Courtney Pelzel's IT support blog. Virus alerts, network alerts and security updates for administrators. IT support San Antonio businesses can depend on. Helpful tips and fun articles about computers, networking, computer repair, computer service and IT support
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Headed to the 13th Floor Haunted House San Antonio
We're headed to the haunted house tonight to get the bejeezez scared out of us at the 13th Floor Haunted House San Antonio Tonight!!
Removing Browser Hijack in Firefox
Step 1. Removing browser hijack in firefox
Click the Orange Firefox button or in older browsers Tools menu | Add-ons | Extensions
Click on the extensions icon and you can remove or disable any unwanted extensions there. ie. Funmoods
Step 2. Be sure to reboot the browser for any changes to take effect.
Source:
Asap Computer Services
www.asapcomputerservices.com
Top 10 iPhone 5 Wallet Cases
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/laptopmag/~3/nBP-OTT-fpA/top-10-iphone-5-wallet-cases
Reviewers praise Microsoft Surface tablet, but unhappy with apps and OS
TV ads touting Microsoft's Windows 8 leak to Internet
Features that Google Chrome should steal from other browsers
Google Chrome has been a colossal success. Although reports vary, Google’s browser now has between 19% and 34% of the desktop browser market. Thanks to Chrome’s meteoric rise, many derivative alternatives have been created, and they offer many interesting features and fundamental differences. A vanilla Chrome installation, even with extensions, just cannot mimic some of this functionality.
These alternatives range from Google’s own open-source Chromium Project to specialty browsers like the security-focused Comodo Dragon. There are too many to count, and there doesn’t seem to be an end to their creation. However, three Chrome derivatives are particularly of interest, and a number of their ideas are worth considering for the main branch.
First up is SRWare Iron. This browser is designed with user privacy in mind. Some of us are uncomfortable with the amount of data that Google can track when you install and use Chrome, and this is absolutely a solution for this. Features like search suggestions, installation tracking, and error reporting don’t even exist in SRWare Iron. While Chrome can be configured to be more privacy-focused, some options can’t be changed easily, if at all. While it’s in Google’s best interest to gather as much data about you as legally possible, it would very nice if the company offered a single toggle to turn off all tracking features.
In 2005, a browser called Flock came onto the scene. It launched using Mozilla’s Gecko rendering engine, and focused on the idea of social browsing. Later, it switched to WebKit, the same core rending engine used by Chrome (and Safari). It soon changed hands and was swiftly discontinued. Flock.com now cites the famous Twain quote “The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated,” and features a newsletter signup field. Flock might not be around anymore, but it does have a spiritual successor.
RockMelt launched in 2010 for Mac OS X, and it continued the idea of a social web browser. It integrates both Facebook and Twitter into the interface with the intention of making it easier to share and discuss web content very easily. It’s still not available in a finished form, but you can sign to be notified of version 1.0′s release. Now, many social extensions are available in the Chrome Web Store. Cortex, for example, is extremely useful for sharing content on social networks. It’s worth having around, but it just doesn’t have the same utility that a true social browser does. While extensions are good at sharing, there isn’t much in the way of receiving updates from friends in a simple and easy way. Chrome could certainly take a page out of RockMelt’s book, and the social experience could be improved greatly for the end-user.
Finally, a little browser called Robin is worth noting. It started out with the name Raven, trademark concerns arose, and updates have been a bit spotty since then. The beta download link isn’t even working as of publication. That said, it does include a rather good idea that Google could take advantage of: A dock. Google introduced installable web apps in 2010, but there isn’t really a good way to launch and switch between them as you’re browsing. Robin solves this problem by having a dock permanently attached to the left-hand side of the browser. Not only is it easy to launch and switch web apps, but navigation is also baked right in. For example, launching the Tumblr web app allows you to easily switch between your dashboard and editor. If Google wants web apps to overtake traditional native apps, this would be a great step in that direction.
In sum, each of these Chrome derivatives might not be revolutionary by themselves, but they do offer up some great ideas ripe for the taking. If Google starts implementing some of these ideas, the gap between Chrome and its competition will undoubtedly widen even farther.
Now read: The death of Firefox
EU sends Microsoft formal antitrust complaint
Friday, October 26, 2012
Microsoft to webcast Windows 8 launch event Thursday
Microsoft relents: Windows XP downgrades now available until 2020
Microsoft has surprised everyone by extending the option to downgrade from Windows 7 to Windows XP until 2020. Originally Windows XP downgrades from Microsoft’s latest operating system were going to be cut off in April this year, but that was later extended to April 2011. This latest decision is a major shift away from that. [...]
Apple Q4 2012 hardware sales: By the numbers
Source: http://www.zdnet.com/apple-q4-2012-hardware-sales-by-the-numbers-7000006435/
Samsung's Galaxy Note II: A first look at a sleek new Note
Samsung has introduced a follow-up to its initial offering: the Galaxy Note II. This tweaked version offers a sleeker and easier-to-hold design, an improved version of the S-Pen, and upgraded software.
Source: http://blogs.computerworld.com/smartphones/20964/samsungs-galaxy-note-ii-first-look-sleek-new-note
Steve Ballmer envies iPad, says tablets are “job one urgency”
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer told a room full of Wall Street analysts that Apple has done a swell job with iPad and stressed his company is hard at work to make Windows 7 tablet computing a reality. According to a transcript by CNET, Microsoft sees that tablets are maturing beyond the niche market. Praising Apple’s [...]
Microsoft's long-term Windows 8 app strategy may backfire, say analysts
Kinect now available for preview at Microsoft stores
Microsoft's Twitter revealed Thursday that the public can now visit Microsoft stores to try out its new hands-free motion controller, Kinect. While the Twitter account states that Microsoft stores "nationwide" will carry the Kinect demo, there happen to only be four such stores in the entire country. So, if you're lucky enough to live near Scottsdale, Arizona, southern California, or Lone Tree, Colorado, feel free to head down to your nearest Microsoft store, try out the new product, and tell us what you think. Otherwise, you'll have to wait until the product ships this November. The Twitter account also mentions that the stores will be previewing Kinectimals this weekend.
Source: http://www.geek.com/articles/games/kinect-now-available-for-preview-at-microsoft-stores-20100625/
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
By: Courtney Pelzel
What most people don’t realize, is that they can create their own cloud.
Terminal Server, aka Remote Desktop services for windows server 2008 allows a “private cloud” to be created owned and controlled the the Small Business.
KJ97 - How can a San Antonio Computer Hacker Steal Your Truck?
Welcome
Getting our computers repaired can become an annoyance when we do not know who to trust with our computers. Yes, there are many computer repair shops or companies that claim to do that. Be it installing an operating system, recovering data after a system crash, or troubleshooting a hardware issue, many will claim to do it well. Unfortunately, if you go to the wrong provider and entrust your computer to them, it will be too late before you realize. A good repair is one in which you do not have to rush back to the repair company after you get your computer mended by them. This is one of the most offensive and unwelcome things for any of us.
So what can you do? Well, go for a good and reliable company! In San Antonio there is ASAP Computer Services that takes care of not only the hardware and software issues of a computer but also offers onsite support of server installation along with other network-related services. This is one company you can definitely trust because it has a long list of satisfied customers who are very pleased with the service they received. The company also has good customer reviews. Therefore, if you want your computer or other network-related need to be met and resolved the right way without fooling you out of unnecessary expenditure, you should go for ASAP Computer Services.
If you are interested in reading more about this, please check out San Antonio Computer Repair
Source: http://sanantoniocomputerrepair5.blog.com/2012/01/24/welcome/
Sunday, October 14, 2012
San Antonio Clients Computer Stolen. Be on the lookout.
So yesterday I had a client contact me on Facebook. She wanted to inform me that her laptop had been stolen. She gave me the serial number, the make, model and a brief description. I told my customer that would be happy to be on the lookout for anybody bringing in a laptop that matched that description and also that if anyone called I would get the contact information forwarded to her. She had used our services for some computer repair earlier this year.
Here is the description if anyone in the San Antonio IT support business reads this, or if you have a computer shop and you're reading this.
Laptop description:
Acer Aspire AS5742Z-4646 notebook features Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit version, Intel Pentium Dual-Core Processor P6200 (2.13GHz, 3MB L3 cache), 4GB DDR3 1066 SDRAM, 320GB hard drive, 15.6-inch HD Widescreen CineCrystal LED-backlit display (1366x768), Intel HD Graphics, Mobile Intel HM55 Express, 8X DVD±RW DL, webcam, multi-gesture touchpad, 802.11b/g/n WLAN, gigabit LAN, HDMI, 2-in-1 card reader.
Here's a picture of the computer even though it looks like just about every other laptop you've ever seen. I don't think it can hurt.
Contact Courtney Pelzel at, 2104971424, Asap Computer Services 13423 Blanco Rd #115 San Antonio TX 78216 http://www.asapcomputerservices.com