Microsoft

Post image for What Has Happened to Continuity?

Was it something I said or did? Why aren’t you talking to me any more? Did I not do everything you asked? No, I’m not talking about dating here, although, in some way I sort of am. I am talking about being “dumped” by a brand. This is particularly painful if you are a blogger or content creator. Breakups are really hard, especially if you worked diligently to maintain the relationship. When it comes to commitment, you need to think about another word as well – continuity.

I have been very lucky. I have worked with a lot of amazing global brands like Sony, Ford, Intel, AT&T, Trend Micro, IBM (see some of the programs by clicking through the links) and plenty of smaller brands and firms. Some of these were longer-term projects and some were much shorter. Some were with other groups of bloggers or content creators like the Cast of Dads and other groups put together by brands or PR firms.

There is also another set of brands and vendors that I have worked with that are slightly different. These are sort of like the “summer time romances” where they are active for a while and then go away until the next project comes out. They provide me with new products to review from time to time or new experiences to participate in. Some of these brands are LG, Belkin, Microsoft, Logitech, D-Link, Jabra, Honeywell, Hyundai, Klutz, Nintendo, Norelco, and even Apple, among many others.

Continuity

Continuity

There is still one thing really irks me though. It’s when these brands go quiet…for a long time. They may come back, but often it is after an extended silence where much of the momentum and excitement that was originally present is lost due to a long period of “inactivity.” Don’t get me wrong though, I place an extremely high value on each and every program that I have participated in (or am currently involved in), regardless of whether they are long or short term.

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Post image for How to Stop CHKDSK from Running on Every Boot Up

Recently, my Windows 7 computer started running a CHKDSK each and every time that it booted up. For those that don’t know, the CHKDSK utility is a way that Windows validates the system file structure and integrity of your computer’s hard drive. You can scan your hard drive with it or run it with a fix (/f) flag to correct issues on your local hard drive. But, when time is critical, many of us don’t want to wait around while the system is scanned, especially if for some reason, it is happening each and every time you start up. When that happens, you either have a serious problem with your computer, or somehow your system has been automatically set to do this scan.

CHKDSK starting

CHKDSK starting

While I don’t condone stopping these scans, especially if your system does indeed have problems, having this run every single time you start up borders on maddening! So after some digging, research and testing, I have found the way to prevent this from happening.

Just a little disclaimer, while I did test this on my machine and it, thus far, did work, if something goes horribly wrong while you do the steps below, I’m not responsible for any data loss or corruption or any issues in general…you are assuming all the risks associated with these steps.

Steps to Prevent CHKDSK from Running on Every Computer Restart

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Post image for Wii U – Will U? I Will! Why I like the Nintendo Wii U

I’m not a hard core gamer. I do have an Xbox (original & 360), a PS3 and the original Wii. Now I have the Nintendo Wii U. I’m more of a social family gamer, that is to say, I only game with my kids (or occasionally when I have a free moment at night and then it is FPS and car racing games). But, for the most part, my game consoles are a bit dusty.

Recently, Nintendo came out with the Wii U, and I, not being a hard core gamer, thought that it was brilliant. When I first tried the original Wii, I knew that it would be powerful and literally, a game-changer. It got you out of your sofa and jumping around the room. Nintendo seemed to be the first that understood that it was important to do more than just move your thumbs. Active participation in a game was different. It was fun. It was engaging. And it was for the entire family. And it was new.

Nintendo WiiU console

Nintendo WiiU console

Other major platforms followed the lead of getting people out of their chairs. And, alas, the poor original Wii was a bit left behind. The other platforms were more powerful, had more games, supported HD formats and probably had more marketing dollars pushing them forward. And then the Wii U was announced. And I thought that once again, Nintendo was pushing the envelope by making a dual screened device. (Yes, I know there is a similar systems by Sony…but I haven’t had hands on with the Vita so I won’t be doing that comparison.)

HTD Girls at Wii U Launch Event

HTD Girls at Wii U Launch Event

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Post image for How To Disable Java in Chrome, Firefox, Safari & Internet Explorer on Mac OS or Windows to Prevent 0-Day Exploit

If you have been reading any of the Technical publications online, you will probably know that there is currently an exploit in Java that affects most internet browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Internet Explorer on systems that have Java installed. This is being called a zero-day or 0-day exploit which essentially means that there is a security vulnerability in an application that is so new (“day zero”) that the developers have not had time or the opportunity to patch or correct the security issue. If you think about a disease outbreak, this is day zero of the outbreak and no vaccinations have been created yet.

Java-skull

This Java vulnerability is currently in the wild and affecting systems. This currently identified exploit allows for remote code execution which means that if your system is vulnerable, an unauthorized and/or unauthenticated user on your system can launch arbitrary code without your knowledge. In some lab tests conducted by security firm AlienVault Labs, they were able to use the exploit to launch the Windows calculator. This exploit is already in the hands of hackers around the world and until Oracle who now manage the Java code line release a patch or update the software, it will remain a clear and present danger.

So, are you scared yet? You should be! The only way, currently, to prevent your system from being compromised is to fully disable Java in your browser. This is actually the recommendation from the United States Department of Homeland Security (US-CERT).

Here are some quick How-To’s for disabling Java in your browsers. Covered are Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Internet Explorer. [click to continue…]

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7 Essential Windows Hotkey Keyboard Combinations You Should Know and Use

December 4, 2012
Thumbnail image for 7 Essential Windows Hotkey Keyboard Combinations You Should Know and Use

I’m all about working efficiently when I’m on my computers whether they are Macs or PCs. And, for some reason, I simply hate having to drag my mouse over to an application or button to do something that should be quick. Luckily, both Apple and Microsoft have built in a series of hotkey commands or [...]

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How To Set the Default Address Book in Microsoft Outlook 2010

June 28, 2012
Thumbnail image for How To Set the Default Address Book in Microsoft Outlook 2010

I recently got a new computer at my work and got Microsoft Outlook 2010 installed on it. However, I kept running into problems as I was trying to send emails to people within my organization. I would type in their name and Outlook wouldn’t find it. I would then click the “To:” button and no [...]

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How To Create a “Work” Menu Like Office 2004/2008 in Microsoft Word 2011 for Mac

May 4, 2012
Thumbnail image for How To Create a “Work” Menu Like Office 2004/2008 in Microsoft Word 2011 for Mac

While I truly like Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac (you can see my review of it here on the Microsoft Office for Mac Blog), there are some folks who have complained about a feature being removed from previous versions, specifically, the “Work” menu that was present in previous versions of Word in Office for Mac [...]

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Shopping for Smartphones Making You Feel Dumb? It’s a Walk in the Park!

April 4, 2012
Thumbnail image for Shopping for Smartphones Making You Feel Dumb? It’s a Walk in the Park!

Everything is going smart these days. We have smart TVs, smart cars and the most obvious one, smart phones. What really is the meaning of “smart?” Are these items actually “intelligent” or do you have to be “smart” to use them? I would say it is a mixture of the two. “Smart” phones are probably [...]

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