Microsoft Release New MSN Search
The latest entry into the search engine market is from MSN (Microsoft Network). It offers many of the features of the Google Search Toolbar, like a built-in pop-up blocker and the Google Desktop Search feature. In addition there is a Music, News, Image, E-mail, and Encarta search helping to make your searches more precise. One of the better features of the MSN Toolbar Suite is the On-line Password manager that can be used to store passwords for every web site that requires one.
The results of the few searches I tried were very similar to those of my favorite, “Google”. Both MSN and Google seem to give more relevant results than Yahoo, which allows advertisers to pay for their ranking in the results.
For more information, go to: ( http://www.imagine-msn.com/search/tour/encarta.aspx )
Microsoft Anti-Spyware Software is the Best
I’ve tried just about every anti-spyware product and the beta (test) version of the Microsoft “free” software is by far the best and most feature-packed. Unfortunately, it will only run on the Windows 2000/XP operating systems and is a limited trial version (190 days). Microsoft has teamed with Giant to create this beta version, but advise current Giant software users to keep their existing software. Microsoft doesn’t offer formal support for the software, but does sponsor a newsgroup where you can find help if you need it. Some of the key features are real-time computer protection, scheduled spyware scans, and automatic updates. Although the software is free for now, it remains to be seen if it will remain free or if Microsoft’s competitors will file another anti-trust law suit.
For more information, go to: ( http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx )
The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool helps remove infections for Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 computers including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom.
For more information, go to: ( http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx )
You can perform a variety of on-line security checks by going to the One on One Computer Consultants Home page at: ( http://www.1on1cc.com ) and clicking on the link to Symantec Security Check. You can perform a Virus Check, Security Check, and/or Trace a Potential Attack on your computer system.
TweakNow RegCleaner 2.0.3
The heart of the Windows operating system is the system registry. It controls how Windows operates and how it handles all the other software applications. In a perfect world, when you install a software application, it adds the necessary entries to the system registry. When you uninstall the program, then the registry entries are removed. Well, it just doesn’t happen that way. Many programs leave useless entries in your registry. The larger your registry, the longer it takes your system to start, search for entries, load software, or shut down. TweakNow RegCleaner will scan your system registry and allow you to remove obsolete entries. It even has a “recovery” feature in case you mistakenly remove an entry you need for a software application.
For more information, go to: ( http://www.tweaknow.com )
Free Ware Guide
There are many so-called “free” programs on the Internet. Some really are ”free”, but some include spyware or are very limited versions. The web site “freeware-guide.com” takes a lot of the guess work out for you. Every month they review available free software and select what they consider the best program. They seem to search it for any imbedded spyware and give a realistic overview of what the software can and can’t do.
Go to: ( http://www.freeware-guide.com/ )
Before you upgrade your Anti-Virus/Firewall Software
The latest versions of the major brands of anti-virus software are packed full of features. For users of the Windows 2000 and XP operating systems, it’s quite a plus. For users of the older operating systems (Windows 95/98/ME), it can be more of a hindrance than a benefit to update to one of the newer versions. The older operating systems are limited by the amount of available system resources (a combination of available Random Access Memory and free hard drive space). When the newer software is installed, it will use up a lot of those resources since so many functions are loaded during startup. When the amount of available system resources drop below 60%, your computer is in danger of locking up or “freezing”. That means you could lose any work that was in progress, since you’ll have to reboot your computer. My advice is to update your anti-subscription for another year instead purchasing the newer version of the software.
For more computer Tips
& Tricks go to the One on One Computer Consultants Tips Page at:
(
http://www.1on1cc.com/tips.htm )