My Technology Guide: Chance to Win Handy Backup Professional

When you have a chance to grab good commercial grade software for FREE, I say go for it… A blogging partner, My Technology Guide, currently is offering a chance to win 2 free licenses of Handy Backup Professional absolutely FREE. Usually the license costs $99 but you have a chance to get it FREE!

To enter this contest:

1. Subscribe to My Technology Guide Newsletter which is FREE. You can subscribe to it using the Subscribe form given in the sidebar or using following direct link:

Subscribe to My Technology Guide Newsletter

P.S. Don’t forget to confirm your subscription by clicking on the verification email sent from Feedburner when you subscribe. If your subscription is incomplete and not confirmed you will not be eligible for the giveaway.

2. Leave a comment… While leaving your comment, make sure to use the same email address which you registered for My Technology Guide email newsletter, otherwise you won’t be eligible for the giveaway.

The winner will be randomly picked and announced onJune 25th, 2010.

Handy Backup™ Professional is a powerful backup solution for advanced PC users and small businesses with Microsoft Windows^®-based IT-infrastructures. It provides a range of security and business-critical features. You can read more about Handy Backup Professional [HERE] .

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Tech-for Everyone: WinPatrol Plus License Giveaway

I do not know how TechPaul, at Tech-for Everyone, is doing this… Giveaway after giveaway… This week you need to visit his site for a chance to win a WinPatrol Plus License Giveaway. Simply click [ HERE ] to preview the article about WinPatrol Plus; then, leave a comment to say hello to TechPaul and that you are interested in entering the contest. The contest ends June 18th at midnight.

Folks, WinPatrol is awesome software that helps protect you from the nasties on the internet that can hit your PC at the machine level. The WinPatrol dog, Scotty, will bark to alert you when there is a potential intrusion. I have been using this software for years and I highly, highly recommend it. You can read more about WinPatrol [ HERE ] .

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A Notes Manager with a Gorgeous Interface

I have always have had an attraction to software, such as personal information managers and sticky notes programs, to help me stay organized. I have tried and tested numerous types of these programs and many of them are very, very good; however there is always a downside. Many of the personal information managers often carry with them a steep learning curve, and with many of the sticky notes programs I end up cluttering my desktop (with virtual sticky notes). If only I could have a little of both worlds… Well, after a week of searching and testing I believe I found what I was looking for, in a program called AllMyNotes Organizer…

AllMyNotes Organizer is simply a program that you use to centrally store and organize all your notes; whether it be recipes, to do lists, vacation plans, shopping lists, correspondence, a diary, blog articles, or private information. Anything you can imagine can be stored in AllMyNotes Organizer. The best parts I like about using this notes organizer is that it is easy to use, has a very nice notes’ editor, is available as a portable app, all notes are searchable, can be password protected (using 1800 bit key), and is absolutely gorgeous.

One thing to point out…  AllMyNotes Organizer is available in a FREE version and a Deluxe (paid) version. When you downloand and run AllMyNotes Organizer you are treated to a 14 day trial of the Deluxe version. After the 14 days the software reverts to the FREE version, minus some of the options that were available in the Deluxe version. In the end, the FREE version is still awesome and who knows you may like this enough to buy the Deluxe version.

Major Features:

Strong security: files are encrypted and can bepassword-protected. Data file on disk is encrypted using 1800-bit key even when password is unassigned, to do not leave a trace of your private information on hard drive or USB stick!

Functional and yet simple interface with skins and translated to number of languages (English, German, Spanish, French,Swedish, Italian, Portuguese (+Brazilian Portugues), Czech, Croatian, Korean, Mainland Simplified Chinese, Taiwan Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Bulgarian, Hugarian, Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish, more will be available soon…)

Powerful Global Search feature, for searching text across one or all notes with different options. Filter-on-typing for extra fast, real-time. Global search allows powerful Google-like query language (*).

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NEW Google Chrome Extension called START

UPDATE: The Chrome Extension, called Fabulous New Tab, is now called Start.  The developer, as a result of the evolution of this extension, opted to change the name.  It is an awesome extension.  Be sure to check it out [ HERE ] .

Recently I posted a review about the Google Chrome extension called Bookmarks Browser and Fabulous New Tab. The developer of Bookmarks Browser and Fabulous New Tab has enhanced (or evolved) this extension into another fantastic extension called Start (an easy to use, flexible start page).

Here’s how it works… After you install “Start” (in Google Chrome) and you open a new tab, your saved bookmarks and toolbar favorites are conveniently available to you in a very attractive (easy to use) interface. At this point you can select the site you desire to open and voila’ it will open in that tab. This extension not only makes access to your bookmarks readily available in an otherwise blank (new) tab, it also allows you to open the bookmarked site in the same tab. A very nice and well thought out application…

If you are a Google Chrome user, you can get this NEW Chrome browser extension  [ HERE ] .

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When Windows Updates Go Bad

Windows Updates is a necessary evil that routinely provides (usually 2nd Tuesday of each month) Windows Operating System Updates, as well as, security or critical updates that help protect us from known malware and security exploits. The general rule of thumb, for the home based computer user, is to have your computer set to install the updates automatically.

When your computer is online, Windows can automatically check for important updates and install them using these settings.  When new updates are available, you can also install them before shutting down the computer.

As with anything that has to do with computers, there are those isolated times when Windows Updates do not download/install properly; thus creating a frustrating situation for the end user. This can be anything from an update causing an error message to an update that repeatedly keeps reappearing. The complexity of this entire update process is really an amazing process and finding answers to resolve update problems that occur, as a result of this amazing process, is even more complex. Most end users experiencing these types of issues often accept the problem and avoid finding the fix, thus compromising the stability and security of their computers.

What is the fix and what are you to do when Windows Updates Go Bad?

As I stated, this process is complex and when problems do occur there is not a magical fix that will fix every Windows Update problem you may encounter; HOWEVER, Microsoft has recognized that end users need available resources to investigate, research and ultimately resolve any Windows Update problems that have occurred or may occur.

There are (2)-two online Microsoft resources that I use to not only educate myself about Windows Updates; but, to find the fix for any update problems myself and/or others may experience. Just keep in mind, if you are experiencing an update problem; there is likelihood you are not alone, and someone else has already been down that road. It is important you document (on paper) what issue(s) you are seeing so that you can accurately research the issue (e.g. error message, update ID, update icon repeatedly in system tray, etc…)

1.)  Microsoft Update Solution Center – Here you can research the top update issues experienced by other users, information about error messages you may be experiencing, some “How To’s” about Windows Updates and last, but not least, how to contact a support professional (either by email, online or phone).

2.) Microsoft Answers – Windows Updates – This is a forum based option to look at to determine if someone else may have experienced the same problem you have. The forum(s) are Microsoft operated, and in essence can be used to research any Microsoft Windows problem you may be experiencing. In this case our issue is Windows Updates. To give an example, a Microsoft Engineer responded to the following issue that numerous people were recently experiencing:  Error Code 0x8007F0F4 or Error Code 0XFFFFFFFF when installing Windows Update MS10-015(KB 977165) .  If you notice the error code numbers and Windows Update ID is reflected.  This is why you need to document (on paper) what issue, error code(s) and the Windows Update ID you are seeing.

As I always say, “I hope I have been as clear as mud!”.  In all seriousness, both of these resources can be of great assistance when your Windows Updates go bad!

(Addendum – 12 June 2010)

TechPaul at Tech-for Everyone , in connection with this article, pointed out that live Microsoft support is free for any security-related issue, such as Updates.  Just call 866-PC SAFETY.

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What’s On My PC – Top Ten All Time Articles

It is has been almost 2 years that I first started blogging and was spoon fed, from afar, by the likes of Bill Mullins’ at Tech Thoughts and TechPaul at Tech-for Everyone. I can honestly attest, as a rookie blogger, it has been a challenge; however, today I can further attest it has been both rewarding and a daily exercise of the mind.

What is amazing about blogging is that it is unpredictable. Articles or information that you think will never amount to anything ends up being popular; AND, others you feel are great, just don’t quite hit the mark. To qualify that statement, I have posted links to the top ten all time articles at What’s On My PC…

The one article that really amazes me (that is #3 on the list), is the article where people are still looking for that America Online (AOL) CD. The article, in summary, explains steps (actually a trick) to make your own CD, since it is very difficult to get your hands on an actual CD. As of the date of this article, according to my statistics, nearly 10,000 people cannot live without the AOL CD. I’m guessing, from all of those years where AOL spammed our postal mailboxes with the AOL CD’s, the brainwashing affects continue to live on.

What’s On My PC – Top Ten All Time

1. If you experience Windows Vista Service Pack 2 installation issues…
2. Creating a personalized font from your own handwriting…
3. Creating an AOL Install CD… (if you must:)
4. How to use a Blackberry Smartphone with a cheap “Pay As You Go” mobile phone plan…
5. When Vista will not boot…
6. bing – Microsoft’s New Search Engine
7. Review of the Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player
8. Technibble’s (portable and FREE) Computer Repair Utility Kit
9. Adding a “Watermark” in Microsoft Word 2003
10. “WOT” is NEW…

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NexusFile – An Alternative to Windows Explorer

Learning file management on your computer, to me, is a “must learn” function. It not only teaches you how to organize and manage your files (and folders); it also teaches you about the Windows hierarchy design and pathing schemes. Learn file management and it all starts making sense.

If you are into file management you will soon learn that Windows Explorer is not a premier file manager. I sometimes think Microsoft should take some lessons on file management themselves and start thinking more from the user’s level. Windows Explorer is basically a flat file manager that lacks dual pane functionality and ready access to tools needed for file management tasks. Years ago, in the DOS days, a good file manager app was a necessity (from a tech standpoint) in order to accomplish specific tasks.

Thankfully, software developers have come to the rescue and are actively developing alternatives to using Windows Explorer. For example, I am an avid user of QDir; however, another option that recently crossed my plate, that I am currently toying with, is called NexusFile.

The “cool factor” to this file manager is the (default) appearance. The appearance is a black background with colorful text, which to some may be a turn off. As I continued to toy around with NexusFile, the more I enjoyed it. It is fast, provides dual pane functionality, tabbed browsing, is easy to read, has built in FTP, numerous tools (such as split/join files, compare folders, disk cleanup, add comments, change attributes, etc.) and is available as a portable app. The more you use it, the more it grows on you! As a matter of fact it is apps like this, that are a little different, that draws me right in. The only issue I experienced, thus far, was that I was unable to launch the app on a PC where I did not have administrative rights.  If you want to give NexusFile a spin, you can get it [ HERE ] .

Some Features of NexusFile:

Basic Functions: Copy/Move To, Copy/Cut/Past, Delete/Shred, Rename, Change Attributes/Time

Advanced Rename: Rename multiple files at once with many powerful options

Navigate Folders: Favorite Folders, Working Folders, Tabs, Smart Address Bar

Dual Panels: Open two folders at once.

Archives: manages ZIP, ARJ, RAR, ACE archive files

FTP: basic FTP functions

File Join/Split: Split large file into many small files or Join small files into a large file. Merge several text files into a file.

Save File List: Save file/folder list with many formats

Shortcuts: Most functions has a Keyboard shortcut so you can do everything fast.

Multi-language: Multi-language supports with language files.

Skin: you can change the look of a program.

Disk Cleanup: Empty RecycleBin, Delete temporary files, …

Compare Folders: compare two folders

Unicode: Unicode file name supported

And many other useful functions with easy interface.

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