Windows Tools, Help & Guides

Previously I’ve written about the hopeless people who are calling the Tech Support Hotline (Read here). I’ve also given you a great tool to use, when dealing with these individuals and others in dire need of assistance (Read here).

This time, Let’s share stories about the Tech Support People who weren’t any help, or who never should have picked up the phone that day at all. I have a few stories here that made me laugh and I hope they can brighten you day as well.

What I’d really like thou, is for you to share your story, with me and the rest of our faithful readers.

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Microsoft is warning users about a fake anti virus product named “Security Essentials 2010″, near identical to the naming of the company’s own protection software.

The fake software is actually the trojan Win32/Fakeinit. If a user installs the software then Fakeinit’s downloader installs a fake scanner component that monitors other processes and attempts to terminate them. In some cases, processes will be flagged as if they are infected.

The trojan also lowers a number of security settings in the registry and changes the desktop background to an unchangeable multicoloured warning: YOUR SYSTEM IS INFECTED

Please be advised and Do NOT download this software!

Read more about it here!

Did you know that by choosing the right font you can actually make your inkjet printer more cost-effective ?

From time to time you’ll find link to free typefaces and fonts here on mintywhite which I’m sure you have put to good use – I know I have. I always thought that it was heavy colors and graphics that caused my ink to run out faster than greased lightning. But now it turns out that by choosing the right font when printing your documents, you  can actually save lots of ink and money.

Designers Matt Robinson and Tom Wrigglesworth looked at ink usage of some commonly used typefaces, by hand-drawing them with ballpoint pens. And the results really amazed me.

Read on to see which font is more economical in use…

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Are you able to understand or read the following?
Fil, Rediger, Vis, Gå Til, Verktøy …. No ?
How about now: File, Edit, View, Go, Tools …. ?

In our multi-lingual world it is getting more common to share your workplace with people from other countries. Here in Norway you can now expect to walk into any workplace and meet at least one who speaks any of the following languages: English, Polish, Russian, Turkish etc. etc. Have you ever tried to work on a software with a foreign language ? Well many people have to – unless you can afford to buy one license for each language that is. For me to read and write Russian or Polish would be as impossible as it would be for you to read Norwegian.

Luckily there is a solution!
Microsoft has released Interface Language packs to be downloaded (some bought) and installed on top of your Office installation, making it possible to switch between different language setups. 

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To set up an email account in Outlook 2010 is very straight forward. You get started by clicking the orange File button. This will show the new file-menu system. Here you can add and edit accounts, cleanup your mailbox and create Rules and Alerts. All you’re existing accounts (if any) will show up in the top part of the window.

In this article we’ll be setting up two account types:

• POP3/SMTP account
• Windows Live/Hotmail account

[UPDATE] Added Pop3 Information for Hotmail accounts.

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Have you ever had to call the tech-support only to get hold of a person who seems to be laughing at you ? Well he probably did…

Those of us who have worked in user support have met all kinds of people on the phone. Some have genuine problems. Some problems are hard to figure out, others are simple to solve, and sometimes, the caller is plain and simply a ‘TCF….

Read on and I’ll explain…

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There are so many good websites out there; it can sometimes be hard to decide what to read and when to find time to read it. One site I highly recommend is Windows 7 Update, which is run by Onuora Amobi. Windows7Update brings you the most accurate news, screenshots, wallpaper, downloads, articles, research and books related to Windows 7. Here are some links to get you started:
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Microsoft Office (Mondo) 2010 Build 14.0.4417.1000 has hit the streets.

So far it’s proving to compliment Windows 7 very nicely indeed.

Here’s some basic screenshots for your pleasure!

Do you have Office 2010 installed?  What do you like or dislike about it?  Tell us about it in the comments or let us know about anymore screenshots you’d like to see.

There are so many good websites out there; it can sometimes be hard to decide what to read and when to read it. One such good site is Technix Update, which is run by Abhishek Bhatnagar.

Technix Update focuses on computer tips and tricks and helps you get the most out of your PC. I am an RSS subscriber and I look forward to the newest posts, from which I’ve learned a lot.

Here are some links to get you started:

• Technix Update
• Technix Update RSS feed
• Windows Vista Tips

Abhishek runs some other sites, too, which include:

• Trouble Fixers – All About Fixing Computer Troubles
• CarBlog India – All About Automobiles
• Mobile Tips Tricks – Mobile Phone Tips and Tricks
• Reality Tv Cut – A View On Indian Reality TV Shows
• Sites To Use – Your Guide To Useful Sites

What other sites do you like?

Suggest them in the comments and please tell us why you recommend them.

ESET Smart Security is, arguably, the best virus detection Software available for PCs. I don’t like to review paid software on Windows guides because this site is all about free stuff; I save the paid software for Windows Forums. However, the reason I am reviewing ESET Smart Security 4.0 is twofold: this program is simply excellent and worth every penny and because I’m giving away six fully licensed copies, in conjunction with ESET, in a competition that starts on Sunday, April 26, 2009.

In this review, I will explain the basic functionality of the software and show why I think it is such an excellent antivirus solution.

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