfee and the work has begun to dissect it, - [Say Goodbye To Windows XP](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/05/say-goodbye-to-windows-xp/) - Many small businesses are clinging to ancient Windows XP computers in the belief that they are saving money by putting off the cost of replacing them. Typically the old computers have been passed down to the lower level employees - the ones who actually do the work - while the partners and owners and managers - [Ultrabook Update And Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/05/ultrabook-update-and-lenovo-thinkpad-x1-carbon/) - Intel’s Ivy Bridge chipsets will be available in new Ultrabooks very soon. There are persistent rumors that the first ones will be on the market after an announcement on June 5 at Computex, an important laptop trade show in Taiwan. Ultrabook is the marketing term for 13”-14” laptops that are ultra-light and ultra-thin. Intel’s new - [Amazon Web Services](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/05/amazon-web-services/) - Amazon is a diverse company. Its financial reports do not break down its revenues into detailed categories but it’s obvious that it has a vast retailing presence in media, electronics, and general merchandise; and it sells a lot of Kindles, including Kindle Fires that arguably make Amazon one of the more successful competitors against Apple - [Office Web Apps And Formatting](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/05/office-web-apps-and-formatting/) - Previously: The Future Of Microsoft Office On Tablets And Online The Future Of Microsoft Online With Office Web Apps Microsoft Office Web Apps can be used to view and edit Office files online in a web browser. You can create new Word, Excel and Powerpoint files online in Skydrive; or you can upload files at - [The Future Of Microsoft Office Online With Office Web Apps](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/05/the-future-of-microsoft-office-online-with-office-web-apps/) - Previously: The Future Of Microsoft Office On Tablets And Online OFFICE WEB APPS Two years ago Microsoft introduced Office Web Apps, online versions of Word, Excel, Powerpoint and OneNote that can be used entirely inside a web browser. If you set up Skydrive on your computer and store files in your Skydrive folder, you can - [The Future Of Microsoft Office On Tablets And Online](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/05/the-future-of-microsoft-office-on-tablets-and-online/) - Microsoft Office has an overwhelming global presence in businesses large and small. Estimates range from “81% of companies” to “holding steady at 94 percent for years”. Google Docs is making inroads but currently controls less than 10% of the market for office applications by any measure (and Google’s momentum has been slowed by publicity over - [Emergency Flash Update](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/05/emergency-flash-update/) - It was another busy week for updating your computers. Microsoft released updates for Windows, Office, Silverlight and .NET Framework on its regular monthly schedule. Adobe was forced to issue an emergency update for Flash after the bad guys began actively exploiting one of the typical oh-my-god-we’re-all-gonna-die vulnerabilities where a malicious file in an email message - [Office 365 And Spam](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/05/office-365-and-spam/) - TAKEAWAY Office 365 delivers all incoming messages to your mailbox. It does not hold messages in a spam quarantine. [05/09/12 Update below] DETAILS Microsoft does thorough spam filtering on incoming mail for Office 365 subscribers - and then uses technology built into Exchange to make the experience with spam completely painless. This is an important - [OneNote 2010 Recycle Bin (And Other Cool OneNote Tricks)](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/05/onenote-2010-recycle-bin-and-other-cool-onenote-tricks/) - Every time I write about Microsoft OneNote, it seems appropriate to introduce it to people who aren’t yet familiar with it. I’ll repeat the overview from my previous articles about OneNote, then give you some tips and tricks that turned up recently. OVERVIEW Microsoft OneNote 2010 collects information on the fly from any source you - [Microsoft Security Essentials Updated To Version 4.0](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/05/microsoft-security-essentials-updated-to-version-4-0/) - An updated version of Microsoft Security Essentials is being installed automatically for anyone currently running the free antivirus program. It is being pushed out silently by the Automatic Updates system and will likely be completely invisible to most of you. It does not require a restart after the update is installed. One recent report showed - [Technical Notes About Dropbox, Google Drive And Skydrive](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/04/technical-notes-about-dropbox-skydrive-and-google-docs/) - Previously: Dropbox, Microsoft Skydrive, Google Drive: Send In The Clones This is not an exhaustive list, just a few things that stand out about the cloud syncing services in their current forms. None of these is a reason to choose one or the other service, they’re just interesting things to know. DROPBOX SPEED Dropbox has - [Dropbox, Microsoft Skydrive, Google Drive: Send In The Clones](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/04/dropbox-microsoft-skydrive-google-drive-send-in-the-clones/) - Microsoft and Google each introduced services this week that are copies of Dropbox in rather precise detail. Taken together, these services represent a fundamental change in the way we use technology. Here’s my best effort to sum it up: Storing files on one device or in one physical location is now just another option - - [Getting Through A Transitional Year](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/04/getting-through-a-transitional-year/) - Let’s gather up all the things that are on the verge of changes large and small. It covers just about every category. The common thread is that not one of them is ready now. Everything is in play. Anything that you buy now will seem like a poor decision in hindsight within a short time. - [The Auto-Complete Address List And Suggested Contacts In Outlook 2010](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/04/the-auto-complete-address-list-and-suggested-contacts-in-outlook-2010/) - When you start to type an address in a new Outlook email message, a menu drops down listing addresses that you’ve sent a message to in the past - the “auto-complete” list. You can send most messages by typing a few letters of someone’s name and hitting the Enter key when the right choice appears. - [iCloud, Outlook And Exchange](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/04/icloud-outlook-and-exchange/) - Previously: Syncing Contacts And Appointments With Smartphones Apple introduced the iCloud service last summer. It is a brilliant, intuitive way to move photos from iPhones to iPads and computers, and it’s the engine to transfer information about your music library so you can play music from an iTunes collection on your iPhone and iPad. iCloud - [Syncing Contacts And Appointments With Smartphones](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/04/syncing-contacts-and-appointments-with-smartphones/) - Syncing your data among your computers and mobile devices is going to be the source of much frustration and gnashing of teeth over the next couple of years. You’re going to want to set things up very carefully to avoid nasty side effects. Your digital life is getting more complicated. iPhones and iPads and Android - [Life Without The Network](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/04/life-without-the-network-3/) - Boing Boing has an article about the aftereffects of a hacking attack on the Economic Development Administration, a small division of the Department of Commerce. The network was quarantined and all the computers were shut down. The unexpected result is that the department appears to be functioning just fine. “Remarkably, despite the return to pre-historic - [Outlook Web App For Office 365](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/04/outlook-web-app-for-office-365/) - Small businesses and law firms are finding that Microsoft’s Exchange mailboxes hosted by Office 365 are secure and stable. One of the best features is the improved experience with Outlook Web App, webmail that has been designed to have as much of the look and functionality of Outlook as possible. (“Outlook Web App” used to - [Mac Gets A Virus (And Other Apple Woes)](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/04/mac-gets-a-virus-and-other-apple-woes/) - A nasty bit of malware named “Flashback” has reportedly infected 600,000 Macs worldwide, more than half located in the US. Here’s some news coverage when the announcement was made last week by a Russian security company, followed by corroboration by Kaspersky Lab. Apple is gaining market share, which inevitably will draw attention from bad guys. - [The Latest Toys](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/04/the-latest-toys/) - New toys are coming on the market, just as promised. As you look at them, keep in mind that this is only the beginning. This is a transition year that will be filled with new products, each one looking better/cheaper/shinier than the one before it. ULTRABOOKS By summer the shelves will be full of 13” - [A User’s Guide To The Bruceb Favorites Page](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/04/a-users-guide-to-the-bruceb-favorites-page/) - https://www.bruceb.com/favorites My loyal friends and clients know that I am inordinately proud of the Bruceb Favorites page. I want to show it off to all the new subscribers to the Bruceb News mailing list. The Bruceb Favorites page is a simple directory of obvious places. It has links to five hundred web sites and online - [Getting Serious About Audio With JRiver Media Center 17](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/03/getting-serious-about-audio-with-jriver-media-center-17/) - JRiver Media Center 17 is a Windows program for music and video. You can try it for free for 30 days. It costs $49.98. Most of you don’t need it. There are some advantages to using iTunes, especially if you have an iPhone or iPad. It’s simple and you’re used to it. If you’re happy - [Windows Tip: Customize The Windows 7 Start Menu](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/03/tip-customize-the-windows-7-start-menu/) - We have a long relationship with the Windows Start menu. It was introduced in ancient times in Windows 95 and expanded to two columns in Windows XP. We are emotionally attached to it at a deep level, as you will discover when you try to adjust to a different concept in Windows 8. Here’s a - [3G, 4G, And Life In The Rural Slow Lane](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/03/3g-4g-and-life-in-the-rural-slow-lane/) - Sonoma County is a rural county. We look at Santa Rosa and our chests swell at our bustling urban metropolis (population 167,000), but make no mistake: to cell phone carriers, we are small-fry. In 2012 that has a very precise and painful meaning for your mobile devices. We are inundated with ads touting the wonders - [Walled Gardens Postscript: Just Tell Me What To Do!](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/03/walled-gardens-postscript-just-tell-me-what-to-do/) - Previously: Walled Gardens, Part 1: Apple Walled Gardens, Part 2: Google Walled Gardens, Part 3: Microsoft This is a transition year. There are no right or wrong answers. Buy whatever feels right and be prepared for some bumps and the possibility that you’ll replace a device or two in 2013 to consolidate everything in one - [Walled Gardens, Part 3: Microsoft](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/03/walled-gardens-part-3-microsoft/) - Previously: Walled Gardens, Part 1: Apple Walled Gardens, Part 2: Google MICROSOFT Set your clock ahead by eight months. It’s the holiday shopping season in late 2012. Make two assumptions. Microsoft has delivered Windows 8. In its final form, the design is solid and well accepted. The app store is lively and the cloud components - [Walled Gardens, Part 2: Google](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/03/walled-gardens-part-2-google/) - Previously: Walled Gardens, Part 1: Apple Next: Walled Gardens, Part 3: Microsoft GOOGLE Far more Android phones have been sold than iPhones. In fact, in the fourth quarter of 2011, while Apple was riding that tidal wave of iPhone 4S sales (with all the attendant publicity), consumers were quietly buying more than twice as many - [Urgent Patch Issued By Microsoft](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/03/urgent-patch-issued-by-microsoft/) - On Patch Tuesday, Microsoft delivered a small number of fairly unimportant updates - and one security patch that is being pushed with unusual urgency. Your individual computers are installing this automatically. If your computer restarted this week, you’re up to date. Don’t panic. If you want to see if the update was installed on your - [Walled Gardens, Part 1: Apple](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/03/walled-gardens-part-1-apple-google-and-microsoft/) - By the end of 2012, there will be three walled gardens shaping your technology world. Every device you buy will be in one of those gardens. If all of your devices are part of the same garden, you will have a peaceful time enjoying the rewards of a well-groomed, beautiful landscape. The gardens are separated - [The New iPad And A Look At Apple’s Future](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/03/the-new-ipad-and-a-look-at-apples-future/) - Whenever Apple releases a new product there is a tidal wave of news coverage. You already know there’s a new iPad on the way. I won’t go through the details, just comment on the big picture. If you want a rundown of the specific new features, try this. The new iPad is a minor upgrade - [Be Careful With Confidential Data On Mobile Devices](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/03/be-careful-with-confidential-data-on-mobile-devices/) - As much as we all hate remembering passwords and thinking about security, it’s hard to ignore the constant headlines on the front page about hacking and security and privacy. You’re getting better. You’re well trained to practice safe computing on your home and office computers. With the help of LastPass, many people have begun to - [Prompts for RED001 Password After Office 365 Migration](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/03/prompts-for-red001-password-after-office-365-migration/) - Previously: Persistent Outlook Password Prompts For Office 365 This is a troubleshooting tip that only applies to a few people - but those few people are very glad to have an answer. Microsoft began selling hosted Exchange mailboxes in 2008. It is now engaged in a year-long project to migrate all subscribers from Microsoft Online - [Windows Tip: Remove Unwanted Toolbars](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/03/tip-remove-unwanted-toolbars/) - We are under constant assault from advertisers seeking a foothold on our computers. We invite some of them into our lives voluntarily - every time you do a Google search or check your Facebook page, you’re making advertisers very happy (and making Google and Facebook exceedingly rich). There is, however, a bit of advertising that - [Tip: Use F.lux To Adjust The Warmth Of Your Monitor](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/02/tip-use-f-lux-to-adjust-the-warmth-of-your-monitor/) - F.lux is a free utility that is useful if you use the same computer during the day and in the evening. F.lux will adjust the display on the monitor to match the lighting to the time of day. It’s easier on your eyes and might even help you sleep. The program does not change the - [Windows Tip: Turn Off Transparency In Windows 7](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/02/tip-turn-off-transparency-in-windows-7/) - There are thousands of ways to customize Windows 7. This week I’ll describe a few that might fit a few people and be unimportant for others. Almost everyone runs Windows 7 with Aero enabled. Aero harnesses the video power in the current generation of motherboards and video cards to produce the thumbnail window previews that - [What Happens If Windows 8 Fails?](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/02/what-happens-if-windows-8-fails/) - Previously: Windows 8 And Post-PC Computing Windows 8 And The Metro UI Windows will continue to be the dominant platform for enterprises and professionals but it runs the risk of becoming irrelevant - or at best, just another equal but decreasingly important option - for a generation growing up with no particular loyalty to it. - [Windows 8 And The Metro UI](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/02/windows-8-and-the-metro-ui/) - The Start screen on your Windows 8 computer will look something like the screen above. If Microsoft is successful is finding a place in the market for mobile devices, this is what the Start screen will look like on your next tablet: And the Start screen on your next phone will look something like - [Windows 8 And Post-PC Computing](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/02/windows-8-and-post-pc-computing/) - The logo for Windows 8 that was unveiled over the weekend symbolizes a lot of things that will have a deep effect on you sooner than you think. In a couple of weeks Microsoft will unveil a “consumer preview” of Windows 8 and begin a drumbeat of publicity that will lead up to the launch - [Bruceb Takes A Few Days Off](https://www.bruceb.com/2012/02/bruceb-takes-a-few-days-off/) - Loyal clients know that each year I attend the annual conference on Developments In Dynamotronic Computational Datamancy so I can stay up to date on the latest developments in the field. It’s a fast-moving technology world and I can’t look away for a second. No, no, don’t thank me, it’s just something I have to ## Pages - [Home](https://www.bruceb.com/) - One of the leading IT consulting firms in the North Bay. For twenty years, Bruce Berls has been providing computer consulting and networking support to law firms, small businesses, and individuals. - [Favorites](https://www.bruceb.com/favorites/) - TOP SITES NEWS SEARCH / AI SOCIAL EMAIL PHOTOS LAW BUSINESS TRAVEL MOVIES & TV ARTS REFERENCE HEALTH TECH NEWS WEB SERVICES GOOGLE MICROSOFT COMPUTERS MOBILE DOMAINS BRUCEB News CNN Google News The Guardian New York Times Washington Post Search Google Google AI Mode Perplexity Wikipedia Bing AI ChatGPT Gemini NotebookLM Claude Copilot Social Bluesky - [Dell Vostro V13 (2010)](https://www.bruceb.com/store/technology/dell-vostro-v13-2010/) - DELL VOSTRO V13 (2010) $175 plus shipping No online sales. Please contact Bruce Berls at bruceb@bruceb.com if you’re interested. 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