Kilo Seven

Do you have one of these wifi routers, adapters, or devices? If so, it's open as a barn door to hackers; your PCs, smartphones, and other devices are hackable, as are your bank and web accounts. If your ISP provided one of them, insist they replace it with one not on this list ! Why? Read https://www.zdnet.com/article/realtek-hardware-bugs-expose-dozens-of-brands-to-supply-chain-cyber-attack/ A-Link Europe Ltd: A-Link WNAP WNAP(b) ARRIS Group, Inc: VAP4402_CALA Airlive Corp.: WN-250R, WN-350R Abocom System Inc: Wireless Routerd AIgital: Wifi Range Extenders Amped Wireless: AP20000G Askey: AP5100W ASUSTek Computer: RT-Nxx models, WL330-NUL; Wireless WPS Routers RT-N10E, RT-N10LX, RT-N12E, RT-N12LX BEST ONE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.: AP-BNC-800 Beeline: Smart Box v1 Belkin: F9K1015; AC1200DB Wireless Router F9K1113 v4 and F9K1123; AC750 Wireless Router F9K1116; N300WRX, N600DB Buffalo: WEX-1166DHP2, WEX-1166DHPS, WEX-300HPS, WEX-733DHPS, WMR-433, WSR-1166DHP3, WSR-1166DHP...

Mostly free, only two chapters paywalled: THE PREMONITION, A Pandemic Story It's important for you to read this book. Really important. Every chapter has multiple amazing insights like... 'when you closed schools and put social distance between kids, the flu-like disease fell off a cliff. (The model defined “social distance” not as zero contact but as a 60 percent reduction in kids’ social interaction.) “I said, ‘Holy shit!’ ” said Carter. “Nothing big happens until you close the schools. It’s not like anything else. It’s like a phase change. It’s nonlinear. It’s like when water temperature goes from thirty-three to thirty-two. When it goes from thirty-four to thirty-three, it’s no big deal; one degree colder and it turns to ice.”'... “I couldn’t design a system better for transmitting disease than our school system,” he said after his visit. “There is nowhere, anywhere, as socially dense as school classrooms, school hallways, school buses... " - “They reall...

I was led to a post of someone who set up the worst possible case for arming teachers .  Fortunately, there are commonsense alternatives. In the FEMA course on defending v. Active Cowards I took in Oregon's oldest synagogue ( NEVER AGAIN! ) I was taught to Lock the door between me and the Coward If the place I am at does not care enough to have solid core doors, barricade the doorway, and get out of sight Only after 1) and 2) do I try any active defense. 1. can be accomplished absolutely with a bent or welded piece of lightweight aluminum made in shop class as an exercise by high school students, notched to drop over the door handle on the inside so the Coward cannot see it is in place. If there's no shop class, well, it can be bought commercially: The Device # 2 , if installed 34" to 48" over the floor, would comply with fire code, so teachers in a wheelchair could easily use it (and, no, I have no connection to the manufacturer). Door blocks are also...

Tired of your cable bill? 500 channels, and nothing you want to watch?  When my  $80/mo.  cable TV obligation ended, I had it turned off.  Internet costs $45/mo. from my phone company, is easily 12x faster at downloading and definitely more reliable. I could even do without that and use my phone as a WiFi hotspot, if need be. Here's my solution's details: 1. Call your cable TV provider and find when your contract is up, and put that date in your calendar.google.com or other calendar system. 2. Where to put the antenna? Find where your TV stations are . Then, look at your windows, and see which window is best to use. You want the window that's closest to a right-angle line, or perpendicular to, the line between you and the TV station. 3. Today, make an antenna. Measure the distance from your TV to a window, measuring from the TV to the ceiling then along the wall to the window, and add 10' in case you need to move the TV. Buy, or scroung...

The links below show me I am not alone in never getting a response from the 'customer service' department of Affinity.  The original phone number and website in the original manual were disconnected! I had to web search to find their new site, not that has done me any good. Have been trying to speak to someone there for over a month, numerous emails and phone messages have been ignored. Think twice about buying anything from Woot! (as they sell no-support junk equipment), and definitely never, never, buy anything from Affinity! http://www.woot.com/forums/viewpost.aspx?postid=5605756 http://www.woot.com/forums/viewpost.aspx?postid=5607984 http://www.woot.com/forums/viewpost.aspx?postid=5650803 http://www.woot.com/forums/viewpost.aspx?postid=5618953 http://www.woot.com/forums/viewpost.aspx?postid=5625184 http://www.woot.com/forums/viewpost.aspx?postid=5650803 http://www.woot.com/forums/viewpost.aspx?postid=6133547

Converting PayPal to Gift Cards lets you monetize the PayPal balance, even if your merchant of choice does not accept PayPal:  http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/pay-paypal-balance-sites-dont-accept/ Need to find your Win8 Product Key? Look no further:  http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/four-places-find-windows-8-product-key/ Niftier icons for Linux can be freely downloaded using the tips at http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/9-beautiful-alternatives-default-linux-icons/

Updated 22 April 2014 with new items 9-11, enhanced item 1. On April 8, 2014, Microsoft issued  their last update to Windows XP . They will update the Microsoft Security Essentials anti-virus for another year, but a) traditional viruses are no longer the majority of security and malware problems, and b) Microsoft has been explicit that Microsoft Security Essentials was a minimal anti-virus system, anyway, and formally recommends getting a better anti-virus . I do recommend migrating to Win7 or Win 8.1 Upgrade 1 if your finances and hardware will permit. A free utility from Microsoft downloadable from  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/xp/transfer-your-data.aspx  makes it easy to move your data to the new Windows, and  http://www.laplink.com/  (not free, around $80) does that  and  lets you move compatible Windows XP programs, as well as data.  But, what to do, especially if your system is not powerful enough to run Windows 7 or Windows...

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2048120/benchmarks-dont-lie-ssd-upgrades-deliver-huge-performance-gains.html

http://qz.com/120748/these-airlines-offer-more-legroom-for-free-on-domestic-us-flights/

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2042552/review-libreoffice-4-liberates-you-from-microsoft-office.html http://www.libreoffice.org/  

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/european-technology/ok-so-stick-with-windows-xp-but-how-big-a-risk-do-you-run/1627  explains the risks of staying with XP when, a year from now. Microsoft stops support it with security fixes. 

http://www.flashdrive-repair.com   seems to have some useful stuff.

So Google announced the impending death of Google Reader . What else will they jettison to shave another tenth of a percent of profit? Now is the time to find a replacement for every Google based service (including this one) because they're loyal to the dollar, not to the customer.

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/11/ff-mat-honan-password-hacker/all/ is a very scary story in hacking.

http://www.techno360.in/speed-up-your-pc-with-oo-clevercache-7-pro-for-free/

If the system won’t start, you can still view log files. However, this depends on the type of installation and how far the installation got. If it was a clean installation, you should boot to the Windows 7 DVD; select Repair your computer, then access the System Recovery Options menu, and select the Command Prompt. If it was an upgrade that didn’t get far, and if Windows Vista/XP/2000 was previously installed on an NTFS drive, you can boot to the System Recovery Options in Vista, or the Recovery Console from a Windows XP or 2000 CD and view the log files from there.  If you cannot start the clean installation or upgrade, check the following:   • Processor speed and memory size: Verify that your computer meets the minimum requirements for Windows 7.  Make sure you are installing the correct type (32-bit or 64-bit) and version of Windows 7.   • Windows type and version: Make sure you are installing the correct type (32-bit or 64-bit) and version of Windows...

When you complete the clean installation or upgrade, verify that your installation has gone smoothly by testing it. For example, attempt to navigate through Windows, access administrative functions, connect to the Internet, and so on.  If you have confirmed that Windows is working normally, update the system. Install the latest service pack and additional updates as necessary. It is possible that the service pack was included on your installation media, but if not, download it and install it before going any further. Then, download any other updates that are necessary utilizing the Windows Update feature. Installations usually go smoothly, but not always. If an installation fails for any reason, or if the installation completed but Windows doesn’t seem to be behaving properly, consider reviewing the log files to find out more about the problem and why it occurred. The following table refers to variable directory called %WINDIR%. By default, the name of this fo...

By far the most reliable Windows 7 OS is the one installed 'clean', not an update from a previous version of Windows. Differences between versions of Registry entries and DLLs can make an upgraded version less stable. You will lose your installed apps, but you can reinstall from the original source where you got the app, right? Now that you have decided on the version of Win7 to use and have verified compatibility of hardware, it’s time to install. The Windows 7 installation is more simple than earlier versions of Windows.  Here we cover the steps involved in a “clean” local installation of Win7. Keep in mind that this type of installation will remove any data currently stored on the computer’s hard drive. The following steps detail an installation of Windows 7 Ultimate.   Step 1. Begin the installation from the DVD-ROM. There are two methods to perform a clean install of Windows 7 from DVD:   • Install Windows 7 by running the Setup program fro...

Do you need to install Win7 on a Vista PC? Then, you _can_ update, which in theory will preserve your installed appps; but, it's not guaranteed, and it's far better to do a clean install of WIn7 anyway, as clean installs result in more reliable PCs. That being said, upgrades are done in essentially the same manner as clean installs. The difference is that all the settings, applications, and user files will ultimately be kept in place if the upgrade is successful. It is recommended that those files and settings are backed up previous to the upgrade. However, before starting the upgrade, you should first check to see if your computer (and operating system) is compatible and if it will survive the process. You can also use the following utilities and websites to do this: • Windows Upgrade Advisor: This is a website that is accessed by clicking on the Check compatibility online button when you first insert the Windows 7 DVD. Of course, the computer that you want to upgrade need...

You can install Win7 from DVD-ROM, from a network, from a USB flash memory drive, from a recovery disc or partition or by restoring a clone image. Local DVD-ROM: Load the Win7 DVD into your computer's optical drive, boot from it and answer the questions as presented.  Network install: Install once connected to a network using Windows Deployment Services or Remote Installation Services. Unattend.xml allows unattended installs if you preprogram that XML file for your installation. Disk image: Apply an entire disc image from external media using apps like Acronis True Image, Norton Ghost or other apps . C:\Windows\System32\Sysprep should be run after applying a clone to alter the Security Identifier (SID) so every PC on a network is unique; if DHCP is not used for automated IP assignment, also change the IP address manually before attaching the PC to your network. Recovery disc or partition: These contain an image of Windows as if it was installed at the fact...

Windows 7 includes the Starter version (which limits how many apps can run at once) as well as Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise. Here's a partial reference to versions and features: Features Starter Home Premium Professional Ultimate   Win XP Mode no no Y Y   Domain Join no no Y Y   Backup to LAN no no Y Y   Bitlocker Encryption no no no Y * The formal minimum requirements for Windows 7 (which is never  enough speed to keep any user happy)  are: Component Requirement Processor 1 GHz Memory 1 GB (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit) Disk space free 16GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit) Video DirectX 9 w/ WDDM 1.0 or better driver Optical drive DVD-ROM The Windows Compatibility Center   allows you to check your Windows PC, as does the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit , or running {Wi...

The old Aretha Franklin song said it best: “R-E-S-P-E-C-T.” Whether it’s the device you’re servicing (laptop or desktop PC, PDA, printer, monitor, or other peripheral), or the telephone, respect it. Here’s how: • Don’t use customer equipment for personal tasks. Make personal phone calls with your own phone (you do have a cell phone, don’t you?). • Don’t go poking around their hard disk or PDA folders unless it’s necessary to solve the problem. • Don’t “test” the printer by printing personal  information. Use your own printer to print your resume or a pinup of your favorite movie star, sports figure, or car.   • If you need to reset the resolution on the display for testing, change it back when you’re done. Ditto with any other changes necessary for troubleshooting.   •  Don’t make the customers sorry they called you or your company for help.  Customers who become ex-customers have a way of helping potential customers call somebody else...

Passing the A+ Certification exams isn’t an end in itself—it is designed to help start (or advance) your Information Technology (IT) career. In most IT careers, how you deal with customers, whether they’re people you see day after day in your company or clients you might see only once or twice, can have as much of an impact on your career progress as your knowledge of hardware, software, firmware, and operating systems. The following sections will help you master the “soft skills” you need to move up in the computing world. How to Talk to Customers   According to pop-culture references like the Dilbert comic strip and innumerable others, computer techs are incapable of relating to “normal” people in either social or professional situations. Unfortunately, these comic stereotypes are based on a lot of real-world data. Here’s how to reverse the stereotype, one customer interaction at a time: • No matter how difficult the problem, maintain a positive attitude ...

Vacuum cleaners are great for cleaning homes and offices, but typical models use plastic parts that can build up harmful static electricity. So, instead of using an ordinary office or home vacuum cleaner to clean a computer, purchase a model especially suited for computer use.  Computer-compatible vacuum cleaners have features such as • Small-sized tips and brushes perfect for cleaning keyboards and working around motherboards and add-on cards • Antistatic construction • Hand-held with an adjustable neck for easy use inside a system Tip Use a vacuum cleaner as an alternative to compressed air whenever possible, especially when working at the client’s site because it’s neater—there’s no flying gunk that can land  in awkward places.

Some of these items clean computers and peripherals to help prevent failures and keep systems in top condition. Other items can be used as spares for replacement testing or to replace missing components.   •  Compressed air—  Cleans gunk out of cases, fans, and power supplies •  Keyboard key puller—  Safely removes keys to allow effective keyboard cleaning •  Computer-rated mini-vacuum cleaner—  Cleans gunk out of cases, fans, power supplies, and keyboards and dust off motherboards and add-on cards •  Wire cutter and stripper—  Used to build network cable •  Extra case, card, and drive screws (salvage or new)—  Used as spares to replace missing or defective screws •  Extra card slot covers (salvage or new)—  Used to replace missing covers to maintain proper system cooling •  Extra hard disk and motherboard/card jumper blocks (salvage or new)—  Used to replace missing or defective jum...

Troubleshooting best methods expect you to know the use of basic diagnostic devices, so a review of this section will be useful before your A+ exam. The following list of items also provides you with a handy reference for what you should bring on service calls. Hardware Diagnostics Hardware diagnostics tools can help you determine what components inside of a bootable system are not working correctly. Testing software used as part of the diagnostic process can also be used to perform burn-in tests on new hardware to help find problems before systems are put into service.Some typical products include a blank CD-R and DVD-R, bootable antivirus disc, blank floppy, POST card for PCI slots, and diagnostic/testing software such as QuickTech Pro and its loopback plug set which link transmit to receive lines for diagnostics..  Also, acquire testing software such as Burnin Test Professional  ( www.passmark.com ), CheckIt Professional Edition ( www.smithmicro.com ), AMIDi...