2021 Sites in Review, Part 3

2021 Sites in Review, Part 3

For the past two weeks, we have reviewed the sites that I wrote about in 2021. Today will be our last look at the last year’s sites. If you see something that reminds you of something you would like to tell me about…please contact me at rondoyle+ideas@gmail.com. I always look forward to hearing from my…

Malware Bites

I had an interesting email from Jim a couple of weeks ago regarding a column I wrote about my personal computer getting hit by malware.  He said that I mentioned Malwarbytes (malwarebytes.com) but he would like to know more about it.  Well as sometimes happens with emails like this I chuckle to myself and think,…

Ron’s Favorite Add-on Apps, Part 2

Last week we looked at several programs I recommend to be good additions to a Windows system.  They are either better than what comes on a PC or those applications may not usually be found on a new computer.  Of course, the apps are free…you know me. From the responses I have received you want…

Avast, me Hearties!

Although I have been and still am a fan of the Avast! antivirus application (avast.com) I recently stumbled onto something interesting.  I have always used the free version of Avast and it has worked quite well.  Since it is free you do get popups occasionally suggesting you try to better clean up your computer.  If…

I Took One for the Team

It finally happened to me, the tech "professional."  After years of reading, writing, researching, testing and reporting on technology and applications I got in trouble. When I suggest software to you I have always tested the applications or sites that I recommended before telling you about them.  In testing software applications I test them in…

New Computer Suggestions

Now that Christmas is over and you have a new Windows 10 computer, what should you do? I suggest the first thing you do out of the box is run a windows update.  It may be running a second after you boot up the computer; however, check to make sure. It is quite easy to…

Emailed Questions, Part 2

Last week I mentioned Chromebooks and Antivirus software.  Today in continuing with sharing emails and answers we look at the following questions. "How often do you run Windows Update, defrag, cleaning, and other computer maintenance?" Wow, huge question with a multitude of answers.  First I suggest for most users you should set windows updates to…

Emailed Questions, Part 1

Today I will look at a few questions I have recently received starting with one regarding last week’s Chromebook article. I have always thought it funny when you write one thing and get totally different responses.  From the Chromebook discussion last week I received the following two statements. First is, “[on] your assertion of Chromebooks…

PC Spring Cleaning, Part 3

The last two weeks we looked at some of the ways you need to physically clean your computer for spring or any other time of the year. Today we will clean your computer’s software. First, make sure that you are regularly checking your Operating Systems upgrades, i.e. HaWindows 7, 8.1, etc.  Yes, you may have…