Quick, tell me what “Wi-Fi” stands for. Yes, yes, I know it’s goofy computer shorthand for wireless networking, but, what does it mean? You have five seconds and there’s a prize involved. “Wi-Fi” is short for “wireless fidelity,” a term coined sometime around 1999,...
Over the years, the back rooms of my house have turned into a sort of computer salvage yard and recycling center. Numerous shelves are stacked with all sorts of bits and pieces salvaged from otherwise dead machines. If you need a replacement thingamabob for your...
A customer recently complained that his email program was crashing every time he tried to send photos taken with his digital camera to friends and relatives. After a bit of investigation, I discovered the problem. He was, on the surface, doing everything right....
Like Star Trek’s Mr. Spock, an eyebrow was raised today when I read the subject line of an important-looking email. It said, ”VERY URGENT – PLEASE READ – NOT A JOKE.” “Oh boy, here we go again,” I thought, but I read the email, anyway. It warned against...
Remember the hapless chap from last week’s column whose password was “Bob?” After switching to a “real” password (which should never be an actual “word,” anyway) and doing some essential repairs, the bad guys stopped invading his computer. Bob has been happier ever...
