Are you shopping for a new Laptop? We take a look at a great option – The 2011-2012 Macbook Air 11″.

Check out our Video below if you are on our PCG blog, or go to:
http://prestwickcomputer.com/blog/blog.php/ for more information if you are using our audio podcast.

You may change the Quality of the Video Stream by Clicking on the Gear Icon below the Video. Keep in mind that the higher resolutions (HD) require a fast Internet Connection to play smoothly.

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Show Links: Macbook Air, VMware Fusion

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Apple released an update (5.1.1) for most all of the IOS devices a couple of days ago. If you have an Iphone (3GS, 4 or 4s), IPad (any version), or IPod Touch (3rd, 4th generation) you should go get it now. This is not a hugh update, but it does provide a number of bug fixes and security updates. Fortunately, the update file is small (~ 50 MB) and you don’t need your computer or Itunes to complete the install. You can perform the entire process on your I-Device. So, how do you do it?

First make sure your battery is charged or plug up to AC. You should also be connected to the Internet via WIFI – not necessary, but it will save data charges. Tap your SETTINGS icon and select GENERAL. Tap the SOFTWARE UPDATE tab and you should see the 5.1.1 update screen. Tap Download and Install, and follow the prompts. Your device will reboot during the approximately 10 – 15 minute procedure.

That’s it – quick, simple and straight forward.

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You need Antivirus/Malware Software protection on Windows, and yes, on the Mac, as well. We take a look at several free and paid packages.

Check out our Screencast below if you are on our PCG blog, or go to:
http://prestwickcomputer.com/blog/blog.php/ for more information if you are using our audio podcast.

You may change the Quality of the Video Stream by Clicking on the Gear Icon below the Video. Keep in mind that the higher resolutions (HD) require a fast Internet Connection to play smoothly.

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Show Links: Avast, AVG, MSE, Webroot Security Essentials, Norton Antivirus 2012, ClamXav, Sophos

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Dropbox, Skydrive, Google Drive – Free backup and storage. Learn how to secure your files with Truecrypt.

Check out our Screencast below if you are on our PCG blog, or go to:
http://prestwickcomputer.com/blog/blog.php/ for more information if you are using our audio podcast.

You may change the Quality of the Video Stream by Clicking on the Gear Icon below the Video. Keep in mind that the higher resolutions (HD) require a fast Internet Connection to play smoothly.

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Show Links: Dropbox, Skydrive, Google Drive, Truecrypt

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Dropbox started it all, but now we have the two big boys in the picture. So far, this week we have seen Microsoft upgrade it’s Skydive Cloud Service, and the long-awaited Google Drive has finally materialized.

So, what do we get from each of these services. Each has a unique pricing scheme, but let’s just concentrate on the free aspects. All three provide you with the backup and syncing capability that Dropbox coined long ago. You have a single folder where you can drag-and-drop files that will be backed up and synchronized across all of your computers – and to the Cloud. Of course, you will need to have the application installed on those respective computers or mobile devices. Skydrive and Google Drive seem to work just as smoothly and efficiently as Dropbox. Simple to install and easy to use. Dropbox continues to give 2 GB of free storage, whereas Skydrive provides 7 GB and Google Drive provides 5. If you were lucky enough to have obtained a Skydrive account, prior to April 22, 2012, then you may be able to obtain 25 GB of free space. A great deal, so check out the Skydrive website today.

As far as platform support, Dropbox works on just about anything, including Windows, Mac, Android and iOS. Skydrive offers support for Windows, Windows Phone, Mac, and iOS, including iPhone and iPad. The Skydrive mobile support is excellent. Google Drive supports Windows, Mac, and Android. Currently, there is no support for iOS, however, it is supposed to be coming soon. Remote file sharing is supported on all.

Each offer an excellent opportunity for you to backup and synchronize your data offsite. Dropbox provides plenty of space for simple data files, however, if you need more space jump up to Skydrive at Microsoft. Early adopters have 25 GB, and the rest still have 7GB – ample space for data and photos.

Keep in mind that none of these services support client side encryption – (TNO) trust no one. So, if you have files that are sensitive and you want them to be completely secure and private, then you will want to encrypt your files before uploading. To be clear, all of these services provide encryption on their servers, and the files are encrypted as they travel from your computer to the server. However, since Microsoft, Dropbox, and Google hold the keys to the encryption, they can decrypt and read your files, in the clear. Certainly, this does not mean that they will read your files, however, they can. A Trust No One policy (TNO) means that your files are encrypted before they leave your computer and only you have the password. You can easily solve this problem by using Truecrypt for your private files.

Dropbox, Skydrive and Google Drive provide three great options – grab them while they are free.

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I became a computer geek in 1977, some 35 years ago. It was the year that Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak introduced the Apple II, and Radio Shack pushed out the TRS-80, nationwide. The PC revolution was born.

The ensuing years have given us changes and improvements in hardware, software, speed, design and elegance. All of these iterations, however, have been evolutionary – not revolutionary. The fundamental Personal Computer is, in many ways, no different than it was in 1977. For normal folks, it is still complex and not particularly user friendly. We continue to use a keyboard and mouse for human input and our Operating System (OS) user interface looks almost the same. The Personal Computer (PC) is really not that personal. It is aloof, difficult, frustrating and often incomprehensible to the non-geek. So, why do we continue to use this PC? Perhaps, because there has not been anything better. Until now…

With the IPad, Apple has ushered in a new world of tablet computing. A device that is relatively simple to use, intuitive, engaging and much more personal and intimate. A computer for the masses – for the normal folks.

Why an IPad? It provides access to everything that most of us need and want. We can browse the Internet, email, message, video conference, shoot and edit photos and HD video, listen to music, watch tv and movies, get turn by turn directions (gps), file taxes, maintain finances – including banking, read (news, newspapers, magazines, books), print, follow our social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Google+), play games, check on the weather, shop, take college courses, participate in a myriad of hobbies, and much more. There are over 600,000 applications that are easily installed, generally inexpensive and curated for security.

We have been fighting malware for years on Windows based PC’S. In the early days it was largely just a nuisance. Today, your identity may be stolen and your finances and credit can be compromised. Recently we have seen this problem spread to the Apple Mac OS X world – once thought to be a safe haven.

The IPad running IOS currently offers a much more secure platform. Many common exploits that are run on PC’s, take advantage of security holes in Adobe Flash and Sun Java. The IPad is immune, since it does not natively run Flash or Java. In addition, sandboxing and hardware encryption provide another layer of protection. Data and application backup are simple and easy using ICloud over the Internet or ITunes if you have a PC.

Ipad Internet connectivity via WIFI is similar to a laptop, but with the addition of 3 or 4G this device becomes truly ubiquitous. Take it with you and stay connected most anywhere – without a cellular contract.

Some would say that the IPad is not a full production device. I agree, but how many of use are power users? Do we need a full keyboard for most tasks? Will a secondary Bluetooth keyboard suffice for those rare occasions? Is access to data file structure important for any of the IPad activities listed above? Most normal PC users who purchase an IPad never look back.

Why not buy an Android tablet? There are many other tablet computers. Most notably, the Android based tablets are available everywhere. Unfortunately, they are not ready for prime time. Great hardware, but too much fragmentation in the market. Apple controls the hardware and the OS. The system is closed and the designs are carefully executed. Presently, the IPad is the top of the line, with almost no competition. The Windows Tablet may change this scenario – we will see.

So, if you are a normal computer user who generally has just one PC – not a geek or power user, just buy an IPad and you will be happy.

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Thinking about buying a new computer and donating your old one? Make sure you wipe or erase that hard drive.

Check out our Screencast below if you are on our PCG blog, or go to:
http://prestwickcomputer.com/blog/blog.php/ for more information if you are using our audio podcast.

You may change the Quality of the Video Stream by Clicking on the Gear Icon below the Video. Keep in mind that the higher resolutions (HD) require a fast Internet Connection to play smoothly.

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Show Links: Darik’s Boot and Nuke, ImageBurn

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Apple/Mac fans have been surprised, this week, to see headlines like “Malware on my Mac”. Could this be true? We are not suppose to get Malware on or Macs. Well, it does happen every now and then, and we need to react.

Mac OS X has become more popular, and this notoriety brings forth opportunity. The bad guys are always looking for new targets. This time, it seems they may have found a bonanza of 500,000 computers.

So, make sure you run Software Update and get the latest Java patch. If you don’t have Java on your Mac, you are probably ok.

Adam Engst has a nice little test program at Tidbits.com. Grab the test4flash.zip and run it to see if you have been infected. If so, you can go to F-Secure and get detailed instructions for removal.

Do our Macs need Anti-malware software now? Perhaps, we will see.

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Backing up your data should be a high priority. Sooner or later you will need that backup. We take a look at some of the options.

Check out our Screencast below if you are on our PCG blog, or go to:
http://prestwickcomputer.com/blog/blog.php/ for more information if you are using our audio podcast.

You may change the Quality of the Video Stream by Clicking on the Gear Icon below the Video. Keep in mind that the higher resolutions (HD) require a fast Internet Connection to play smoothly.

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Show Links: Acronis, EaseUS, Redo Backup, SuperDupper, Second Copy, Cobian Backup, Dropbox, Wuala

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Adobe has just released an update for the flash player – version 11.2. As always, you should definitely grab and install it, as soon as you can. This update addresses several memory corruption vulnerabilities when used in Windows and Mac OS X, as well as other operating systems.

If you’re using Google Chrome as your Internet browser, you don’t have to worry because chrome automatically installs the latest flash version along with its normal update routine. However, if you are using Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari you definitely need to get this update now.

This version also brings with it a surprise. Adobe for the first time has included an automatic update feature within the 11.2 version. When you run the installer there will be an option to select auto update. This would be a wise choice. In the future, Adobe will then, simply install the flash updates when they’re available – keeping you safe and secure.

The update can be found at Adobe Flash Player

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