Windows 7 32 bit vs 64 bit

A client recently bought a computer off the shelf loaded with a Windows 7 64 bit OS. Why? That’s the way it came. Later he asked us if that was the right decision.

We are in a transition period from 32 bit to 64 bit systems. As with any transition there are disadvantages for the early adopters of the newer technology.

The main disadvantage of 32 bit systems is the limitation on RAM. 32 bit computers are limited to using 4 GB of physical RAM with 3 to 3.4 GB available. It sounds like a lot of RAM, and it is, unless you are working with large files as in video editing or major scientific work. Heck, watching a DVD on your computer can have a 4 GB file.

The advantage of 32 bit is that it’s accepted technology – everything works. Read more.
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How To Download YouTube Videos

How do I download YouTube videos? That’s a question we get quite often, so I created a quick video tutorial showing how to download YouTube videos.

There are two steps: downloading the video and downloading a player onto your computer that can watch the videos, which are Flash videos with an.flv file extension.

Related links:

Firefox web browser
NetVideoHunter addon
VideoLAN player (most audio and video files)
Wimpy Player (.flv and .swf)

If you don’t want to use a Firefox addon there’s a video download toolbar that works in both Internet Explorer and Firefox. Just follow the directions on the page, but it only works on .flv files, not other types of video..
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The Video Streaming Format War Heats Up

Apple’s recently released iPad has brought video streaming formats to the forefront. Why? Because it doesn’t recognize Flash.

It wasn’t that big a deal when the iPhone shunned Flash, but when the iPad, suitable for Internet browsing, didn’t include Flash it meant that its users would have a limited view of the web.

NOTE: YouTube uses Flash video. Apple added an app that allows YouTube videos.

First, a little background on video streaming. True video streaming requires server software that handles the stream. It monitors the connection speed between the server and the viewer and matches the download speed to the connection speed.

Most web video uses progressive download. That’s where a portion of the video is downloaded and the rest downloads as it’s being viewed. The initial wait time (buffer) and streaming rate are built into the video.

The advantage of progressive downloads are its simplicity and ability to run from any web site. The disadvantage is people with slow connections having to wait during viewing for the video download to catch up and people with fast connections not receiving the optimal experience.

The Video Streaming Battle Begins…

Read more.
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Using Your Browser To Save Passwords Is Not Secure

Using the autocomplete function in Internet Explorer to save user names and passwords or having Firefox remember passwords for sites is not a secure method of storing passwords.

I was recently checking out a handy little utility program called System Information for Windows when I clicked on an icon called ‘Secrets’ and BAM! there were all of my user names and passwords that were stored in my Firefox browser.

Eeek! I did a little research and found free utilities that can access your Firefox and Internet Explorer saved passwords – a potential security hole a mile wide. The video below shows the problem and what to do about it.

Get the Flash Player to see this content.

The solution for Firefox passwords can be adding a master password that you enter each time Firefox starts and you go to a page that needs your user name and password. It stays in effect until you close Firefox.

There’s no remedy for Internet Explorer other than to disable autocomplete. While the passwords are encrypted, all you need is to be logged into your Windows profile to access the passwords.

The video also shows how to turn autocomplete on and turn autocomplete off in IE and to clear your autocomplete file.

One solution discussed is RoboForm. It cost $29.95 but may be worth it. It sits in your browsers and stores encrypted passwords, name, address, etc. for use as needed.

If anyone out there has another solution please comment below..
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Think Your USB Drive Is Encrypted? Not So Fast

We always recommend that our clients use secure measures for their data, including encrypting data on USB Flash drives. That way, if they get lost or stolen, no harm done, right?

Not anymore. Certain Kingston, SanDisk and Verbatim drives using AES-256 encryption are no longer safe, and the reason is so stupid as to be unbelievable.

Here’s how it works. You enter your password, a signal is sent to the encryption program which then encrypts or decrypts the file(s).

The problem is, no matter what your password is, if it’s valid the same signal is sent to the encryption/decryption process. All three manufacturers have USB drives with the same problem! Read more.
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A Rolltop Laptop

With the new technologies coming online such as OLED flexible screens, designers are putting that technology to use in some strange and wonderful ways.

I haven’t been able to get any information on the Rolltop laptop like a production date, etc. but it provides food for thought.

It’s like the Amazon Kindle book reader. All it does is let you read books. Where’s the portable tablet that will let you read books, watch movies and listen to MP3’s through an online subscription?

Steve Jobs, we need you. On second thought, if Apple came out with one it would be very expensive and you would have to send it in every year to replace the battery..
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Is Google Chrome OS Right For Small Business?

Google Chrome OS is not right for everyone, nor is it right for every computer. What Chrome OS does is put the “net” in netbooks.

These are small, lightweight computers (I wouldn’t even call them laptops) for use on the road or for quick access to the Internet. The operating system is really an advanced web browser.

The advantages are faster boot and load times and less computer power (read battery power) to operate.

The disadvantage is everything is done on the web. No programs or files are stored on the computer.

Now, a cynical person might think that Google is leading everyone into cloud computing, especially Google Apps. But the trend is probably headed in that direction anyway.

Google Chrome OS is set to release an early ‘bare-bones’ version of the OS. I don’t recommend getting in too early. They will be continually updating the OS until it has reasonable functionality over the next year.

But, for planning purposes, small businesses need to see whether they can integrated it into their IT structure.

If your business uses Microsoft Office or other computer based software to do most or your work (Outlook sharing, Word documents, etc.) then you may want to stay with something like Windows 7 Starter edition to integrate with the other office applications.

If your business is moving into the cloud for most of its applications then Google Chrome OS may be worth a look for your road warriors.

Further Reading:

Google’s Chrome OS: Will you give up desktop apps?

Chrome OS will give Microsoft a run for their money

Is imminent Chrome OS launch reckless?

Small Business and the Cloud

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2 “Must Haves” For Your Business Computer

If you are running a home office or small business, your computer is no longer just a toy – it’s a vital part of your business. What happens to your business if your computer is down for a week or, worse yet, all your business data is lost forever?

There are two things you must have on a business computer… an Internet security suite and a data backup system.

A security suite contains, at its core, a software firewall, antivirus and anti-spyware. There will be add-ons like Identity Theft protection, spam protection and parental control, but the main things you NEED are the first three. Read more.
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