Computer Resources
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Search Engines
The following services are valuable tools for finding information on the web and in newsgroups. Some have moved towards a "portal" approach, providing news and other information services on the main page. You can help narrow your search by placing your search phrase in quotes. Don't necessarily limit yourself to the first page of links that turn up on a search. In many cases, companies are now paying for more visible placement on these search engines. "Relevancy" ratings may merely be the product of payment for placement.
Bing Micro$oft may have finally done something well besides Excel!
Dogpile
Google The word "google" has become a verb!
Metacrawler
Metacrawler searches all of the major engines, and returns results from each of them in one report. This is the most efficient method for a difficult search, but may prove overwhelming for items that are more easily found.
Webcrawler
Yahoo!
Web Browsers
In all likelihood, you are viewing this page with Internet Explorer. There are other options, including those listed here:
Firefox The most popular outgrowth of the Mozilla project, Firefox is cross-platform, and can be heavily customized through the many extensions that are available for it. Particularly amongst those condemned to using Windows, it is seen as a safer alternative.
Chrome Google's entry into the browser category is fast, extensible, and relatively new.
Safari is the browser from Apple. Originally designed for exclusively for OS X, it is now cross-platform and extensible as well.
Opera claims to be the fastest browser available. It comes in versions for most platforms, including Linux/Solaris.
iCab is a Mac-only browser made in Germany. It has a smaller memory and hard drive footprint than most other browsers.
We live in a day and age when passwords have become the only way we can exist in the online world. Consequently, protecting the security of these passwords has become vital. Proper security begins with the creation of different and strong passwords for each site, which creates the challenge of remembering each of these passwords. This is where software can help.
Remember All Those Passwords? No Need This June 5, 2013 article by New York Times columnist David Pogue begins with basic advice regarding safe password practices. He then goes on to sing the praises of a specific program, which is amongst those listed below.
Each of these utilities help you to generate and store strong passwords. You simply need to remember your main password, then let the programs remember everything else for you.
Dashlane This is the program the Pogue highlighted in the column linked above. It is free to use, and charges a $20/year fee to add the ability to sync across devices.
KeePass is open-source, and unlike the other programs listed here, completely free for all features. It takes a bit more work to set up syncing, but once that's done, you have a free and secure program that can also help you generate passwords. A worthy contender.
LastPass Much like Dashlane, LastPass is free to use, but charges a fee ($12/yr. in this case) to sync and to eliminate ads. For $20 annually, you can have the premium versions of both LastPass and xMarks, the handy browser bookmarks syncing utility.
1Password is the most expensive of these programs when viewed in terms of up-front cost. There is no free option, and each version, for your computer and for your mobile devices carries a purchase. However, once purchased, you're done paying for the program. There is no ongoing subscription, which in the long-term should prove to be less expensive. Browser plug-ins for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari make this program particularly convenient.
Software
VersionTracker.com provides information on software updates and new share and freeware. This includes information on the changes included in the new version, user comments, and links to download the software. The plain versiontracker.com link will take you automatically to the page appropriate to the operating system you are currently using. If you wish to switch over, simply click on the appropriate tab. Support independent innovation in software development. Pay your shareware fees!!
Microsoft Mactopia One of the great myths spread by those who don't know is that Macs cannot run Office, or other business software. This part of Microsoft's official site demonstrates the wide range of products produced by the software giant for the Mac, including a version of Office, one entirely compatible with the Windoze versions of Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
Learning About Computers
Bootcamp is the name of a series about computers on Bloomberg radio. Hosted by local reporter Fred Fishkin, this series has been running for many years (originally on WCBS 880), and has provided many helpful tips for the average computer user. The links section of this site provides a varied and interesting set of links.
Lousday is a web site run by the former computer guru of Newsday, Lou Dolinar. He has authored several series in Newsday designed to walk the home computer user through the basics, step-by-step. This site contains many links to helpful articles. It now also includes Dolinar's thoughts on the rapidly-changing newspaper industry, and some of his thoughts on society and politics, which veers towards the right.
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