The 60 day after problem ...

All new computers have a built in trap. One you don't find out about till 60 days after purchase. Its called trial software (or unkindly bloatware or cr*pware!) - software pre-installed on you new PC.

The scenario is that you will be happily using Microsoft Word (or another Microsoft Office product eg Outlook) then... it wont work!

A box will popup saying "please enter the 25 character product key".

What this means is your trial has expired and you will need to purchase the product in order to keep using it. Basic versions of Office cost around $150.

The good news is that free software is available. As good or better than Microsoft Office. Examples are Open Office and Thunderbird & Gmail.

So if you come across the "60 day after problem" dont worry, you have two options - go and purchase the full version or just download some free software.

If you need help please contact me

A bullet proof backup strategy

A backup is a complete copy of all your data - that you cant afford to lose.

1. Have two complete backups on two different hard sources -

• The first location would be an always connected desktop external hard drive set to continuously backup.
• The second location being another portable external hard drive (or high capacity USB flash drive), this would be stored away and used to do a one off backup monthly (or weekly). Overwriting the previously stored backup.

2. Store a third complete backup offsite -

• This would be by using online backup eg Carbonite. These are set and forget solutions. Thus if the other two are lost by fire, flood or theft - you still can access your backup - by a simple login via the Internet.

10 Great Free Iphone Apps

Need some help finding some useful free Iphone apps? Here are my top 10:

• Pkt Weather lite - An Australian weather app
• Flashlight - turn your phone into a torch
• PS Mobile - Photoshop Mobile basic image editing on your device
• Remote - remotely control Itunes on your PC from your Iphone via WiFi
• Cnet News - Keep up to date with the latest technology news
• ABC News - now streaming ABC24 live along with radio
• Hoot Suite Lite - One of the best Twitter and Facebook apps
• Consume - Keep track of your Broadband and Mobile usage
• iBooks - Read books on your Iphone
• Solitaire - Always a good fallback when you just need to take a break

Password Protecting Documents On The Web

Prevent users from opening sensitive documents by password protecting PDF files.

Most PDF creators can be used to add security to documents. A good free program I use is PrimoPDF - it installs as a 'virtual' printer on your computer and allows you to create pdf files by 'printing' documents to PDF. It will convert to PDF any file you can print. In the process you have the option of adding a password to protect access to the file. You can also prevent people from copying text and printing the PDF.

Try opening this document - you could also try downloading the PDF but you would be unable to open it without the password...

5 Essential Free Software Programs

Don't buy software. Reputable, free software (see below) is available which is as good or better than bought software.

• Mozilla Firefox - it is faster, safer and better than Internet Explorer.
• AVG Free Edition - free anti virus for the home user.
• Mozilla Thunderbird - better than Outlook Express and Windows Mail.
• Open Office - why buy Microsoft Office, when Open Office is free.
• Picasa - Best all round photo editor.
  

Photo Backup Strategies

Make the assumption that your computer will fail - and you will lose everything. Your most precious memories are photo's - they are irreplaceable. In times past we had physical negatives - today we don't even have these. Our 'negatives' are computer image files. We cant physically touch them. As a result our photos are more fragile than ever.

So what to do?

• Downloaded images from your camera become your 'negatives'.
• DO NOT DELETE the images off your camera until they exist in two other places i.e. your computer and another backup destination (e.g. USB drive, External Hard Drive or CD/DVD).
• Create a structure in your computer such that you don't touch your original downloaded image files (and inadvertently lose/delete them!). Always use copies. Or use a program like Picasa which doesn't change the original image when editing.
• Consider printing out your images - paper still is one of the best forms of preserving your memories. At 10 cents a print it is a small price to pay. Plus it doesn't lock up your images on a computer. Remember when we used to show people our printed photos!
• Buy an external Hard Drive (now less than $100) and regularly backup to it. If you have nothing to do - backup! Consider online backup e.g. Carbonite