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Windows 7 service pack1 is here!
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|  Windows 7, in my opinion is great. It's stable, more user friendly than any of its predecessors and feature laden. There have been issues though, and Microsoft, not wanting to find itself in the same position it did with the release of Windows Vista has provided, in addition to its ongoing weekly updates, a bunch of fixes for remaining small issues. If you've not automatically been updated (Right click my computer and look at properties, the service pack will be noted if already applied) then use this link, click the continue button and follow instruction. There are several releases of the service pack each individually tailored and based upon your processor (Intel or AMD) and your copy of Windows (32 or 64 bit) but Microsoft will point you in the right direction. Here's the link. Service Pack |
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Rent a Movie for about a Buck
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 Rent a movie from your cable service and you're looking at a $5 charge. Verizon Fios same. Local rental store, still remaining Blockbusters, (if you can find one,) same, same. Apparently the Movie industry has figured out a release schedule with the intent of maximizing its profits by staggering release dates. The newest DVDs are available for sale first, followed in about a week by Pay per View rentals then the local stores and Netflix mail (concurrently) and then to Redbox. The flow through from beginning to end is between 2 and 3 weeks. It should be noted that Netflix "Streaming" does not show current rental films as those of you with streaming accounts already know.
Redbox(es), are a series of Kiosks all over the US where you can walk right up and for $1, yes One dollar, plus the local tax, rent one of a slew of current films. Rent one day and return the next day by 9 PM for a buck. Keep it a second day, another buck. More importantly you can set up a Redbox account on line with just a few clicks and go about pre-ordering the DVD/Blu-Ray disk you want on line for pick up. Want a particular film? Go to Redbox.com, see which kiosks in your area have it, reserve it and go and get it. Finally, return it to any one of their kiosks, not necessarily the one you rented it from. We recently rented in Florida and returned in New York.
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Coupon? No, Groupon.
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 Got 400 unsold seats to a Net's game? Having trouble filling your restaurant, Clothing Store, Skating Rink, Health Spa or Club Membership? Sell a chunk at once at a 50% discount. The theory being that what you lose on the sale will easily be made up by the volume of sales made in a short period of time and without marketing. That's the reality of Groupon.com. You sign up and discounted items show up in your email box. Pick what you like, pick nothing, the emails will keep coming.
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The Skinny On Smartphone Viruses
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 Yes Virginia, there are Smartphone viruses. Smartphones contain substantial contact information, personal data, calendars and more and are being infected with viruses at twice the rate of PCs these days. Malware disguised as legitimate apps can steal account information or call and text expensive premium-rate numbers or just send spam to your existing contacts. Kapersky and Lookout have released Anti-virus software for the Smartphone but basic common sense will keep you out of the trouble zone.
Think twice before clicking on that text or email link. Instead open a browser and manually enter the address. Better yet, install a browser that's better at avoiding viruses like Opera or Safari.
With apps, look at the app manufacturer's web site before you install it. Check out the app at Viaforensics.com and click on the appwatchdog tab. You can also download and install a security app like Firebox ($6 for I-phone) or APG (free for Android). These programs encrypt your data and ask for a key from you for access precluding some rogue app from gaining access to your data without your knowledge.
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Backup your data for free!
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 Check out Dropbox.com where you can "Drop" up to 2 GIGs of documents, pictures, music and anything else stored on a computer for free. What you store is saved off site at the Dropbox location. An added feature is the ability to "pick up" a copy of any and all items in your Dropbox from any other computer with the email address and password you used for sign up. 2 GIGs is enough to store any one user's personal papers, important documents and a goodly amount of photos or music. If you need more space, Dropbox does have several paid storage plans as well.
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| Fly Me To The Moon...... | |
 Go to We Choose the Moon and get the feel of the Apollo 11 mission from launch to the moon to its to return. Click on a variety of presented links to view photos and videos from the actual mission. Relive the moment and even feel like you are a part of the Journey. Want more of the same? Take a ride to Hubble.org for views of our galaxy and some absolutely incredible stuff photoed all over the universe. Got more minutes to kill? Let the GlobeGenie wisk you away to some random place in the world. You choose the continent and GlobeGenie does the rest.
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