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| In The News: 11-28-2013 Microsoft Selling Anti-Google Merchandise Need the perfect gift for that Microsoft employee in your life? Or just for someone who really hates Google? The Microsoft Store is now selling " Scroogled" merchandise including mugs and T-shirts with sayings like, "Keep Calm While We Steal Your Data" alongside the Google logo. It's all part of Microsoft's Scroogled campaign which has criticized tech giant Google's privacy and search policies. #TheSelfie Promises To End Awkward Self-Portraits A new gadget called #TheSelfie promises to make self-portraits and group shots a whole lot easier. The device plugs into your phone via the headphone jack and works as a remote to let you click the virtual shutter on your iPhone camera app. With a 4.5 foot cable, you can get a fair distance between your self and the phone. The $20 device also works along with Instagram or Snapchat. Sprint Ranks Last In Service Survey According to a Consumer Reports cell phone service survey, Sprint scored dead last in a consumer satisfaction survey. They company scored dismal marks in value, reliability, voice and text messaging. Sprint is in the process of upgrading its network and believes that once the process is complete, customer satisfaction will reply. Verizon ranked as the top-rated carrier, while T-Mobile and AT&T got middling scores. ~ Cynthia Click here to rate this tip | Printer friendly version -- No Start Button? No Problem! Missing that Start Button in Window 8 or 8.1? What if I told you Windows 8.1 and 8 can find anything almost instantly and you don't even have to click a mouse? If you're on the Metro Screen, just start typing what you want to find. Looking for Word? Start typing Word. Want the Control Panel? Start typing Control. Your search charm will pop open with the results and you can just tap or click on the icon to go there. Want to find something on the web? Just start typing! Here I've typed WorldStart.com and I can get to the site with just one touch on the Internet Explorer icon. Give it a try! You'll like it. ~ Cynthia Click here to rate this tip | Printer friendly version
Paul from Cairns, Australia writes: Not so much a question as a comment. I read all the quick tips with interest and learn a lot from questions I would like to ask. In particular all the comments about the demise of XP. All the issues concerning it's demise (apart from Microsoft's financial ones) relate to security. My old XP computer is not hooked up the internet and never will be. I use it for word docs, spreadsheets and Photoshop etc and share an external hard drive with my Windows 7 computer if I need to up/download something. It is incredibly freeing not to have to worry about viruses or spyware etc and just get on with what I am doing. Actually, Paul that's a great idea. I think I've mentioned it in passing before in other articles, but never gotten into the idea in-depth. If you have another device for going online, there's no reason not to keep your XP computer in use off-line. Windows XP isn't going to stop working when Microsoft stops doing security updates. It wouldn't be difficult to use another computer, a tablet or even a smartphone for your e-mail and internet browsing. I would be cautious about putting new files on your XP computer. If you have a Windows 7 or 8 computer with up-to-date security, you can check files there first before moving them onto your XP computer. There is always the possibility that someone could come up with a new exploit for XP that might sneak past security updates for Windows 7 and 8. Creating and taking files off you XP computer is much safer than loading anything onto your XP computer. The idea that having an "unplugged" computer can pick up your productivity, is a valid one. In fact, there are several apps for writers that prevent you from accessing the Internet while in use. And an XP computer would certainly work fine for the tasks you've described. But anyone who makes the decision needs to stick with it. No using your XP computer to hop on the Internet for just a minute or two when no other connection is available. ~ Cynthia Click here to rate this tip | Printer friendly version -- Loretta from Charlotte, NC writes: Not a computer malfunction, but tried the few I know and still need help. I am 82 yr old woman and receiving on a daily basis the most vile, filthy emails you can imagine. They come with all different names and addresses (so I can block any) I don't want to open them for fear of getting even more. I tried writing to Spam@gov.,tried the FTC but they require the headers. Since AOL shows the first line of an email I know how vile they are. This has been going on for at least 4 months and think there should be "somewhere or someone" that I can contact to get it stopped. Do any of you have a clue? I am sickened with this harassment. Thank you Loretta, the good news is that these e-mails are almost certainly not directed at you personally. Most likely it is randomly generated spam or someone you know accidentally opened the wrong e-mail and that resulted in everyone on their contact list being bombarded with highly inappropriate spam. You first line of defense is AOL. Even if you are using an e-mail client like Outlook to download your messages, go to www.aol.com and select Read Mail. Make sure you mark these e-mails as spam, so AOL is informed. You don't need to open the e-mail to mark it, just put a check beside it and select SPAM at the top of your inbox. You'll want to make sure you have your Spam filter turned on in AOL. Click Options in the upper-right of your AOL inbox. It's just below your username. Choose Mail Settings from the drop-down menu. To the far left, select Spam Settings. You'll see options to set various levels of Spam Control. Your current level of Spam Filter will be displayed in green. Click the arrow beside it to change the level. If the Spam Filter is Off or set to Low, you may wish to change it to medium or high to help block those offensive e-mails. Just below that, you'll see your content filter options. If you select Block mail containing specific words and phrases, you can enter particular words or phrases. E-mails containing those words or phrases will be blocked from your account. Just type in the word and hit the + sign to add it to the list. Considering some of the messages you are receiving, it might not be a pleasant task, but might be worth the effort not to receive them. After you've made the changes, don't forget to select Save Settings. ~ Cynthia Click here to rate this tip | Printer friendly version Do you have a question for us? Ask it here!
Nothing' Says Christmas Like a Tree! Bring That Holiday Tradition to Your Computer Desk! We've Got a Christmas Tree With All The Works (And It Lights Up On Its Own!) It's a USB Powered LED Christmas Tree! That ALTERNATES BETWEEN 4 DIFFERENT COLORS! It's Green, Then Red, Then Blue and Purple - BEAUTIFUL! Get Yourself in the Christmas Mood This Holiday Season!
A Fully-Lit Christmas Tree... WITH NO EFFORT! Tired of spending DAYS setting up your Christmas tree? Then you go inside and have to set up the same old decorations year in and year out...gets old pretty fast, huh? Hey, it's the same plastic pine needles going down the stairway banister...ZZZZZ... How neat - that angel Christmas tree topper that you've had since 1981...SO BORING! Well...we've got something you've just GOTTA HAVE this holiday season! Ready to bring new life to your home? Want something awesome that combines classic Christmas sensibilities with today's technology? LOOK NO FURTHER! Move Over, Santa - This is the FUTURE of Christmas Decorations! Talk about a good lookin' decoration! The USB Light-up Christmas Tree is the perfect complement to your computer desk - and every time you look at them you'll smile! HELLO CHRISTMAS CHEER! You'll LOVE Watching the Colors Change! The PERFECT Size for Your Computer Desk! This is gonna look great sitting on your desk! It's about 4.5'' tall by 2.5'' wide - it's there, looking GREAT, without taking up too much room! These are PERFECT for at home and in the office! Of course, you'll need to be ready to answer the same question over and over again: "WOW - that's SO COOL! Where'd you get that?!" A GREAT way to add that festive Christmas touch during this holiday season! http://store.worldstart.com/product/2938
Is An eReader Right For You? It wasn't so long ago that e-readers like Amazon's Kindle and Barnes & Noble's original Nook were all the rage. Then tablets came along, starting with the first iPad in 2010, and most people forgot about e-readers as they embraced the new products. But is it possible that an e-reader might be a better choice for you than a tablet? Consider the following advantages they offer: Want more? Check out WorldStart! -- Catherine from Delaware writes "Is it difficult to hook up something like Hulu via computer to TV. I am a novice at 80 and was wondering if I could do it?" Hi, Catherine. Thanks for the great question. For those who don't know, Hulu is one of many great video on demand services including Netflix, and Amazon Video. Probably the easiest way to do this is to connect your computer to your TV. If you search our website's archives, you'll find lots of good articles on this, but this is the short version: if your computer has an HDMI output and you have a high-def TV, simply hook an HDMI cable from your computer to your TV and enjoy. If you have a laptop, make sure that your laptop is set so that the computer doesn't go to sleep when you close the lid. That way you can have your laptop closed so that you don't have your video running on two screens. If your computer doesn't have an HDMI output, there are some other ways. Click on WorldStart for the rest of this helpful tip! Desmond from the U.K. writes: Hi, my CPU usage keeps going up to 100 per cent, everything is at a standstill, nothing works. Any ideas? While new computers are constantly increasing their CPU speeds, there are always going to be times where there just isn't enough processing power or memory available to run multiple programs. When your computer's CPU usage jumps to 100%, it indicates some software utility (or combination of different programs) is causing a problem and using up all the processing power. Normally you can resolve this issue simply by restarting the operating system, but if the CPU usage is frequently stuck at 100%, you likely have a bigger problem. Go to WorldStart for more! -- Bill from LA. writes: Can you mix hard drives (SATA and IDE) one for the OS and the other for your backup if you have the proper connections? Or is it better to have two of the same kind in your desktop computer? Answer: For many years the standard for hard drives was IDE, which uses a P-ATA connector and ribbon cable to connect the hard drive. In 2003, the SATA standard was created, and by 2008 a vast majority of computer drives were connected by SATA instead of IDE. The SATA interface offers faster hard drive support, thinner easier-to-route cables and native hot-plug support. Your question on mixing and matching these styles of drives is a complex one... Click WorldStart for more on this tip! For stories, jokes, quotes and cartoons every day, sign up for our Just for Grins newsletter.
Gilles Vidal Photography This site offers truly breathtaking panoramas so I had to share it with you. When you arrive the first thing you'll notice is that the site is in French. You can either let your browser translate it (I use Google Chrome and it does it with a click of a button) or you can click English Version beneath the image on the right of the page. I think that the site is fairly easy to navigate even in French. I suggest that after you've translated the page you click on the third featured selection on the main page. This will open up in another window a panorama of Paris that was photographed from the sky at a height that is taller than the Eiffel Tower. It is amazing! That's how I actually found this site and originally I was just going to bring you that panoramic view but then I tried the link on its own and it won't load. It works every time from the main page though. If you go to the Panoramas section you'll find a whole lot more in the way of panoramas that will keep you busy for a while. I will say I wouldn't let kids browse the site alone as there is some nudity in the performance art panoramas. I think I've watched the panorama of the Paris sky ten times. You'll find navigation controls at the bottom of the panorama including a speaker button to turn off the music. Or you can use your mouse to drag around and explore the panorama. Go grab a cup of coffee or tea and sit back and enjoy the view of Paris from the comfort of your computer. ~Amanda Click here to rate this tip | Printer friendly version -- Writer's Almanac The Writer's Almanac is brought to you by Garrison Keillor and Public Radio. It offers up a daily dose of poetry with a dash of literary history thrown in! Navigation is sort of setup blogstyle, in that there's the most recent episode/entry featured on the main page and then you use the Next and Prev buttons to navigate through the older entries. At the top, right of the page you'll find more navigation options like the links to the Archive, Podcast, and Bookshelf. The Bookshelf is really cool it is a section devoted to interviews with authors! Right now the featured interview is with Mary Oliver, an author from my neck of the woods – Maple Heights, a suburb of Cleveland – and talks about her new book Dog Songs. At the end of the interview you'll find the credits for who the interviewer was. This a really cool site that has worked its way into my routine of sites I visit daily. So go check it out for yourself! http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org ~Amanda Click here to rate this tip | Printer friendly version Do you have a cool, non-commercial site that you want to share?Send it to Amanda at amanda@worldstart.com
Are You Making A Terrible Mistake With Your Earbuds? Do You REALLY Know What You're Missing? See, when it comes to earbuds, a LOT of people mistakenly think that all of 'em are pretty much created equal - and that's about as far away from the truth as you can get! I'm here to tell you that listening to your music with cheap earbuds is like listening to your music in a GARBAGE CAN - At least that's what you'll think of your old earbuds once you try these! Here's the problem - Since great earbuds tend to be expensive, most people have never treated their ears to a GREAT set of earbuds. They foolishly think, "Gee, how much better could they be?" BIG MISTAKE! So, they go through life only experiencing the el-cheapo earbuds, never knowing the extraordinary acoustic treat they're missing out on! And it's a shame really - once you try a great set of earbuds, you'll never torture your ears with the cheap ones. Well, I'm here to break the price barrier and make your ears happier than they ever been! We just got a SLAMMIN' deal on these AMAZING Scosche "thudBuds" earbuds! They retail for big bucks - but our price is gonna blow you away! Let me tell ya - once you pop these babies in your ears you'll never, ever, go back to the cheap earbuds! It's like the difference between black & white TV and HD TV! I kid you not - the first time I tried these I was FLOORED! I thought they'd sound a little better than my other earbuds but I was totally unprepared for the richness and clarity of sound I was hearing! Seriously - You'll wonder if you're dreaming when you pop these in - your music never sounded so good! Oh, just wait till you feel how comfortable these are! EASILY the most comfortable earbuds you'll ever experience! In fact, these ultra-high end earbuds come complete with 3 different sizes of ear cup for an "EXTREME COMFORT" perfect fit! Now that's thinking!  Oh - and wait till you see the cord! I know, I know, what could be so great about a cord? It's built durable to prevent damage or fraying and it's even specially designed to resist common tangles! Yeah, now we're talking! Look, you spent a FORTUNE on your portable music player, why not spring for some earbuds that will really and truly treat you ears to some serious audio bliss? And the price is amazing! Similar headphones retail for up to $69.99 and even the discounters can't touch us on this. Their deals:  Our deal: How about just $12.97 and US shipping is FREE! For that kind of money, it's officially OFF THE HOOK CRAZY not to grab yourself a set of these earbuds! You may never have a chance to get a set of this caliber for this price ever again! I'm loving' mine - and you're gonna love yours! http://store.worldstart.com/product/9209 PS - PLEASE note this is a limited quantity deal! Please - limit 3 sets of earbuds per order! And HEY - If you don't think they're 100% worth it, return within 60 days for a refund - nothing to lose!
November Wallpaper Is Ready! Wow - November already! Time to redecorate your desktop with some new wallpaper! All can be found here and are 100% free: http://www.backcountrygallery.com/wallpaper/ Oh, and if you enjoy these images, please tell your friends!
For these and other great selections of desktop wallpaper, head to: http://www.backcountrygallery.com/wallpaper/ As always, the wallpaper is 100% free, so enjoy! Photo Tips Did you get a chance to check out my new photo tips from last month? If not, head over to my YouTube channel and check 'em out: http://www.youtube.com/backcountrygallery
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| You can also view the current newsletter and archives online at Copyright, Disclaimer, Etc. ISSN: 1529-336X You are welcome to reproduce this newsletter (i.e. print it, store it) for your own personal use. You are also welcome to forward it, in its entirety, to friends and family. If you would like to reproduce this publication, or any part of it, in any other publication, be it web based or otherwise, you must contact us for permission. Any unauthorized re-distribution will be considered a copyright infringement and grounds for a lawsuit. Finally, you agree to try any advice contained or suggested in this newsletter at your own risk. Microsoft and Windows are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation (duh!) Did someone forward this to you? Get your free subscription here: If daily newsletters are too much to handle, then change your subscription to our Weekly Edition... If you need to change your email address, go here... "I don't want yer stinkin' email!" http://www.worldstart.com/subscriptions/ WorldStart, Inc. - 2620 Centennial Rd, Suite C / Toledo, OH 43617 - Phone: 1-800-915-2088 You are receiving this daily newsletter because you requested it either at Worldstart.com or one of our affiliates. | ||||||||
WorldStart Tech Tips 2013-11-29 
Oh look, there's that Santa statue...SNORE...
Plug one into your USB port with the included USB cable - AND GET READY TO BE AMAZED! The colors alternate between gorgeous shades of brilliant red, green, blue and purple colors! It's TOTALLY vivid, too! This baby is LED powered - and the colors are absolutely brilliant!
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