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Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping, and always have a mountain in life to climb

  • Microsoft released a Windows 7 update that adds a new option in the Disk Cleanup tool called Windows Update Cleanup. With it, you can free up several gigabytes of hard drive space from the Windows Updates folder.

    Windows Updates can be terrible space hogs. Windows saves every security update and hotfix—even if they’re superseded by new updates—in the WinSxS directory. You can’t just manually delete everything in that folder, because some files are needed just in case a system file gets corrupted or you need to roll back a Windows Update.

    So that’s where this new Windows Update comes in. Released for Windows 7 SP1 machines, KB 2852386 adds the ability to cleanup all the obsolete updates in the WinSxS folder. It’s a "recommended" update but not "critical," so you might not have installed it yet. You can either do a Windows Update to download it or head to the Knowledge Base article to grab it from there. (Note: Windows Update Cleanup is included in Windows 8.1.)

    Once you have it installed, run Disk Cleanup and click the "Clean up system files" button to find the new Windows Update Cleanup option. Note that running this cleanup will prevent you from uninstalling any updates you have currently applied, but you can manually download and install previous update versions if you ever need to rollback.

    Hit up TechNet below for more details, including a way to automate this process.

    Breaking News! Reduce the size of the WinSxS Directory and Free up Disk Space with a New Update for Windows 7 SP1 Clients | TechNet via InfoWorld

  • lightbeam

    Install this into Mozilla Firefox and USE IT!  Read their note below.

    As revelations about government surveillance continue to stun people around the world, I’m reminded of why I joined Mozilla three years ago as privacy and public policy lead.

    In the midst of massive investments in tracking and mining of user data, here was a group of people fiercely committed to making individual control part of the Web. Today, Mozilla is still proudly non-profit, and we still believe privacy and security are fundamental principles of the Internet that cannot be ignored.

    But we don’t just talk a good game, we build the tools that make a difference. And because you are a Mozilla supporter, I want you to be among the first to know about our latest free tool called Lightbeam for Firefox.

    We built Lightbeam to shine a spotlight on online data tracking to help people understand the Web. After you download and install the Lightbeam add-on to Firefox, it creates a real-time visualization of the websites you visit and all the third parties active on those sites. As you browse from site to site you can watch the visualization grow. You can also share your Lightbeam data with Mozilla and better inform a global dialog on the prevalence of tracking.

    We build tools like Lightbeam because we believe that everyone should understand and be in control of their user data and privacy. Privacy is what lets us trust that our laptops — and phones, apps and services — are truly ours and not working against us.

    Like you, I believe that the Web and our privacy and security are worth fighting for. I joined Mozilla because I wanted to be a part of a community of people working to build the Web we need — and fighting to protect the Web we love. Join the fight! Together we can collectively pull back the curtains on the Web and shine a light on how we’re being tracked online.

  • QR Code Generator WiFi AccessWant to make it so that your WiFi Router is easier to access for guests? 

    This is a free service to generate QR codes online for WiFi access QR codes (Android).

  • I dropped my Samsung Galaxy SIII another time, easily in the double digit numbers, and broke the glass for the second time.  The question I pondered this morning was: replace it with a Galaxy SIV or repair it by replacing the front panel?  Balancing the need to remain up to date with the fact that the phone has not left me feeling like I am behind even for a day.  Magnifying the concern over not wasting the phone I am also aware that I might like the Note III and I would love to consider the Nexus 5 although it isn’t out.

    810zyYQ9Q4L._SL1500_I have chosen to replace the front assembly which will also remove all the nicks and scratches.  I purchase the IFIXIT.com assembly and finally have chosen a protective case.  I purchased a Samsung Protective Plus Bumper Case for it.  Don’t ask why I didn’t have one from Day 1.  I think it was wanting to get a good price on a good looking protective case.  Now I think I should have my head examined, next time I will buy a case every time I want a new one and remember it is cheaper than the product at all times.

    This will be what I am doing this weekend.

  • The other day I was having problems with Skype, the individual at the other end was having troubles with Google Hangouts and we finally got FaceTime to work, although they had difficulty finding the app, despite it ringing.

    But it isn’t an individual problem, it occurs to all of us, all the time, so much so that Rob Cottingham hit the sweetspot of my thinking with this infographic.  I hope Rob actually puts creating this as a wheel to spin on Kickstarter, I know I would buy one as a desk toy.

    Click on the image for all his useful tips including his quick troubleshooting guide to ensuring a crystal-clear Skype call:

    1. Make sure you aren’t using your Internet connection for anything demanding, like downloading large video files or sending a three-line email message.
    2. Don’t run your microwave oven during your call if you’re on WiFi. Maybe you should unplug it. You know what? Give it to someone who lives at least three kilometres away.
    3. Are you wearing anything metal? Take it off. Surgical implants? Dental fillings? A pacemaker? Lose ‘em.
    4. Write up a transcript of your side of the call beforehand, and send it to the other participants. Ask them to do the same. Hey! Now you don’t need to call. So easy!

     

    w680

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