Windows 8/8.1 Start menu

Windows 8/8.1

Windows 8.1 released the "start button" again but all it does is go into the Modern UI but you can get around that again by installed a Start Menu replacer.

Two that I have used the most and seem to work the best are
1) Classicshell.net.  Constantly getting updated, on version 4.02 the last time I checked.  It just works wonderfully.
2) Stardock.com's Start8.  It's $5 or $8 with the Modern UI Window maker (forget the name, turns the full screen Modern UI Apps into Windows).  I recommend the Package deal because Modern UI Apps are pretty horrible because you can really do anything on your multitasking computer, it kind of defeats the purpose in my opinion.

Also if you are going from 8 to 8.1, you'll need to resetup the Classicshell by running the config or just redownloading and repairing the installation.  Pretty easy though.

Thanks

Google Wallet

If you have a Google Wallet account (go to wallet.google.com to sign up), you can order a physical card to link up to the account. It's a prepaid account so you fill it up and then use it.  Pretty cool. 

Internet Explorer 11

Internet Explorer 11 was released for Windows 7 mid Nov. I'm shocked by that because Microsoft said they weren't going to release it for Win7. Good for you Microsoft because you know Win7 is selling a lot better than the mess of Win8. 

Android Update Madness

Just read that Sony updated its Xperia L to Android 4.2 when Google released Android 4.4 about a month ago.  I mean really??? That just crazy that they are just getting to 4.2 when 4.4 is out.  This is why I dislike the Android environment, the devices aren't updated on a timely basis and if they do, it's updated to an old version, if they update the devices at all!  They basically just tell you to go buy a new device, because everyone has $200-$400 laying around to go buy a new device. 

Yes iOS isn't perfect or flashy but at least it just works and is updated and supported by Apple for at least 3 generations.  The Android handset makers just abandon devices like they are diseases and just say "here is the awesome new phone" instead of just supporting the old.  If you're going to buy an Android device, get a Google Nexus because Google will at least keep it updated and it won't have all that crapware on it that handset makers install that just slow down your system and collect a bunch of info on what you do. 

Google Accounts and QuickOffice and iOS Apple iWork suite

Google announced a couple of weeks ago that anyone with a Google account, Gmail or Google Apps account, can install QuickOffice for free so you can get to your Google Drive docs, edit them and all that along with being able to open up Word or Excel docs on your iOS or and Android devices.   Its a cool little program to be able to compete with Microsoft on the mobile device market.

On another note, Apple released its iWork suite for iOS devices for free. The apps are Numbers, Pages, and Keynote.

I applaud both of them on doing that because it's a pain not being able to open stuff up when you absolutely need to.  It makes the mobile computing world all the better.

Google and Internet Explorer 9 End of Service

I saw this the today, 11/5/13.  So all the more reason to use Firefox and Chrome on Windows 7 and XP. XP can only go up to IE8 and 7 will only go up to IE10 because Microsoft is really stupid by making people upgrade to get a new version of Internet Explorer.  

So just use Firefox or Chrome because they are web compliant and are innovating while IE is just trying to catch up to them. 

From Google:

"End of support for Internet Explorer 9. 

We would like to remind you of the Google Apps browser support policy, the set of guidelines for Google Apps services interoperability support. We support the latest version of Google Chrome (which automatically updates whenever it detects that a new version of the browser is available) as well as the current and prior major release of Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari on a rolling basis. Each time a new version of one of these browsers is released, we begin supporting the update and stop supporting the third-oldest version.

Google’s test plans have been adjusted to now stop all testing and engineering work related to Internet Explorer 9 (IE9), as Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) was released on 17 October 2013. End users who access Gmail and other Google Apps services from an unsupported browser will be notified within the next few weeks through an in-product notification message or an interstitial pages with information about modern browsers and how to upgrade to them."

Fake tech support

Got a call from a client and they got a call from "Microsoft Tech Support" indicating that their computer was hijacked.  He did the right thing and called me and I told him to hang up because it's a scam.  The tech support guy gave him a telephone number and everything and dared him to call it to check for validity. It's real easy to forward numbers so that's not a good check. 

Microsoft will NEVER call you because your computer got hijacked. They don't care and if they did, they would be bankrupt with all the viruses and spyware running rampant on all the windows machines throughout the years.  

So be smart and do not fall for their tricks.  They just want you to pay for stuff and hand over your credit card information.   Be careful on the Internet. 

Spyware

Everyone, please do me a favor and go to control panel, in XP add/remove programs or in vista/7/8, Programs and features. 

Look for Sendori or Conduit. These two sons of bitches are a huge source of spyware that is on your computers.  These two assholes download constantly other programs to steal data, annoy the hell out of you, install viruses and on top of whatever else they do. They are really considered legit programs because they are only downloading things, they are not the bad programs. 

So please look in add/remove programs or programs and features and remove them.  When they are gone then look for any type of toolbar program. UNINSTALL ALL TOOLBARS. They are a source of crape are too.  When you have all of that crap gone then proceed over to Malwarebytes.org and download the latest version of Malwarebytes. Do a full scan.   When it's done, click on SHOW RESULTS.   Then make sure you check all the check boxes (hint click on the first one, then arrow down and the space bar to select them fast).   Then click on REMOVE SELECTED. 

Run Malwarebtyes on a fairly regular basis to keep your computer clear of spyware. 

Install a good antivirus like AVG, Vipre, Trendmicro, Norton, McAfee, etc. 

If you need help with your small business I.T., give Fortify I.T. a call: 404.585.1015

Free Network Assessment

If you are in need of new I.T. group in the Metro Atlanta Area, please call or email, 404.585.1015 or support@fortifyit.biz.  We will come out and assess your network for free.

New Blog Page

Hello All

This is my new Blog page because my old one was setup with OOOOOOLD Google infrastructure so Google Apps people couldn't use any other Google apps so I had to use another email to sign in...etc. Blah, annoying and plus I haven't used the other blog (fortifyit.blogspot.com) in a looong time, since about 2011.  

Anyway, I will try and update this more with some pertinent information whenever I can.

If you need any computer or network help, please email Fortify I.T. at support@fortifyit.biz or call 404.585.1015!

Thanks