I know that many of you use the free version of AVG as your antivirus program. It is what I personally use and recommend. It does a great job, and it is not bloated and slow like Norton.
Version 7.1 will expire on February 18. You may have seen some windows popping up to advise you of this. The most common email I have been receiving lately is, "What do I do now? I guess I have to buy the paid version, right?"
Wrong.
AVG is not discontinuing the free version. It is still available. It is just being updated to version 7.5. I actually wrote about this in my blog back in November when this upgrade was first announced. Some people upgraded then, but many did not. Now is the time! Below you will see a repeat of my November instructions. Do it now, while you are thinking about it!
All you need to do is get the new free version, which is version 7.5. You can get it at this download link. When you get to that page, you will see box that says "AVG Free for Windows installation files" and under that will be a link to download the actual file (the file name will end with .exe).
When you click on that, the file will start downloading (it is a fairly large file, so it might take a while if you are on a dialup connection). If you are using Firefox, choose "Save to disk" and the file will end up on your desktop, where you will double click to install the program. If you are using Internet Explorer, just choose "Run" and the file will automatically start installing when the download is complete.
You do not need to remove the current version before installing the new one.
Under "Component Selection", just leave all boxes checked.
Finally, you will need to restart the computer when the installation is finished, so be sure to save all of your open documents first.
If you are still using CounterSpy as your antispyware program (which you should), then you don't need to download the AVG anti-spyware program. And you don't want to download the "Trial Version" of the AVG paid antivirus program. Just get the free version, and you will have what you need.
This week's video: The Blink Count
Monday, January 29, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
Try Google Earth
I think one of the most amazing tools available on the internet today is the Google Earth program. I have been using it for quite a while and I still get a kick out of it. You can pick almost any place in the world and get an overhead picture of it. Here's an example of one - this is a neighborhood right here in Clearwater, Florida:
Of course, the actual picture would appear much larger in the program. You can plug in just about any address, and the program will zoom right to that spot. Or you can just "browse the world" and check out your choice of locations. Or look at some famous world landmarks.
Here are a couple of great things about Google Earth:
1. It's free! You can download it at http://earth.google.com
2. For you people in Maine that have had crummy, low-resolution satellite images in the past - check out the new Google Earth version 4. You can see your house now, even in Waldoboro, Maine!
This week's video: The "skunk prank" at the park bench
Of course, the actual picture would appear much larger in the program. You can plug in just about any address, and the program will zoom right to that spot. Or you can just "browse the world" and check out your choice of locations. Or look at some famous world landmarks.
Here are a couple of great things about Google Earth:
1. It's free! You can download it at http://earth.google.com
2. For you people in Maine that have had crummy, low-resolution satellite images in the past - check out the new Google Earth version 4. You can see your house now, even in Waldoboro, Maine!
This week's video: The "skunk prank" at the park bench
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Another fun, wild ride!
Anyone that has ever seen a rubber band break might be a little hesitant to try this one...
Monday, January 15, 2007
Clearing Google search history
Got this question from my friend Ken in Maine:
The question id like to ask Scott as i use firefox and it is great. Also Google for searches. Only thing i find with google is my searches are still in there. I highlighted then and click delete but i still see they are there. Could you please explain the steps to get rid of those searches.
Good question, Ken - a lot of people ask about that. Here is how you do it:
If you use Firefox, the quick and easy way to delete a specific search term from the Google home page search history list is to just use your "Down" arrow key on the keyboard to highlight the particular search word or phrase. Then, hold down the Shift key and hit the Delete key. This removes that one from the drop-down list.
The more general way to clear the list is to click on Tools - Options and select the Privacy tab. In the area titled "Saved Forms", click the "Clear Saved Form Data Now" button. Remember, however, that this will clear information that is saved from other websites also.
If you use Internet Explorer, click on Tools - Internet Options and choose the tab titled "Content". In the area called "Personal Information", choose Autocomplete. Then click on Clear Forms. As with Firefox, this will clear the data saved from other website forms as well, so be sure this is what you want to do.
This week's video: Why men die sooner than women
The question id like to ask Scott as i use firefox and it is great. Also Google for searches. Only thing i find with google is my searches are still in there. I highlighted then and click delete but i still see they are there. Could you please explain the steps to get rid of those searches.
Good question, Ken - a lot of people ask about that. Here is how you do it:
If you use Firefox, the quick and easy way to delete a specific search term from the Google home page search history list is to just use your "Down" arrow key on the keyboard to highlight the particular search word or phrase. Then, hold down the Shift key and hit the Delete key. This removes that one from the drop-down list.
The more general way to clear the list is to click on Tools - Options and select the Privacy tab. In the area titled "Saved Forms", click the "Clear Saved Form Data Now" button. Remember, however, that this will clear information that is saved from other websites also.
If you use Internet Explorer, click on Tools - Internet Options and choose the tab titled "Content". In the area called "Personal Information", choose Autocomplete. Then click on Clear Forms. As with Firefox, this will clear the data saved from other website forms as well, so be sure this is what you want to do.
This week's video: Why men die sooner than women
Sunday, January 14, 2007
One thing I don't miss about Maine
Maine is great and we loved living there for 14 years. However, this video is a good example of one reason I am glad to be in Florida:
Monday, January 8, 2007
How to open files with a different program
We all have our favorite programs to use. However, sometimes when we install a new program, it makes itself the default program for a particular type of file. For example, you might currently open all of your sound files with Windows Media Player. But if you decide to download and install RealPlayer, you will probably discover that your sound files all open with RealPlayer. Kind of annoying. So today, we will learn how to associate a certain type of file with a specific program.
As an example, we will use image files. Let's say that currently, whenever you click on an image file, the picture automatically opens in Windows Image Viewer. You just got a new program such as Photoshop Elements, so you want all of your pictures to open in that program. Here's how you make that switch.
First, find a picture file. There are probably some located in My Pictures, which is a subfolder of My Documents. Right-click on the file name, and move the cursor to "Open with...". Then in the new menu that opens up, you will see a list of programs. You might even see the program that you want to use. Do not click on it. Instead, move your cursor down and click on "Choose Program". Then click the "Browse" button.
Now you will see a Windows dialogue box. You have to find the program. Don't worry, it's not that difficult. If you already have an icon for the program on your desktop, just click on "Desktop" and choose that program from there. If you don't have that on your desktop, go and make the desktop shortcut first and then come back to this procedure.
Once you have chosen your program, there is one more vital step. You will see a little checkbox that says "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file". Check that box and click OK.
The first thing that you will see happen is that the file will open immediately in the program you chose (in this case, Photoshop Elements). Now, close all programs and windows. Go back to your list of picture files and just double-click on one of them. It should automatically open in Photoshop Elements.
You have just changed a file association. Congratulations!
This week's video: three hidden camera pranks
As an example, we will use image files. Let's say that currently, whenever you click on an image file, the picture automatically opens in Windows Image Viewer. You just got a new program such as Photoshop Elements, so you want all of your pictures to open in that program. Here's how you make that switch.
First, find a picture file. There are probably some located in My Pictures, which is a subfolder of My Documents. Right-click on the file name, and move the cursor to "Open with...". Then in the new menu that opens up, you will see a list of programs. You might even see the program that you want to use. Do not click on it. Instead, move your cursor down and click on "Choose Program". Then click the "Browse" button.
Now you will see a Windows dialogue box. You have to find the program. Don't worry, it's not that difficult. If you already have an icon for the program on your desktop, just click on "Desktop" and choose that program from there. If you don't have that on your desktop, go and make the desktop shortcut first and then come back to this procedure.
Once you have chosen your program, there is one more vital step. You will see a little checkbox that says "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file". Check that box and click OK.
The first thing that you will see happen is that the file will open immediately in the program you chose (in this case, Photoshop Elements). Now, close all programs and windows. Go back to your list of picture files and just double-click on one of them. It should automatically open in Photoshop Elements.
You have just changed a file association. Congratulations!
This week's video: three hidden camera pranks
