This issue of NerdViews contains:- Personal "Cell Tower" & free daytime minutes?
- AT&T DSL: Does your DSL seem slower?
- Comcast: CHANGING your Security software
- Apple Mac: Comcast Security now available
- Windows: Firefox vs Internet Explorer
- Old PCs: Some new PCs still come with Windows XP
- Printing: Wireless printing for the future
- FREE Stuff: Check daily for the Give Away of the Day
- Everyone: Upgrade your passwords!
Personal "Cell Tower" & free daytime minutes?
MagicJack has sold 3 MILLION (!) $40 devices which connect to a wired phone and lets you call local/long distance for $12-$20 per YEAR via your internet connection). A new version coming in April will do the same for your CELL phone! Your cell phone will have a stronger signal, AND your daytime minutes will be FREE !!! Only GSM (the world-wide standard) phones (like AT&T and T-Mobile) will work. Verizon (normally CDMA) offers "world phones" which are dual-band: both CDMA and GSM. I'll report more after I test on my own. But since mobile contracts go for 2 years, next time you renew/switch, get a phone with GSM. PS - This year MagicJack will also allow phone number transfers instead of assigning you a new one.
More info: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/08/magicjack-makes-a-femtocell-might-make-that-advertising-worth-h/
and http://www.pcworld.com/article/186308/magicjack_harnesses_femtocell_for_voip.html
AT&T DSL: Does your internet seem slower?
Recently I've had some clients with very slow DSL. DSL service shares the phone wires with your landline telephone service, and originally you received a kit of "DSL filters" to install on EVERY wired phone or FAX device. Since DSL, if you've added a new cordless phone or a FAX/printer without also adding a DSL filter, your internet speed with slow dramatically and/or your voice quality will deteriorate. Please check ALL of your wired phone/fax connections to make sure a filter is in place -- and that the phone/fax wire is properly plugged into the 'telephone' socket of dual-socket filters. You can get additional filters at Radio Shack (don't forget wall phones!).
Comcast: CHANGING your Security software
The BEST security software doesn't expire. But because Comcast is switching from McAfee to Norton 360 v3 Internet Security, existing McAfee from Comcast will expire May 12, 2010. Don't worry, Comcast made the process easy enough for a caveman ;-) (you don't need a Nerd to do it for you!). Just go to Comcast's security website (http://security.comcast.net/) and use your "@comcast.net" email address and password for authorization (if you don't know it, call 1-800-COMCAST for assistance). Click on the SWITCH NOW button, and follow all of the default prompts. As part of the Norton install you'll be prompted to uninstall McAfee. After a PC restart the Norton 360 v3 installation will continue automagically.
Apple Mac: Free Norton 360 v3 from Comcast is now available
Virus writers target the mass market --Windows, so Macs don't seem to get viruses, but it CAN happen. Comcast subscribers with Macs can now install free security software for up to 7 Mac and Windows PCs. http://security.comcast.net/
Windows: Firefox vs Internet Explorer
The Virus mass-market is Windows AND Internet Explorer. SEVERAL times now, Microsoft has recommended that users NOT use Internet Explorer until a newly discovered vulnerability is patched. So what are you waiting for? If you haven't already, install Firefox from http://www.mozilla.org. Installation will automatically import your Internet Explorer "Favorites" to Firefox "Bookmarks", and your PC will be more secure if you accidentally browse to a malicious website. Google has announced that their websites will no longer support Internet Explorer v6 or earlier, so if you haven't already done so, upgrade your Internet Explorer to the latest version 8 (Windows 7 users already have v8) at
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/worldwide-sites.aspx.
Old PCs: Some new PCs still come with Windows XP
Old PCs running Windows 98 or Windows 2000 can't be upgraded beyond IE v6 (or Firefox V2), so it's time to think about replacing them. You can still get PCs with BOTH Windows 7 and Windows XP; look for it in the specifications. Since Windows 7 may not be compatible with older printers/software, you may incur extra cost replacing a printer or upgrading software. Staying with XP may actually cost less!
Wireless printing for the future
$100 Brother HL-2170W Network Black/White Laser Printer - Laser, 600 x 2400 dpi, 23 PPM, USB/Wireless/Ethernet
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3536908&sku=B50-HL2170W
While you’re visiting TigerDirect, don’t forget a backup disk drive!
$75 Hitachi SDM/500CF SimpleDrive Mini Portable Backup Disk Drive - 500GB, USB 2.0
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4853017&CatId=4226
FREE Stuff: Check daily for the Give Away of the Day
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/
Everyone: Upgrade your passwords!
Take a look at some of these tips:
* The 10 worst passwords on the internet:
http://eepurl.com/g3l2
* Password Lessons and Tips from Lifehacker:
http://eepurl.com/g3mo
* The Usability of Passwords (pass "phrases" to be specific):
http://eepurl.com/g8NGIf you have any questions on technology purchases, just call toll free 1.877.I.T.NERDS (1-877-486-3737) or send an email to info@professionalnerds.com.
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As always, THANK YOU for your residential and business referrals.
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