Friday, December 7, 2012

Facebook, Google, you name it: a tool to protect your privacy

For some time I've been thinking, and actually collecting notes, to write a series of articles on how to protect your privacy within different environments, such as Facebook, Google, Yahoo, etc.  The I read an article in this month's PC World that makes writing this series unnecessary.   Instead of learning how to protec your privacy, there is a free application called PrivacyFix that encapsulates all the privacy rules for many applications.  What you do is start the tool and let it tell you what your settings are in these environments.  It also tells you what your privacy risk is for each setting.  AND, incredibly, if you want to "fix" the setting for more privacy, you can click "FIX".  That takes you inside the particular application, directly to the setting, where you can change it.   I can't begin to express how neat that is.

Here is a picture of PrivacyFix's Facebook guidance page:

(Click on the picture for a larger image.)  Note the evaluations on the right side- Green means you are OK, orange means you should consider "fixing" the setting.  Click "Fix" and you will be taken to the Facebook application and to the web page within Facebook containing the setting.  

Also note the other information on the page.  You can read it for yourself.  

Download PrivacyFix.  Then you will be taken to a web page "setup," or something like that. Click the large setup button, and you will get your results.  

I like this app.  Saves me a lot of time writing blog entries on fixing your privacy settings.  

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

How to Make the Windows 8 Start Screen Work for You

Windows 8 is a paradigm shift from all previous "windows-"based operating systems.

When Windows 8 initializes, it shows a splash screen with date and time, nothing else.  (A side benefit of this is that it starts very fast!)   There is nothing obvious on what to do next.  For desktop users, to access programs or log in to your account, click on this splash screen.  The result is either a login screen or the "Start" screen.  If you have a login, then, after you enter your password, you will get the Start screen.  No desktop!  For most users, that is a major drawback. (Watch this:  it is instructive.  Note that they started on the Start Screen, avoiding the initial splash screen.)

The way I get around this is to use my two monitors to advantage.  I have them set to show as one big screen.  This means, for example, that I can have an application screen half on one screen and half on the other.  This gives me a lot of real estate for my desktop, and I have essentially set up a tile like arrangement using an application called "Fences"  (search "cnet Fences")  As a side benefit of this arrangement, when the Windows 8 start screen displays on this two monitor arrangement, it only displays on the left monitor.  The right half of my desktop displays on the right monitor.  So, I have all the tiles of the start screen on the left and my desktop on the right.  It is actually a convenience.

I should note that once I click on a tile on the Screen disappears and the app starts.  To access the screen, I have to go to the lower left corner of the left monitor and "wiggle" the mouse, which brings up a small tile.  Click that to access the Start Screen.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Cyber Monday Routers and Networks

If your network equipment is slow and or old or the wifi signal is weak, the primary remedy, other than getting an alternative to our DSL service, is to upgrade your router.  Cyber Monday can get you the best deals you will see.  Google "wifi router cyber Monday".  I found some deals in an unexpected place:  a router manufacturer web page: Linksys Home Networking Cyber Monday Specials.  If you need help, give me a call or send and email.

Computer Dust Covers a Great Christmas Gift

As I help folks with their computers, I've noticed many computers are "dirty" inside.  The fans are covered with lint, pet hair, and dust, as are the air ports and, to me, the most dangerous, the cooling fins of the computer processor (CPU) itself.  This "dirt" can, at its extreme, be a fire hazard and actually "burn out" your computer.

I make it a point, when I look inside a computer case, to clean it using an air can.  (I get six air cans at a time at Costco.  It is one of my most used tools.)  However, there is another alternative that is preventive:  a dust cover for your computer.  These covers are "breathable" and remain on your computer as a filter.

Google "computer dust cover(s)."  I didn't find them on Amazon, but a number of companies sell them.  Note that you should know take the dimension of your tour to purchase the correct cover size.

This makes a great Christmas stocking stuffer.  If you don't know the size, then give a note promising one computer dust cover.

Friday, November 9, 2012

I will be teaching a Furman OLLI course winter quarter

Most Microsoft support for XP ended a while back. The only remaining support is security updates, and that will be ending in the next year or so. Plus, XP doesn't allow you to upgrade to Internet Explorer 9, so that is another security hole. Your options are:

- Buy a newer Windows Operating System (7 or 8). Cost will be about $100 plus probably hiring me to do the installation and transfer your files from the old system to the new. (Total might be about $160.) Note that there is an additional risk going to Windows 8- it will require significant learning.

 - Buy a new computing device with a newer Windows Operating System already installed. Cost is whatever you're willing to pay for a new computer plus perhaps hiring me to transfer your files and install the programs you need.

- Install the free operating system Ubuntu. The desktop and general behavior of this system is the same (actually better) as the latest Apple operating system. Cost: nothing.

Well, there really is a cost to the last one, and that is to take a course I am teaching at Furman Olli from Jan to Mar on installing and using Ubuntu. Typically we would install Ubuntu as a second operating system on your computer, so you would continue to use XP when you need to. However, your default would be to use Ubuntu and never go on-line withing XP.

 If you are a "power user," then Ubuntu is for you. If you are a novice and only do web searches and any combination of email, photos, and music, then Ubuntu is for you. (If you have to use iTunes, then it is a little more complicated, but I can show you how.)

So, ummm...  I can't think of a reason to not have Ubuntu on any computer, at least as a second operating system.  And there are so many reasons to install it.

 A couple of articles:
- Ubuntu vs Windows 8
- Ubuntu vs Mac OS X.   In this article, it talks about "usability."  This article was written for a previous version of Ubuntu.  I find that Mac OS X is so constrained and "automated" that it is more difficult to use if you have any conditions other than the ones Apple targets; for example, your ISP is bellsouth/att.


Sunday, October 28, 2012

Disaster Preparedness

I know that the Upstate SC/NC region is not going to get the brunt of the "Frankenstorm," but some of you still work in the areas affected and we WILL have need to be prepared for future events, even if it is just our "house business."  Most of you know I am on the SBA staff to respond to declared federal disasters.  I receive various alerts and emails from time to time, and I just got one I want to share with you:


Prepare Your Business for Hurricane Sandy with Our Checklist

SBA_HurricaneStatGraphic_v2A
Did you know that 40% of businesses do not open after a disaster? Now is the time to prepare your business for Hurricane Sandy. We have tips to get you started.

Share This Information!

If you know someone who might be impacted by Hurricane Sandy, please share this message.

No Hurricane In Your Area?

If your business is not at risk of a hurricane, you should still prepare for emergencies and natural disasters. Check out these critical preparedness tools:

Register Now for Free Winter Weather Preparedness Webinar

As we look ahead to the Winter Weather Season, now is the time to prepare for the threats posed by colder temperatures and frozen precipitation. Join the SBA and co-sponsor Agility Recovery as we share the long range winter weather forecast for our nation, as well as practical, applicable tips and best practices to mitigate the risks posed by winter weather.
  • November 13, 2012
  • 2pm ET

Your Private Info In South Carolina Dept of Rev has been hacked

You can read the news stories.  In summary
"The South Carolina Department of Revenue has announced that millions of Social Security numbers and debit/credit card numbers have been compromised.

Hackers from outside the United States recently penetrated the website for South Carolina’s Department of Revenue and reportedly made off with 3.6 million Social Security numbers and 16,000 unencrypted credit and debit card numbers.
According to the statement, investigators discovered that a hacker attempted to access the system several times in August and September. The statement said it is believed the hacker successfully obtained data for the first time in mid-September.

We are taking immediate steps to protect the taxpayers of South Carolina, including providing one year of credit monitoring and identity protection to those affected.”

Haley says Friday was the earliest they could announce the breach to allow law enforcement personnel to do their jobs and keep the chance of catching the hacker.

Haley says the most important thing for South Carolinians to do is be overly cautious. She recommends everyone who has filed a tax return in South Carolina since 1998 to call 1-866-578-5422 then visit www.protectmyid.com/scdor with the activation code they receive from calling the phone number."

An entry in Molly Mail, "Identity Theft Protection" provides that password.  If you don't subscribe to Molly Mail and want the password, contact me by email.  

By the way, BOTH husband and wife should apply, because both social security numbers could have been stolen.  Do this even if you filed a joint return.  

I've encountered a rather relaxed attitude about security and the transfer of information on the internet in other state agencies; eg, the election commission and the early voting process.  I hope this is a wake up call to all South Carolina state agencies.  We should be "on their back" until they take the security threat seriously.  

Monday, October 15, 2012

New Computer Technology and New Computers

I've mentioned that the semiconductor world (eg Intel) has been converting to a new technology that provides some significant anvantages over today's technology.  For Intel, the new technology is code named "Haswell."  References:

The bottom line is (1) power management like we haven't seen before, giving us 20 hour ultrabooks and huge increases in smart phone functional performance; (2) much improved graphical performance; (3) another leap in speed.

The first ultrabook I've seen in this technology is the Acer Aspire S7 Ultrabook.  I actually can't find a web page that describes this device.  Strange??  But it is under 1/2" thick, has the new generation processor, 4G RAM, 256GB SSD drive (a huge flash drive) plus reasonable ports, such as USB 3.0, etc.  The screen is touch and it ships with Windows 8.  Battery life?  12 hours!

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Internet Explorer Blank Screen But No Errors

I ran into this problem: I entered a web site address (actually, it was to the Windows Update page) and there was the green busy icon at the bottom of the browser flashed for a minute. Nothing! The screen was blank and the browser status was that it was done! I futzed with this for a day and got to the point I was ready to reload the operating system. (I had tried EVERYTHING!) As I was copying the hard drive to a backup for safety, I tried one last time to find a hint on the internet. Long story short, I found the solution and here it is:

A couple of DLL’s were not properly registered. To solve this problem, enter the following two commands in the cmd window.

(For XP, click the Run icon on the Start Menu, type cmd and hit enter. For Vista and up, type "cmd" in the search field and click on the icon when it shows up on the search list.)

regsvr32 jscript.dll
regsvr32 MSXML3.dll  

After following the above steps restart Internet Explorer and everything should work!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Problems with Windows Live Mail

I have been contacted about unwanted, sudden changes to Windows Mail… like the font changes, you can’t access attachments, or the frame that showed the content of the current message you are on in the message list goes away. Here is some information:

{From http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1207873&posted=1#post1207873, AnneMarie}

Windows Mail relies on functions provided by Internet Explorer for many of its features. Internet Explorer 9, which is installed automatically in Windows Vista via Windows Update, changes some of those functions so that Windows Mail features are adversely impacted and no longer work properly. Users see the following impairments:
a. The default message viewing font is no longer what is specified in Windows Mail via Tools | Options | Read | Fonts (for instance, the user may have Arial selected but with IE 9 installed sees Times New Roman instead).
b. Messages which include attachments no longer indicate they have attachments and the attachments cannot be saved (no paperclip indicator is present and File | Save Attachments is disabled).
c. Messages which have linked images embedded in them no longer display the yellow information bar to enable showing the images.
Uninstalling IE 9 rectifies these problems. Workarounds also exist to overcome some of these bugs:
a. For the font specification issue, one can go to Tools | Internet Options | Fonts in IE 9 and then change the default font there and then the default font in Windows Mail will be that font. One can also use MS-MVP Grzegorz Niemirowski's OE Power Tool (
http://www.grzegorz.net/oe/oept.php) to create a custom css file and dictate the proper font that way.
b. For the attachments issue, if the user goes to Tools | Options | Read and checks the option to read messages in plain text only, then after reopening the message one can again see the paperclip and save the attachments. Or one can open the message in a separate message window, rather than reading via the preview pane window, and then one is able to save the attachments from the attachment toolbar (but not from File | Save Attachments).
c. For the infobar issue, if one opens the message in a separate window, then the info bar will appear again. One could also go to Tools | Options | Security and uncheck the option to block linked images, but that would then reopen the user up to spam, so it is not advised.
Microsoft has been largely unresponsive to MVP requests for fixes to these bugs, so the user is stuck with either employing the workarounds or just uninstalling IE 9.

And then I got this from another website, regarding the missing preview pane:

On my version of Windows live I clicked on "view/ then in the top center of the window are four boxes. One of the boxes says "reading pane". Just click on that then select "off". It worked for me. I imagine there are different versions of Windows Live mail out there but this worked for me. Most trojans that were caught by my anti virus software were trojans coming through my email. Leaving the preview pane open is a bad idea.

Monday, October 1, 2012

I just bought a new computer with Windows. Question about Microsoft Office and Alternatives

If you purchased a computer running the Microsoft Windows operating system, you may or may not have purchased Microsoft Office.  You have to closely examine the fine print before you buy.  Most, if not all, new Windows computers have Microsoft Office Starter edition installed.  A window may pop up from time to time, and will pop up if you try to open an Office document type (eg, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx) advising that you need to either buy Office or install the Starter Edition.  This Starter Edition is a new Microsoft Offering.  Read about it here.  Essentially Starter Edition has reduced functionality compared to the full Office product AND it has ads.

As an alternative, there are two fully functional and free Office replacements:

These are in the class of software called "open source."  They are no cost and are developed by a combination of  company and individual effort.

I don't see much difference between the two, though you might have a preference.  Let me know what you think.

PS.  Delete the MS Office Starter using standard program deletion (eg, Start, Default Programs, Programs and Features).

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Using an Attached Monitor Instead of Your Laptop Screen

Consider this picture:

The keys along the top are labeled F1 through F12.  BUT there is also a small symbol on the key.  This picture highlights the special symbol for a “generic” keyboard.  Both the details of the symbol and to which key the symbol is assigned depend on the manufacturer. 
These symbols are "function hotkeys.”  If you hold down the fn key (1 above), push one of the function keys and then release both simultaneously, then something will happen, which depends on the function assigned to the symbol.  In the above generic keyboard, the symbols relate to the following functions:


  • Display system information. fn+esc
  • Open Help and Support. fn+f1
  • Open the Print Options window. fn+f2
  • Open a Web browser. fn+f3
  • Alternate between computer display and external display. fn+f4
  • Initiate Hibernation. fn+f5
  • Initiate QuickLock. fn+f6
  • Decrease screen brightness. fn+f7
  • Increase screen brightness. fn+f8
  • Play, pause, or resume an audio CD or a DVD. fn+f9
  • Stop an audio CD or a DVD. fn+f10
  • Play the previous track or section on an audio CD or a DVD. fn+f11
  • Play the next track on an audio CD or a DVD. fn+f12

I want to focus on the function of moving your display from your laptop screen to an screen that is attached to your laptop. (This attachment can be through one of serveral plugs on your laptop, depending on your laptop.)  I assume you have your alternate screen attached to your laptop and turned on.

The symbol for moving the display from one screen to another may be different than the above example. On my Lenovo Laptop, f3 has the screen toggle function and it the symbol is a rounded square, then a line, then the outline of a laptop.

 All the special function symbols are in orange. (Whatever the color of the symbols, the fn key will be the same color.)

So, in this example, holding the fn key down, pushing the f4 key and releasing both simultaneously will toggle the display. Note that there might be a third "toggle." The sequence might be: (1) laptop only, (2) attached screen only, and (3) both screens.

If you don't want to, or can't figure out how to use the function keys, you can go to the control panel and use the Display function. This description will only cover Windows Vista/7 and does not take advantage of some of the built-in functions of fancy video drivers. If you are using the "not-classic" view of the Control Panel, then you click on Start, then Control Panel to open the Control Panel window. Then Click on "Mobile PC- Adjust commonly used mobility settings." Then look for "External Display." Click the "Connect Display" button. If you are Classic view, click "Windows Mobility Center" and do the same thing. The dialog should take you through the steps.

When in doubt, Click Start, then click "Help and Support," usually on the right side of the Start menu, and type "External Display" in the search bar. The resulting list should include specific instructions for your operating system and machine.

If you have specific questions, please ask by submitting a comment.

What are PDF files? Alternatives to Adobe Reader

A basic unit of information stored on a computer is the “file.”  A file has a name.  Sometimes you give the file that name and sometimes the operating system (eg, Windows 7) gives the file the name. 

On Windows systems, a file name has the format xxxxxxx.yyy.  It is the “yyy” that is the topic of this blog entry.  You’ve seen files where yyy is pdf; eg, “lessonplan.pdf.”  The yyy tells the Windows system what program can read the file.  “pdf” tells Windows that it needs to use the program registered to read .pdf files to open the program.  Almost always either the web page or your computer will say that Adobe Reader is required to read .pdf files. 

Well, Adobe was the company that first embraced the .pdf file standard and so, historically Adobe Reader has been used to read these files. 

If you download a .pdf file, the web page, even a government web page, will stipulate that the file has to be read by Adobe Reader.  The page may even contain a link to download Adobe Reader. 

I have a complaint about this practice.  Almost always, Adobe Reader is NOT the only program that can read .pdf files.  In fact, it is one of the bulkiest, least functional of the group of programs that read .pdf files.  Furthermore, hackers have exploited weaknesses in the design of Adobe Reader to place malware on your computer.  Somewhere I read that, in 2011, some 40% of all malware attacks were using Adobe Reader weaknesses.  That is one reason you have been getting almost weekly updates to Adobe Reader, as the developers try to fix the bugs in that program.  And in fact, in some cases the fixes introduce new bugs that then have to be fixed. 

Adobe Reader introduces a number of inefficiencies; eg, it takes up a lot of space on your hard drive AND it takes up a lot of memory when it is being used.

In my opinion, there are better free .pdf file readers that include more free functionality than Adobe Reader plus being more secure "out of the box." A couple of nice features:

  • Annotate (write on) a PDF document and save the annotations.
  • Fill PDF forms by editing the form- you type in the fields. You don't have to print the file and hand fill-in the fields
  • Provide electronic signature to a form

I recommend either one of two Adobe PDF Reader substitutes:

  1. Foxit Reader
  2. Nitro Reader

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Make sure banks don't share your personal information!

You know those "small print" notices you get from your bank that describe changes to your credit card or bank account rules?  Don't just stuff them in a file or the circular file cabinet.  In particular, the Prvacy Notification I received recently from Chase shows that Chase will share information about our interests, what we spend our money on, and other (personal) information.  They will mine this information and share it within their conglomorate, as well as with other financial companies.  We don't have any control!  We do have control over sharing this information with "affiliates," whomever they are.  The notification should give both a web site and a phone number to contact in order to limit "affiliate" sharing.   For example, Chase's phone number is 888.868.8618, or the web address is http://www.chase.com.  When I went to the Chase site and clicked on the Privacy link, I got this:

You can click on the picture to see a larger version.  Note that they actually give more options than described in the Notification.  I checked all 3.  

I wonder if we should push for South Carolina to limit this information so we opt in instead of out plus perhaps other limitations.  What do you think?

Friday, September 28, 2012

Problems Coming Out of Sleep Mode, Windows 7

Problem:

The screen saver is displayed for a time and then, when it is the set time for the computer to go to sleep (set in the Power Options), the screen goes black.  This is normal.  However, when I jiggle the mouse to wake up the computer, Windows does not go directly to the desktop; it goes to a blue screen with a box containing my user name and the word "locked".  There is another icon I can click that says "switch user".  If I click that, another screen appears with my name under an icon (my avatar).  I click on that and I'm back into my session.

How can I change back to the behavior where jiggling the mouse takes me back to my desktop?

Answer:  

Click Start and then Control Panel and then Personalization to get:


Click "Screen Saver".  In this case, I don't have one, but you might.  It doesn't matter, just click the link. 
The resulting window looks like this:


See the check box labeled "On resume, display the logon screen"?  That should NOT be checked if you want to go directly back to your session.  Click OK.

That's it.



More Information

Windows Standby How-to
Tweeking Windows Sleeping Habits
Disable Automatic Lock


Friday, September 21, 2012

How to attach a file using Google Mail

The topic of this discussion is attaching a file- a document, picture, or anything but a computer program (called an executable).  I'm using Google Mail as the email application, but the instructions are generally useful in any email application.

First, start an email message (Compose).
In the resulting email window, you will find an icon that is a paper clip, or it may say something like "Add Attachment" or "Add a File".  In Google, this is found right under the subject field.

Click once on it.  The result is a the standard Windows dialog box used to navigate to the file.  In general, For example:
  1. Browse through your files and click the name of the file you'd like to attach.
  2. Click Open.
To attach multiple files, hold the command (Mac) or Ctrl (PC) key while selecting your files, or click Attach another file.

The email program will go through the upload process and it may ask you to select the files you want attached from a list of uploaded files. Or it may just finish and the files are attached.  Google Mail does the latter.

Specifically, suppose you wanted to attach a file that was on a flash drive.  In the left pane of the "pick a file" dialog, scroll up and down until you come to "Computer".  If you just see "Computer" and nothing indented under that, click on the arrow in front of computer to expose the list of all things "computer."  For example:
The key here is to identify your flash drive from this list. I know the name of the drive because I name every flash drive (a topic for another discussion).  In this case, it is DGL16GSAFE.  If you don't know the name of your flash drive, you will have to eliminate as many drives as you can and then click on each one of the remainder in succession until you find the one that has the file you want to attach.  Remember that you may have stored the file in a folder on the flash drive, so you'll have to know the name of the folder or take the time to explore every folder on the flash drive.  

In the above picture, I can eliminate drives C, E, M, and SharedDocs because they are "obviously" not flash drives. Then, if I didn't know L was the drive with my file (or files), I'd have to click on each one until I found the drive with the files.  

Any questions?  Ask in the comments field below.  

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

MyWebSearch (or My Web Search)

MyWebSearch is a toolbar item that continues to plague many in our community.  Even if removed, it has a way of returning.  How?  It is included as an recommended or required download on many web pages, including dialogs you use to update other products you legitimately want.  The tricky part is that, although the MyWebSearch download may be optional, where you have to check a box in order to download it, the page presented to you for that option:
  1. Has the option box checked
  2. May have the text notifying you of the option skillfully hidden on the web page or the dialog- as you are clicking through a download you click right through the checked option. 
Why is MyWebSearch bad?  Well, if you read the article below on security, you will read that it is “adware” and has been taken off the spyware list.  On the other hand, MyWebSearch adds a searchbar to your browser and tries hard to be your default search engine.  Any searches you do using MyWebSearch are sent through servers owned by the parent company.  This company reads your search and adds the search to its internal tracking database on YOU.  Over time, it creates a model of your behavior and interests.  This model is sold to companies who what to target ads to certain demographics.
I don’t have visibility into the algorithms the parent company uses and whether or not they can actually obtain your personal information.  Better safe than sorry. 
So, if you ever see this, it is not a necessary addition to your browser, is at least an invasion of privacy, and I recommend removal using the instructions linked below. 
I recommend the free tool Revo Uninstaller to remove the product.  It removes all the vestiges of this adware.
Helpful links:

Monday, August 20, 2012

How to Create a Complete Inventory of All Software + Versions and Hardware

This means: A list of every software program, including all windows programs.  All hardware, including versions, drivers.  You name it.

Download Belarc advisor and run it.  Save the results as a full web page.

This is a great program.  Run it every six months and save the results in a safe place. 

The Ordeal of Changing from Land Line to VOIP Phone Service Part 2

From the customer point of view, the procedure for switching from a land line provider to a VOIP provider is this:

  1. Apply to the land line provider (ATT) to split your service, so you have one account for voice and one for DSL.
  2. ATT splits the account, giving the a new account number, which is actually a phone number, to the DSL account.
  3. ATT lets OOMA know this has been done and releases the phone number to OOMA, which enters it in their database. (Note: When you start the OOMA account, you are given a phone number, but this is replaced by your old phone number when OOMA enters that number in their database. This means that, if you log on to their web site, your account number will have changed; you can't get on with the original phone number: a little gotcha.)
  4. From this point on, ATT will bill you the unbundled DSL rate and OOMA will bill you for taxes. Of course OOMA has an optional premium service that costs so much per month, but I'll that is a different topic

Sounds pretty clean doesn't it? Not. When you got the new DSL account, did you remember to ask for your ATT email to be moved over to the new ATT account? Oh, it wasn't in the instructions. Too bad. You have to ask. Then comes the nightmare.

I'm not real clear on what kicks off what, but ATT has to do two things:

  1. Create a service ticket to come to your house and do something with your phone service at the external box- Committed time to complete: 48 hours, but that doesn't mean a thing. It seems like when 48 hours is up the ticket is closed, whether or not it has been done.
  2. Create another service ticket to move your email user id over to your new stand alone DSL account. Why is it not connect to the DSL account in the first place? Maybe you'd better ask the president of the carrier that question. Again, commitment is 48 hours, but same actual criteria. What do they have to do? 5 minutes of work entering it in a database.

So, its been 10 days elapsed time and 5 days I've been fighting the system. 3 days for moving the user id over. They closed the original ticket but didn't do the work. But they complain about overlapping tickets, so you get to wait 48 hours, then spend hours talking to different technical people (at level 3 no less) to find out why you can't log on even though you can ping anything (meaning the internet is there, but you can't get to the DNS servers to get to any site via a browser). I talked to 4 people over the course of this time, each with a different approach to the problem.

Finally I talked to someone who researched the problem and discovered that the ticket to move the email was closed but that some database had not been modified. I expect/think that the problem is that the merger between our old phone provider and the new one resulted in data systems that don't talk to one another. So people have to manually cross the gap.

The outcome next...

The Process of Converting to VOIP from a Land Line- The 11th Day

I’m writing this on the 11th day after the first ticket was cut to establish a Voice Over IP service (VOIP) to replace my landline service.  Previous blog entries have detailed the problems I have had to this point:

  • Obtain service from the VOIP provider, which is OOMA. This was relatively painless. I selected a new phone number and installed the VOIP provider's phone device.
  • The land line provider (ATT) had to split my account into two accounts to enable the IP service to receive my current phone number. This took a couple of minutes on my part and the "apparent" elapsed time was a couple of days for the transfer to occur.
  • I wanted to keep my current email address.  This was a nightmare of mess ups and lack of knowledge on the part of the technicians.
  • ATT had to activate my DSL account. After dealing with 4 different technicians multiple times over 5 days. and with ATT having to reissue action tickets, this was finally completed. I was without both phone and DSL for 5 days.

At this point I should be done, right? Not! When ATT created the new DSL account, the speed they assigned to the account was the slowest they offer! At the time my DSL was activated at 9 days in, I told the technician that my speed was not set to the speed of my old account. (VOIP requires speedy and relatively noiseless DSL.) He apologized and connected me to the appropriate department to make the change. The technician I talked to said that the database had not been updated to show my account, so the change could not be made. I was told to wait 4 hours and I would be called.

After 4 hours I called back and got a different technician. He said that the account had not been updated and that he would make a note to himself to call me tomorrow, but it could take two days. Two days! (Note that the technician that got my DSL running appears to have had no idea that it would take two days to change the DSL speed!) I pointed out that this was Friday and asked if he was working the weekend. He said no, he was not working the weekend, so it would be Monday (13 days from the start of this ordeal). He also mentioned that this should not have happened. The conversion to a new account should have been to the same performance level as the old account. Aaargh!

So, it is Saturday, 11 days in and I am running at 765kbps download and 133 upload!

An update:  I called on Saturday and was able to get someone that could put in the order.  (Apparently my account was fixed between yesterday and 10am today.)  I did put in the order and was informed that the service would require 3 days to implement! If that is true, it will be 14 days.

Bellsouth to AT&T

The AT&T policy is to get everyone off bellsouth.net and on to att.net.  They will do this through attrition.  So, if for some reason you want to change your bellsouth userid, you’ll get an att.net along with it.  For example, if I want to move my userid over to a VOIP account, unless you get someone special at AT&T who’s willing to work with you, they will assign you a {whatever-you-want}.att.net user id.  You won’t be able to get a bellsouth.net user id.  Every new customer will get an att.net user id.

AT&T Changes to Registration

If you ever change your router or make any other changes to your DSL, you will have to re-register.  The temporary PPPoE userid and password to enter into your router are:

UserID:  attreg@att.net

Password:  attreg

You can get to the registration page through your browser as long as your router is working OK.  Type http://attreg.att.net/ into the address field.

Multiple Chrome Processes, Only One Tab Open: Why?

I was having some performance problems and looked at task manager (Ctl-Alt-Del) to see what was running.  I had about 10 Chrome processes, even though I only had one tab.  Why?  I found this answer in one of the Google forums: 


Main Process

Chrome's main process handles the UI, tab management and so on. There are usually only one process that do the work.

Renderer Process(es):

The renderer handles rendering the page. Roughly, each tab consume one, but some special case make tabs into a single one - same domain uses same renderer, and no more than 20 renderer - newly opened tabs will use existing renderer if exceeded. Renderer Process runs in a sandbox that can increase security by separating in sandboxes. When one renderer crashes, other tabs or the main process will not be affected, and users will be able to reload the page by refreshing.

Plugin Process(es):

As plugins should have higher permission than a webpage, and in order to keep Renderer Processes in the sandbox, plugins are separated. Also when one crashes, other plugins or tabs or the main process will not be affected.

Extension Process(es):

Similar to the others, separating extensions into processes is to keep them in sandbox... and a crashing extension will not let the whole browser down.

Built-In Task Manager

There is a built-in task manager for Chrome. Press Shift+Esc or "right click on title bar -> Task Manager" to launch it. You can see clearly - and may end processes if one's not responding. Ending processes this way will keep those addresses on your browser, with a "sad tab" replacing it, as mentioned in "Renderer Processes".

You may have a look at http://blog.chromium.org/2008/09/multi-process-architecture.html or read the Google Chrome comics http://www.google.com/googlebooks/chrome/index.htm


I followed the "right click on title bar" method and clicked on the "Task Manager" option. I found that there was one process for chrome itself, one for the single tab that was displayed, and one for each of the add-ons. Mystery solved!

Monday, August 13, 2012

The Ordeal of Changing from Land Line to VOIP Phone Service Part 1

This blog entry and some to follow describe my experience converting from land line service to a Voice Over IP. The last entry in this series will be "lessons learned."

I’ve been looking at the possibility of dropping my land line service for some time. From a business point of view, the land line doesn’t make any sense:
  • We are paying for DSL, at the speed and quality that should support Voice over IP (VOIP).
  • The phone service costs somewhere around $70/mo for unlimited long distance + local calls. VOIP can be either free or much less expensive. In fact, I should save over $900/yr the first year and about $700/yr after that
  • The service level agreement with our provider- AT&T, states that, when there are problems, DSL has priority over voice. So we should get better maintenance service than we would with the phone line.
  • I've used Skype for several years. As my DSL speeds have improved, so has Skype quality. Video quality can sometimes be a problem, especially when the video goes from my system to a G3 cellphone system on the other end. But voice quality is great.
  • There is more functionality with a VOIP phone than a land phone.
I've delayed converting for a few reasons:
  • You'd think cell phone service would suffice for backup. We have cell phone service and I have to have a fairly high number of minutes on that service to handle my business phone calls.  But, as most of you have experienced, there are many homes in our communities, including mine, where cell phone service is iffy:  anywhere from 0 1x bars or a white and red no service symbol to 3 3x bars- at the same spot in the house! However, as a whole, our cellphone service is reliable.
  • I've been warned that voice quality would not be good. There is the possibility that when both ends talk simultaneously, the signals will "collide," making the conversation muddled.
  • VOIP does use bandwidth. So, if someone is downloading a lot of data, voice might be impacted. (This can be managed with router settings or by having the right VOIP box plugged in to your Router.)
When Costco had a sale on the OOMA Telo Air, I thought it was time to make the change. The Telo is a router-sized device.  You plug your house phone, in our case the base station, and an ethernet connection into the Telo. (Optionally, you can use wifi.)
Note that the phone numbers, etc stored in your base station remain accessible; you don't have to reenter all your stored numbers and recent phone calls.

This service is similar to Vonage, but you buy the Telo device. You don’t a fee unless you want their Premium service. You do pay taxes(about $4/mo).

I read through the directions on how to change from AT&T to OOMA.  As written, OOMA says you just sign up and you are given a phone number and off you go.  That’s true.  But we, of course, don’t want the inconvenience of changing our telephone number.  OOMA offers to transfer the number for $40. It is a simple exercise for OOMA. ATT gives them an OK to use the number and they enter it in their database.  OOMA warns you that the carrier might take a while to give the OK because of what ATT has to do, which I’ll spend a couple of blog entries detailing.  But it doesn’t sound like a big deal, maybe a half day.

Well... I'm writing this without internet service. The process started 10 days ago and I'm still without either phone or DSL service- We had phone service for 5 days but have been without both for another 4 days. I'm writing this offline. When you read this is when the DSL service was finally restored and I could upload it. I'll give you a final count at that time.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Another AT&T Problem: Faulty DNS???

Since my internet came back, I have had problems loading some web sites.  There is no real pattern to this.  To paraphrase the browser message:  “Can’t load website, do you want to load a cached copy.”  If I click on the cached copy, it loads, but the page is not properly formatted.  If I click on a link of the displayed page, I get the “Can’t load Website…” message again. 

 

After looking at browser settings and trying Chrome, IE, and Firefox with the same result, I turned off my firewall.  That did not help.

I then thought about how technology obtains a web address:  there are layers of servers containing the names of websites and relating them to IP addresses.  These servers are called Domain Name Servers.  The first DNS that is queried for us is the AT&T DNS.  DNSs have IP addresses and we normally set both the router and the computer to obtain these DNS addresses automatically from AT&T.  It occurred to me that something might be wrong with AT&Ts DNS servers.  I know of other DNSs I can go to.  I changed my router setting so that I could enter the Primary and Secondary DNS server IP addresses manually.  I made the change and bingo!  I could reach all the address I wasn’t able to reach before. 

So you have to conclude something is wrong with the AT&T DNS servers.  I’ve filed a Ticket on this.  Let’s see what happens. 

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Problems with AT&T DSL Revisited

The process for managing the issue of DSL performance should be:
Do NOT contact them before you have eliminated equipment outside AT&Ts responsibility: 
1.  When a problem is perceived, run a speed test.

I have a couple of blog entries on this: 

Of these, the third link is most valuable to the Cliffs resident, and the second one is most valuable to the engineer.  The first tip above talks about interpreting the results of the second link in the list of test sites.

It is best to record the results after 3 separate tests run fairly close together.  I might add, it also helps to have a baseline, when your network is working like you think it should.  Write the results down or take a desktop picture and keep them handy.  With this information, you will be part way toward providing ATT with the justification they need to send someone to fix the problem.  
2.  Make sure it is not your router!  Lately I seen a lot of router problems due to lightning strikes.  It is also due to the way the router and modem are configured, both electronically and positionally with respect to where the computers/iPads, etc sit.  ATT is going to want the customer to rule out inside problems.  With a few exceptions, depending on what services you are paying for, their responsibility stops at the modem or, if you were supplied with a netgear or 2wire, the modem router. 
By the way, most of the complaints I have had to deal with recently are actually at the router and computer level, or are due to OLD settings in your router or email account.  (ATT changed all these recently.  link). 
With respect to router settings, I see very noisy routers- too noisy to provide good connectivity.  The result are many drops per hour.  Sounds like the problem someone was talking about at the meeting.  
To eliminate this as an issue before contacting AT&T:  If you are communicating via wifi, download inSSIDer by googling "cnet inSSIDER".  Install and run this program.  Make sure you have selected the correct connection which is your wifi connection.  Walk around your house, watching the signal quality.  Take a snapshot of the results (Alt-PrntScrn on a Windows machine) and paste it into a word document for safe keeping.  If the real time line has a lot of ups and downs in it, but it is straight line right next to the router, then you have a problem in your house.  

Thursday, August 2, 2012

How to Manage Multiple Accounts With Lastpass

When I want to log on to Gmail, if I just bring up the gmail page, Lastpass responds like this:

clip_image002

 

Now “jumble” was not the user I wanted to log on.  I wanted to log on as “sleepy”  What happened?  Look at the three button in the upper right of the picture:  Autologin(13), AutoFill(16), Never…. 

·        Autologin(13):  This means I have 13 different gmail accounts that are set to Autologin:  when I bring  up Gmail, Lastpass will automatically fill in the Username and Password and “click” the Sign In button. 

·        Autofill(16):  This means I have 16 different gmail accounts that are set to Autofill:  when I bring Gmail, Lastpass will automatically fin in the Username and Password but you will have to click the sign in button.  WHEN YOU HAVE MULTIPLE LOGIN ACCOUNTS TO THE SAME WEB PAGE, THIS IS HOW EACH ACCOUNT WILL BE SET UP.  If you “Autologin,” you won’t be able to stop Lastpass before it clicks the Sign In button in order to change the Username and Password to another account.  In the above example, jumble was set to “autofill” or, if sleepy was also set to autofill, then, since, sleepy is alphanumerically after jumble, jumble was entered.

·        Never:  won’t fill in anything.

If you are not Autologged in, then you can change the user id and password by clicking on the autofill OR autologin button and the 13 or 16 different usernames will be listed in a dropdown.  I can’t show this with my example, but here’s link to a page from the Lastpass User Guide that shows it.  Click on the link you want; the username and password will be filled in and, depending on wither it is from the AutoLogin list or the Autofill list, the Sign In button will be automatically clicked.

How is “Autofill” or “AutoLogin” assigned to a site.  It is easy to see from the standard “edit” interface for a site:

clip_image003

There are 4 checkboxes near the bottom of the form:

·        Favorite:  Check this and this site will appear in your list of Favorites

·        Never AutoFill:  Check this and the username and password will not be filled in.  Note that the default for Lastpass is that it will fill in the username and password but it will not “click” the sign in button

·        AutoLogin:  Check this and Lastpass will click the sign-in button.  If you only have one username and password for a site, checking this provides the convenience of automatically logging into a site.  But if you have more than one username and password for a site, it can be very inconvenient!

·        Require Password Reprompt:  says that your Lastpass password is required in addition to the userid and password in order to log in to the site.  You probably won’t use this option, so it will probably be left unchecked.

Oh, I heard that question:  How do I get to the form to edit a site?  Click the red Lastpass button in the menubar of your browser.  On the resulting list, click “My Lastpass vault.”  It should be the first entry after the Logoff entry.

The result will be a list of all your sites.  I can’t show you much of a what I have, but here’s a snippet:

clip_image004

It goes on with all the categories you have chosen.  Clock on the little white arrowhead in front of the folder and the folder expands to its contents.  A single site has a line that looks like this:

clip_image006

To edit the site, which shows the form I discussed above, click the pencil icon.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Important: Changes to client email settings for att and bellsouth

If you don't go to the att or bellsouth web site for email, you are using a "client" to access their email servers. You have to go through an account setup on your client.  The settings have recently changed.  If you have old settings your email might suddenly not work any more.  Here are the new settings:
att.netPOP:  inbound.att.net Port:  995SMTP:  outbound.att.net Port:  465SSL:  YesCustomerID@att.netType:  POP3
bellsouth.netPOP:  inbound.att.net Port:  995SMTP:  outbound.att.net
Port:   465
SSL: YesCustomerID@bellsouth.netType:  POP3

As an example, for Windows Live Mail:


Sunday, July 22, 2012

ATT optout "ad service"- You should do it

I got a postcard in the mail yesterday from ATT.  The bottom line:  ATT collects info on what equipment you have and "how you use it."  This includes info on VOIP services (If you use this, you know what this means, otherwise, think SKYPE as a kind of VOIP.)   Then they sell this info to others so they can target ads to you, by mail, phone, email, etc.  They postcard says they don't include your telephone number, your name, or address, but the wording is a little confusing because elsewhere in the postcard it talks about using your information to offer you additional products and services.

So, I recommend going to http://www.att.com/ecpnioptout and fill out the form to opt out.  Otherwise, no response and you've "opted in."

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Windows 8 Cost Info + Buy New Windows Computer now or wait until Windows 8?

Windows 8 availability:  in time for the Christmas season.  You can get an advance beta copy here.  This link shows the new features of Windows 8 as well as giving a link to the download.

Windows 8 cost to buy separately:  Don’t know

If you purchase a Windows 7 computer and want to switch to Windows 8:  Between now and Jan 31, 2013 the cost is $15 and the information suggests you can get Windows 8 Pro for that price if you have any version of Windows 7 other than the Starter edition.  (More information)

Should you wait and buy a new computer with Windows 8 after Windows 8 is released?  (Article)  Net:  Only if you want to take advantage of new features, which are primarily oriented toward touch screen device.  So, to take advantage of new features you would buy a touch screen device.  There will be a new category:  laptops with detachable keyboards and a touch screen.  There will also be major changes in the new processor chips to make the machines faster.  However, if you just do email, browsing, music, general document editing, and pictures, the advantages of the new hardware is questionable.

New cost program to earlier Windows versions (eg XP) with Windows 8There will be a promotion to upgrade from XP through 7 to Windows 8:  $40 to download, $70 for disks.  This will last from release until Jan. 31, 2013. (Article)

For all upgrades on your old or new computer, factor in:

  1. For your existing computer:  check hardware requirements; you have to move all your current programs and data over.  If XP or Vista, expect some pain.
  2. For your new computer:  you have to get all the advertising crap and unwanted apps off; you need to add antivirus/malware (Windows 8 comes with the equivalent of Windows Security Essentials, so, for most home use behind a modem/router firewall, that should be sufficient.); you have to move all your current programs and data over.

    If you need help, schedule some time. The best thing to do is to let me have your computer(s) to make the necessary changes. That way, I won't spend a lot of time just waiting for things to happen; I can be doing other things while I wait.

    Friday, July 6, 2012

    You need to run this test on your computer by July 9- FBI

    I alway cringe at notes that fly around our communities that warn of this or that virus, scamware, etc.  Is it true or is the note itself a scam?  Today something crossed my email- "Will the FBI Shut Down Your Internet on Monday?"  I've provided a link to this discussion because it is a valid warning.  Basically, your computer internet link has been changed so your internet goes through a malicious computer before your message or request is routed on.  Look at the linked video for more information.  Note that I've seen this malware on several computers in our neighborhoods, and I've seen at least one instance of a "stealth" bug that hadn't changed the route YET, but was still on their computer, presumably waiting for some day when it will be activated.

    There is a web site you visit to check if you have a problem and, if you do, to fix it:  click here.

    Tuesday, June 19, 2012

    List on my Blog Entries RE: You've Been Hacked

    With the rash of hacked email accounts in our communities, I thought it would be helpful if I created a list of my blog entries that address "What to do if you are hacked."

    The second article links to explanations of why and how hackers go after your email account.

    Details on How to Create a Secure Password

    Other articles on this blog discuss changing your password if your on line email account is hacked.  I haven't gone into detail about how to construct a "secure" password.  I have an article you should read on how to do this:  "How To Make Strong Passwords Stronger."  This is an important and informative reference.  

    Sunday, June 10, 2012

    Facebook Security Setup- Since Security Issues Should be Your Focus Right now

    The world malware community is becoming much more sophisticated and aggressive.  Why?  I can think of a number of reasons.  First, more and more people in the world are obtaining enough education to participate.  Second, the financial situation around the world, but especially in Europe, the US, and Africa, has been in a sustained recession/depression.  People are desperate to find other sources of income.  Third, the cyberwars are underway, with countries and ideologies wanting to inflict financial and physical ruin on each other.

    This brings me to Facebook. Facebook is a prime target for this community. You can get names, email addresses, and personal information. How is the personal information used? Someone can log into your bank account. They fail because they don't get the password right. But the bank asks a personal question. The "someone" has your Facebook (Or LinkedIn for that matter) personal information available and can then answer the personal question. It is reported that Mitt Romney's personal email account was hacked this way.

    This is a long way around to warning you to closely manage all the personal information on the internet, but especially Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google+. Here is a link to a good article on Facebook security. You can also go to the links at the bottom of the article for more information.

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