2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

Tip of the Day -

Tinkering With Passwords

I am sure that I don’t have to remind you how important it is to create really strong passwords if you are going to do your banking and buying online. It’s no good just using the kids or pets names and don’t commit the cardinal sin of using the same passwords or PINs for everything. Yes, I know it’s difficult to remember them all, but it’s really important, so here’s an easy way to create a strong password, and recover it if you forget. It’s called WinTinker Easy Password Generator and this is how it works. You enter your easy to remember password into the box and the program (downloadable Windows and on-line version available) jumbles it up and substitutes characters, making it practically unguessable, though just slightly recognisable. If you forget it just go back to the program and tap in your memorable password and it will be recreated.

11/03/10

Do you have a tip or tweak for Windows that you would like to share with other PC users? If so we would really like to see it, jot it down and email it to us at: PCTopTips

News Briefs

News Brief Archives 2006, 2007 2008 2009 2010

More Scary Robot News, Part 10

It’s much worse than I feared, reports have surfaced (via Gizmodo), of attempts to create a super race of robots in Russia. This image dates back to 1967 and shows a so-called domestic robot called Electron. Apparently he, or it is able to understand 112 commands, it can waltz and play chess and stands just over 7 feet tall. If the Ruskies could do all that 30 years ago what are their robots capable of now? There are more even scarier pictures of Electron and his chums on the Cyberneticzoo site. Flee before it is too late, just stay out of my tree…

11/03/10

Protect Your Gadgets & Goolies

Hats and trousers off to wtfheans for their newest jeans. They’re designed to protect that which men hold most dear, namely their gadgets, and the family jewels. First the gadget features, and these include a pocket specifically designed for an iPhone or iPod Touch (or similar device). It’s positioned to stop your precious getting crunched when you sit down, and padded with a microfibre material that promises to keep it safe, and even give it a quick polish when you put it in or take it out. There’s also a hidden pocket for a memory stick, to keep your data cost and safe. Lastly there’s added padding around the nether regions, which the maker’s say is meant to keep a chap’s undercarriage warm – though I seem to remember reading somewhere that this wasn’t necessarily a good thing, but I suppose it beats popping a pair of socks down there…

0803

Windows 7 RC Self-Destructs

Just in case any of you are still using the free release candidate (RC) version of the operating system, you will start noticing strange goings-in. The trial period has now ended and it begins with warning pop-ups, and unannounced twice-hourly shutdowns; anything you are working on will not be saved. This will continue until June 1st when it goes into ‘non-genuine’ mode, at which point a permanent warning notice appears on the screen, the wallpaper disappears and it will no longer be possible to download updates. Be warned, there are a number of fixes on the Internet that claim to be able to fix Windows 7 Release Candidate’s suicidal tendency but as far as I’m aware none of them work properly and some of them contain viruses or malware.

0403

News Brief Archives 2006, 2007 2008 2009  2010