Hide and Secure Data With Folder Lock

Folder Lock 7 is a jack-of-all-trades for file encryption and data security. Not only does it encrypt and hide volumes and folders with an on-the-fly 256-bit algorithm, it also protects USB drives and creates wallets to list and store important information such as bank accounts, online passwords, and such. The program goes even further with a secure erase (shred) function, data lockers (think Windows Briefcase), and the ability to run stealthily--that is, without any sign that it's operating.

Folder Lock 7's interface is super-easy to use, but a bit over the top in appearance.Version 7 of Folder Lock adds an optional online component to the mix, synching your data lockers to NewSoftwares' own storage service if you desire. The service is $5 per month for every 10GB, not the cheapest but relatively competitive. 10GB should be more than enough for only your secure data. Other neat features are login attempt tracking, and creating both normal and self-extracting password protected zip files. (PCWorld last reviewed Folder Lock at version 6.25).

The program couldn't be any easier to use, though the first time you lock and hide a folder it can be a bit shocking to go to a drive and see it locked, or to find a folder missing. Folder Lock keeps two services running, but didn't appear to impact performance at all. The program is completely password driven, so there are no certificates to lose as with Windows Bitlocker. There's a master password for the program, which you will need if you decide to uninstall it.

To read this full article go to:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/247068/hide_and_secure_data_with_folder_lock.html#tk.hp_new



By Friendly Computers Copyright: 2010-01-28


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iPad Future is Hazy

The next iPad might use a 7-inch screen, but it might not. It might get released on Steve Jobs's birthday, but it might not. One thing we can be sure of, though: iPhones are used more for gaming than Android phones--or else they're not. The remainders can't make up their minds.

Apple viewed as unlikely to launch 7-inch iPad in 2012 (AppleInsider)

One Wall Street analyst says that, despite the rumors, Apple won't release a 7-inch iPad Nano. Or a 7-inch iPod Touch Pro. Instead, this analyst predicts that Apple will drop the price of the iPad 2 to the mid-$300 range when the company releases the iPad 3. What this analyst won't say, but I'm boldly predicting here, is that the iPad 3 will move from a 10-inch display to a 10-foot one. You heard it here first.

read the full article here:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/246979/ipad_future_is_hazy.html



By Friendly Computers Copyright: 2010-01-28


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Google Voice Lets You 'Send a Call From Santa' Once Again

Google is getting into the holiday spirit once again with its "Send A Call From Santa" website. Last year Google gave jolly old Saint Nick his very own Google Voice phone number (855-34-SANTA), that people could call from their Google Voice accounts (or regular phones).

Santa's got the same phone number this year, so you can call up the North Pole and leave him a message (he can't pick up, because, well…he's pretty busy these days). This is a great tech-savvy way to get your kids' Christmas lists to Santa--instead of having them write it down, just have them dictate it through a VoIP service to Santa's voicemail! Very Christmas 2.0.

You can also send your child (or someone else) a personalized call from Santa using Google's Send A Call From Santa website. Just head on over tosendacallfromsanta.com, fill in some info about the person you want to send a call to (such as name, your relationship, their favorite food, etc.), and they'll get a cool, personalized call from Santa himself.

To Read the rest of this visit:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/246762/google_voice_lets_you_send_a_call_from_santa_once_again.html#tk.hp_new



By Friendly Computers Copyright: 2010-01-28


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How To Get Windows 8 Features Now

Windows 8 will be the first Windows operating system since Windows 95 to drastically modify the user interface. Not only will we see a port of the Windows Phone 7 Metro UI, we'll also see support for multiple monitor setups, an immersive version of Internet Explorer, and touchscreen optimization.

Many of the improvements that Windows 8 will bring (for example, access to the Windows Store, native USB 3.0 support, "Refresh and Reset" features that simplify restoring your system to its factory default configuration, and Windows Live account integration) aren't available yet. Nevertheless, you can get the general look and feel of Windows 8 on your Windows 7 machine--including an approximation of the Metro UI, multiple monitor support, and the ribbon-style toolbar in Windows Explorer--right now. Here's how.

To read the full article go to: http://www.pcworld.com/article/246249/how_to_get_windows_8_features_now.html#tk.hp_fv


By Friendly Computers Copyright: 2010-01-28


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Android Blog Buzz: Google Prepping Siri Killer Dubbed Majel

The Android blogosphere is abuzz that Google might have a Siri killer called Majel out by year-end.

The blog Android and Me has kicked off the frenzy with a post based on details received about the "secret project" in recent weeks: "Majel is an evolution of Google's Voice Actions that is currently available on most Android phones with the addition of natural language processing. Where Voice Actions required you to issue specific commands like 'send text to…' or 'navigate to…' Majel will allow you to perform actions in your natural language similar to how Siri functions."

Android and Me reports Majel is being cooked up at Google X, the company's top-secret lab, and that the technology is expected first for Google searches. Consensus among Android watchers is that Majel is more likely to surface early next year than this month.

SIRI GONE BAD: Siri gets caught in middle of husband/wife spat (video)

Majel won't be the first or only Android-based Siri alternative. In fact, Network World this week published a slideshow on 7 free Siri alternatives for Android, some of which beat the iPhone 4S and Siri to market.

The name Majel might ring a bell for Trekkies, as it comes from the name of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry's wife, Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, also the voice of the Federation Computer on Star Trek.

Credit: Wikimedia Commons - The name Majel comes from Majel Barrett-Roddenberry who was the voice of the Federation Computer from Star Trek.The blog Droid Forums notes that Google no doubt has multiple voice technology projects underway, including those based on technology obtained last year via Google's buyout of Phonetic Arts.

Geek.com writes that Google has a huge challenge in catching up to or surpassing Siri, which it describes as having "roots in a military DARPA project, and is the culmination of over 40 years of research."

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By Friendly Computers Copyright: 2010-01-28


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Review of nSpaces

nSpaces

Virtual desktop software nSpaces (free/donationware) provides four virtual workspaces, or spaces that you may split your applications and documents between. For instance, you could have your word processing stuff on one desktop, your spreadsheets on another, your email application and messages on the third, and a movie on the last. The idea is to organize your work and reduce clutter.

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,201923-order,4/description.html#tk.hp_new



By Friendly Computers Copyright: 2010-01-28


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Why Call a Geek

By Friendly Computers Copyright: 2010-01-28


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Over 18,000 Repaired

By Friendly Computers Copyright: 2010-01-28


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Meet the Staff

By Friendly Computers Copyright: 2010-01-28


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