BRUCEB NEWS
WINDOWS 2000 & GAMES
Windows 2000 is so stable that it’s easy to forget to keep it up to date. If you’re running Windows 2000, visit Microsoft Windows Update and check for critical updates. (If you haven’t installed Service Pack 1, it’s a good idea, but not if you’re on a dialup…
UNDERSTANDING AND GUARDING AGAINST INTERNET-BASED ATTACKS
Another Symantec bulletin uses plain English to describe how hackers look for a computer to attack over the Internet, what might make you a target, and steps you can take to protect yourself. This is also highly recommended reading.
TOP TEN WAYS TO PRESERVE YOUR DATA
Symantec circulated a very nice list of basic ways to protect your computer and preserve your data. This is highly recommended reading. Common sense, plain English descriptions about backups, creating Windows startup disks, updating virus definitions, preventing…
MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP
Windows 2000 Professional is the most stable operating system ever released for a personal computer. It’s a joy. But it’s missing some of the cuddly features that home users appreciate, it wasn’t marketed aggressively to small businesses, and many…
LOGITECH CORDLESS OPTICAL MOUSE
I know a couple of people who picked up the Logitech cordless keyboard/mouse combo over at Costco. Thumbs up all round, so far. Tomorrow Logitech will introduce a wireless optical mouse. “Optical” means it doesn’t have a ball on the bottom, and it…
MAC OS X
I’ve already had some evangelists tell me that Apple’s new operating system, OS X, will be the jewel that restores Apple’s market position and credibility. (It will be sold at retail starting next week, and shipped with new systems starting this…
ONSTREAM IN BANKRUPTCY
OnStream made tape backup systems. I loved them. Unparalleled reliability. A unique tape format, but I never had a problem with one of their cartridges. When I think of the hours I’ve lost wrestling with conventional Travan tape drives . . . well, OnStream was…
GOOGLE TOOLBAR
Google continues to provide search results that are so accurate that it’s spooky. It bears repeating – as much as I hate screen clutter, I recommend the Google Toolbar, a browser addon that puts a slender Google search bar across the top of the screen. Not…
FLAT-PANEL MONITORS
Prices on flat-panel monitors are finally falling. and it looks like this summer will be the time to buy one. The prediction is that a 15″ flat-screen monitor will be in the $400 range, and 17-18 inch monitors will be $700 or so. (Don’t forget that the…
NORTON ANTIVIRUS BUGGY E-MAIL PROTECTION
Norton Antivirus offers a feature called “e-mail protection” that I routinely turn off. It’s a service that scans e-mail for viruses as messages come into your system – an appealing idea, but it’s implemented badly. It changes the…