Reasons to Love Windows 8

(With acknowledgements to an article in Webuser Magazine, 13 June 2013)

Windows 8 (W8) has not had the best reviews since its arrival. It is a big step-change away from the comfortable sequence of XP/Vista/Windows 7. If you are not prepared for its difference, the first encounter with W8 is a shock. Indeed, there are rumours that some big retailers are finding that customers are bringing W8 computers back to the store – because they cannot get W8 to do what they want it to do.

However, there are some very positive aspects to W8 that deserve to be highlighted, so here goes.

Leaner and Faster

You will find that W8 starts and shuts down more quickly than Windows 7.

Safer

W8 comes with built-in security software, in the form of Windows Defender, an improved version of the very successful Microsoft Security Essentials. At the moment, there have been no reports of Defender failing to protect, so no alternative security software is currently needed. If Defender is not up to the job, you can bet your bottom dollar we’ll all hear about it very quickly!

Fresher and Cleaner

Yes, the W8 Desktop takes some getting used to, but it is hard to deny that it fits into the current world of tablets and smart-phones. How we interact with technology has changed forever, and companies like Microsoft have to move with the times. The arrival of Windows 8.1 will address some of the complaints, but Tiles and Charms are with us for the immediate future.

Easier to Fix

W8 comes with its own “Refresh and Restore” function, so that with a few clicks you can return your PC to how it was when it came out of the box.

It’s Not That Different Really

Beneath the tiles and charms is basically an improved version of Windows 7 – faster and safer. There is already software available to restore the Start button and menu, so if you choose you can have all the benefits of W8 while enjoying the familiarity of Windows 7.

In Conclusion

W8 is an operating system for the user, rather than the computer technician. From my point of view, as a computer repairer, servicer and trouble-shooter, W8 poses some challenges, as key parts of the system are located in new places, and not always easy to find. But from the user’s perspective, it starts quickly, it updates its security software automatically, and it is easier to repair.

What’s not to like?

If you’d like further information about Windows 8, please contact TLC Computer Servicing. We can provide a demonstration, as well as talk through with you in more details the points mentioned above. Finally, we can provide on-going support as you get to grips with what is an exciting as well as a challenging development in the Windows Operating System.

 

Safe and Secure on the Internet

 

Recent events have highlighted some of the dangers of accessing inappropriate material on the Internet.

It seems all too easy to see disturbing images via the Internet, and some of the most powerful players in Internet provision have recently seemed reluctant to take action to prevent access.

So, what can we do to make sure we stay safe, and how can we prevent our youngsters seeing what they ought not to see?

I hope the advice and suggestions that follow will help you to feel that with a little thought it is possible to enjoy the many advantages of the Internet safe in the knowledge that the worst of the Internet can be avoided.

Security Software

Before I tackle the vexed issue of Internet porn, I want to remind you of some important safety measures that will maintain the security of your computer.

It is my impression that lately I have been dealing with far fewer computer virus infections. Perhaps the computer security industry is getting better at detecting and removing malware.

I still come across the occasional PC without security software, and sometimes security software has lapsed because no renewal payment has been made. But in the main, computer users understand the importance of having security software and keeping it up-to-date.

But don’t forget, your security software is only as good as the last time it was updated. Most modern security software updates automatically, but it is a good idea to manually update – just to be sure.

And one final comment – the free software is just as good as the paid-for offerings. In a recent Which? Magazine survey, Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) came top. And it costs nothing. It is also the only free security software that can be used legally in the work-place with up to 10 work stations.

If you want advice on the best security software for your PC, or you want your current program uninstalled and replaced with something legally free, TLC is here to help.

 Passwords

I’ve written at length about passwords in previous Hints and Tips, so I’ll be brief (there is an archive of previous editions on my website).

Have you changed your email password lately? Remember to change it at the website of your email provider, and then on your email client program if you use one – please see March 2013 edition for a longer explanation.

Do you store your passwords anywhere? If so, are they safe? There are some free software password stores (e.g., Keepass, Password Safe) that are worth examining. But remember, to access your password store you will need to remember a password. All I’m saying is that having all your eggs in one basket … It’s your choice, and perhaps at the back of your sock drawer in a small notebook is just as safe – who am I to say?!

If you would like me to keep a record of logon or email passwords, I can easily add them to my Service Report. One customer used my records to retrieve her router password, so that a friend could use her wireless network. All part of the TLC service!

 Internet Porn

Now I turn to more serious matters. I’m not getting into any sort of moral argument – I’m just going to assume that accessing porn on any device in your home is not acceptable. If that is the case, there are some things you can do to try to stop it.

1.  WOT

For some time now I have been installing a piece of software on serviced computers called WOT – Web of Trust. There are other varieties that do the same thing.

 Basically, it checks the list of websites produce by a Google search, or an individual website you are trying to access, against a database of websites categorised for safety or danger. In a Google search list, dangerous websites are indicated by a red circle next to them in. If you try to access a dangerous website, a warning page appears. You can bypass the warning if you wish.

 I find WOT particularly useful in Google search lists, as many dangerous websites hide their danger behind very plausible-sounding names.

2.  DNS Filtering

If you want to prevent any kind of access to dangerous sites then there are other options. But first you will have to understand a little about Domain Name Servers (DNS).

 A DNS converts the words we type when going to a website (e.g., www.tlc-computing.co.uk) into numbers. The Internet works quicker with numbers, so a DNS does the conversion.

 Most of us use the DNS supplied by our Internet Service Provider (ISP), and it is an automatic setting.

 That setting works in two places: in the computer, and in the router.

 It is possible to choose another DNS – you do not have to use the one provided by your ISP. There are dozens to choose from, some faster than others.

 There is one particular DNS that provides a filtering service, so that the person in charge of the network can restrict access to the Internet. It is called OpenDNS, and it blocks Internet content using the filtering level that you think best for your household. For more details, go to: www.opendns.com

 The filtering works in the router, so that all the devices that connect to your network are affected by the level of filtering chosen. In other words, the whole house is protected. The level of filtering is password-protected, so the “network supremo” has control.

 Unfortunately, some of the most recent routers provided by ISPs do not allow you to change the in-built DNS settings. That is a real pity, and something ISPs really must address.

If your router allows settings to be changed, and you’d like some help installing OpenDNS, please let me know.

It is possible to find a faster DNS than the one you are currently using. If you would like to change to a faster DNS, please ask, and I’ll be round with the software.

3.  House Rules

In a house with children using the Internet, there are some things that need to be made clear.

Children need to know that the computer keeps a record of websites accessed. Even if you use the incognito facility in a browser, it is still possible to know where someone has been on the Internet. In addition, your ISP has a record of websites visited.

For your household network, it is possible to mix prevention with education, by using something like OpenDNS with a set of explicit expectations for responsible Internet use in the home.

Remember: there is cunning and malice “out there” against which we need protection; at the same time, we should do everything we can to take ownership of protecting ourselves.

Here endeth the Lesson!

And Finally …

Safety and security are key considerations in a Full Service from TLC:

• Security software is updated
• Key software programs are updated
• Malware is removed

But sometimes with all the care in the world, infections get through and cause grief and havoc. That’s when you need TLC, because we’re about cure as well as prevention.

Please feel able to consult us on computer and Internet safety, as well as using us, should the need arise, to restore your PC to its pristine state.

How to Plan to Move Away from Windows XP

Preamble

Support for Windows XP ends at the beginning of April 2014. That means there will be no more updates, which means that XP will increasingly become a security risk (because the majority of updates are plugging “security holes” in the operating system).

People are strongly advised to consider their options in the run-up to April 2014. Of course, one option is to stay using XP. XP has been a very successful operating system, and there are lots of people who are more than happy with its features.

All I will say to those who want to stay with XP is: Good luck! It may be that there will spring up Support Groups, run by people dedicated to keeping XP going. How successful they will be in protecting users from virus attacks is anyone’s guess.

But if your judgement is that it is time to move away from XP, what follows will, I hope, help you through the process.

Some Background Information

Windows 7 (W7) is the successor to Windows Vista; in fact, Windows 7 is called an “upgrade” to Vista. That means Windows 7 can be installed on a PC currently running Vista with no loss of programs or data files. However, you would be well advised to back up your data files before installing the upgrade – just in case!

Most of what follows applies to a move to Windows 8, currently the latest version of Windows. But a word of warning – Windows 8 is a very different beast! It is designed for use with a touch screen, and looks similar to the opening screen on a tablet computer or a smartphone. Behind – as it were – the opening screen is what looks like W7, the Desktop, and looks reasonably familiar. But there are differences, because it is designed for use with a touch screen. Most startling of all is the lack of the Start button (bottom left on XPO, Vista, and W7).

Planning to Leave XP

But enough of Windows 8! Let’s turn to what needs to be done in moving away from Window XP. For the purposes of this article, I’m going to refer to Windows 7 throughout; however, much the same applies to a move to Windows 8.

Hardware Requirements

Some current computers can take W7. Microsoft has helpfully provided a Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor on their website (use the search option to find it). The report produced needs some careful reading. As Microsoft is very keen for you to spend your money with them, they keep the minimum specification for running W7 quite low, but the experience of running W7 on a minimum specification is not going to be good.

I advise running the Upgrade Advisor if you are keen to keep your current hardware. In addition, you could consider adding extra RAM, or upgrading to a more powerful graphics card, or adding some of the latest USB connections, or … It will all mount up, and in the end possibly cost you nearly as much as a new PC.

Some computers are happy to run W7 with 2GB of RAM. In my view, that is a bare minimum, and I would recommend 4GB as a minimum.

As W7 provides some distinctive graphics features, the capability of the graphics in your current PC need to be assessed carefully. Otherwise, you will have a reduced visual experience.

Some older CPUs will struggle to make the best of W7. In fact, if your PC is more than 6/7 years old, it is unlikely to give you the best experience with W7.

For many people, the move away from XP is the reason to get a new PC. But a word of warning: I have met a couple of people recently who went for a new PC and came away with a Windows 8 machine. They then found to their amazement that Windows 8 is a step-change away from XP/Vista/W7. Before agreeing to buy a Windows 8 computer, please get the seller to demonstrate Windows 8, and explain to you how you can best use it without a touch screen. Yes, Windows 8 is the latest version of Windows, but it is not for everyone, and Windows 7 is still available.

I’m quite happy to support people as they get used to Windows 8, and I have already prevented 2 computers from being pulverised! But please make sure that Windows 8 is for you before you pay. End of rant!

What Transfers and What Doesn’t

If your current hardware running XP could take W7, there are a number of issues to face.

XP to W7 is a complete reinstall, which means everything on the PC will go, programs as well as data files. Data files, therefore, must be backed up safely, ready to be transferred after the installation of W7.

Programs cannot be transferred. You need the original installation disk and Product Key. If you use legally free programs, those can be downloaded from the Internet, always checking that you are installing the W7 version.

Some programs used with XP will not work with W7 – again, it is worth checking in advance that your favourite/important programs work with W7 or have W7 versions.

For example, most people use Microsoft Office. Early versions are not suitable for W7, but please check suitability. Use your usual search engine to find sites that tell you which versions of Office are suitable for W7.

If you do not have the original installation disk or the Product Key for Office, you will need the services of a qualified computer engineer/technician. The Product Key can be found, and a good computer engineer will have access to a range of installation disks for Office. However, Office comes with a variety of licences, one of which restricts the use of Office to one PC only.

It can be very complicated! It is important to talk to your friendly computer engineer if you are nervous about doing things yourself.

Email

The next aspect to consider is email. If you use webmail (i.e., you go to a website to get your emails), there will be no problem. However, those of you using Outlook Express are in for a surprise – Outlook Express does not exist in W7. Outlook Express has been replaced by Windows Live Mail.

If you want to move stored and current emails from Outlook Express to Windows Live Mail, you will need a computer engineer – unless you are very knowledgeable and very bold!

Most other email clients (e.g., Outlook (part of Microsoft Office), Thunderbird) present fewer problems.

I would recommend, in advance of a move from XP to W7, that people start using webmail. Webmail makes life so much easier for all concerned, and means you can access your emails wherever in the world you can get an internet connection.

Stored emails in an email client can be printed out, or copied and pasted into a Word document.

Email needs to be thought through very carefully before making a move to W7.

Printers

Some older printers are not supported by W7. The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor should indicate whether there is a W7 driver for your printer. Or you can go to the website of your printer’s manufacturer, find your model of printer and see if there is a W7 driver.

The above applies to any other hardware that you regularly plug into your PC: webcam, digital camera, USB mouse and keyboard, etc.

And Finally …

Moving away from XP is going to be a wrench for many of you. You will quickly get used to W7, as there is a natural progression from XP to Vista to W7, retaining the best features, while improving on some of the niggles and annoyances of XP and Vista.

If any of the above gives you the screaming frights, then please consult a suitably qualified computer engineer. I have done a goodly number of transfers, and each one presents some unique features. My experience of those transfers is reflected in the advice and guidance offered above.

Disaster Strikes!

I suffered a major computer failure last Sunday. There are a number of lessons to be learned from my experience, and I hope you will benefit from them as much as I will.

Disaster Cause

I’m not going to go into too much detail here, as every disaster is in many ways unique. Some are the result of human error, and some are “acts of God”, in the sense that the failure was virtually unavoidable.

The main point I want to make is that disaster can and will strike – even when all possible precautions are taken. Remember: computers are made by humans and used by humans. Computers are spinning disks and whirring fans. Users – no matter how experienced or “computer savvy” – are only human when all is said and done.

 My disaster? I tried to cancel a backup that was going to last days – or so it said. Impatience was my downfall. After I had tried to cancel the backup, the PC refused to start, and all attempts to repair it failed, so I was faced with having to do a complete reinstall of Windows. AARH!!!

Disaster Recovery
Fortunately, I back up my data files to a separate hard drive in my main PC. I also have an external hard drive for a further set of copies.

In addition, my crucial business files have for some time been backed up on a daily basis to “the cloud”.

 “The cloud” is the current term for online storage, i.e., data is stored via the internet on a computer somewhere in the world, and not on your PC or laptop. These cloud computers are maintained regularly and carefully, and have strong security protection. In comparison with your PC or laptop, they are less likely to go wrong, and they are less likely to be hacked.

 I have to acknowledge that there is a debate about using cloud storage. How secure are these storage facilities? If you have commercially sensitive data, do you trust it to be stored outside your business? What happens if a cloud storage company goes broke? How do you manage access to the stored data?

 But, in my view, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.

 Paranoid? Me?? Well, when my PC refused to start Windows last Sunday, I could at least reassure myself that my data files were safe.

 Disaster Survival

If we accept that disasters are going to strike sometime, we should be doing all we can to limit the impact.

 Clearly, one way to do that is to have multiple copies of data files. Backing up data files to “the cloud” is another way of preserving precious documents, photos, music collections, etc. I think that cloud storage is fast becoming the standard way to preserve important files.

 The next stage is to run software from the cloud. That means it is possible not only to access files, but also to work on them and add to them wherever a computer can access the internet. The emerging fashion is to run as much as possible – software, data files – from the cloud.

 As a consequence of my disaster, I am trying to use web-based programs in preference to programs run from my hard drive.

 We can all access our emails using webmail, which means going to a website, and logging in with email address and email password.

 Many of you prefer using an “email client program”, such as Outlook, Outlook Express, Mozilla Thunderbird, or Windows Live Mail. Those programs do provide some features that webmail does not. For example, some webmail does not allow the user to create an email list, which is why I am using Outlook for my business email. But I now access my personal email via webmail.

 I used a calendar program, Palm Desktop, because it synchronised my calendar and address book with my Palm Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). The sync acted as a backup for my calendar and address book.

I now use a web-based calendar, provided free by Google. I’ll continue to use Palm for my address book. Suddenly to be without my calendar, with its store of business and customer appointments was frightening. A web-based calendar is available from any internet–connected PC (or smart phone), so no need to keep a backup.

 What next? I think, after about a week, that my PC is back up and running as I like it. I’ve made some changes to how I access emails and calendar, my cloud backup is working again, and my daily backup to my second hard drive is operating.

 The only thing I’ve lost – apart from some software – is my email list for sending out this newsletter. My mistake there was not checking that the Outlook backup I was using was in fact saving what I thought it was. Memo to self – always check what has been backed up!

 Backing up emails is something that not many people do. Of course, those using webmail do not need to (hint, hint!), but if you use an email client, please find how to back up. If you’d like me to help, please let me know. I’ll need to know the email client program you use, and your email provider.

 Basing programs as well as data in “the cloud” is the way forward. But in the meantime, we can all make much more use of the cloud than we currently do. I lost my Birthday Reminder program in the disaster, and with it the list of birthdays I need reminding about.  Fortunately, I have a list on paper, but I am about to enter the details into a web-based reminder program. I’m really getting into using the cloud!

 Disaster Prevention – Considerations and Actions

1.Make sure you back up important data files to a source external to your PC; e.g., USB memory stick, external hard drive.
ACTION: TLC can supply hardware and show you how to use it.

 2.Seriously consider cloud storage. There is free space “out there”, as well as reasonably priced storage for larger amounts. If the only copies of your business data files are on your PC, then it is urgent that you act.

ACTION: TLC can advise on free and paid-for web storage.

 3.At least have a look at webmail.

ACTION: TLC can help with setting it up for you.

 4.It is important that you know how to back up your emails if you are using an email client program. Some programs have built-in export functions, while others need some help from a separate program.

ACTION: TLC can advise, install and show you how to use such facilities.

 5.If you have the urge to use some other web-based applications and would like to talk it through or see some examples, please get in touch.

ACTION: TLC is there to help and advise.

 All in all, I hope there will be less wailing and gnashing of teeth the next time human or mechanical error comes a-visiting. I wish you luck, but forewarned is forearmed. Think cloud!