Thursday, February 25, 2010

CCleaner Updated to 2.29.111

CCleaner is my favorite utility, free or otherwise. The update released today promises faster load time, among other benefits. Faster is always better!

Here's a link to download the program, which is the only way to update it:
http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

If you missed my original comments about CCleaner, you can read them here:
http://cathycom.blogspot.com/2009/07/ccleaner.html

Here's a list of the changes in version 2.29.111:
- Improved speed when loading Cleaner screen.

- Improved Registry Cleaner speed when displaying issues.
- Improved Registry Cleaner performance when fixing issues.
- Changed Wipe MFT Free Space to run before Wipe Disk Free Space.
- Improved Include and Exclude screen when browsing for folders and files.
- Added Recursive support to Custom folders in Include screen.
- Added support to specify multiple file types for Custom folders in Include screen and INI files.
- Improved how Language Resource DLLs are loaded into memory.
- Improved application detection algorithm.
- Improved internal communication between process threads.
- Improved file scanning when scanning system folders.
- Improved Windows 7 and IE8 support.
- Minor GUI text changes.

Update and run CCleaner today - in all profiles!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

OpenOffice.org 3.2 Released

OpenOffice.org is a Microsoft Office look-a-like suite of applications that performs better than the original. (My blog - my opinion). It is an open source application that is freely available for use and distribution. Compatible with Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Access, there's no justifiable reason to purchase Microsoft Office in place of using OpenOffice.org for these applications. If you buy Office because you need Outlook, that's a different discussion.

Open Source: More information on open source software and its philosophy and definitions are widely available; here's a good article at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source

HOW TO UPDATE: If OpenOffice.org is already installed on your computer (if I've worked on it, it probably is), it can be updated by clicking Help - Check for updates, and following the prompts. If the update fails, as it may during peak downloads, you can download the full installer and and install it over the top of the current installation.

HOW TO DOWNLOAD NEW: Go here and follow the prompts: http://download.openoffice.org/index.html

NEW FEATURES IN 3.2:  Summary available here: http://www.openoffice.org/dev_docs/features/3.2/
To sum up the summary, the best New Feature would be the improved start-up time. Always a welcome improvement!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Flash and AIR, Avast Updates Feb. 12

New updates from Adobe for Flash player (both Internet Explorer and Firefox versions) and AIR are available this morning.

How To Update: If you see a message to update, click it and follow the prompts. Otherwise, you can update manually by going to www.adobe.com and clicking on Flash or AIR to install.

Flash updates to version 10.0.45.2
AIR updates to version 1.5.3.9130
To find the version you have installed, go to Control Panel - Programs (however you get there in your version of Windows). Click on Flash (or AIR) - More information.

Avast has also released a new version today (5.0.418), which should be installed when the daily update is installed, if you're already using Avast.

As always, if you have questions feel free to email, text or call!

Cathy Contant
315-573-4905
cathy@cathycom.com

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Update Tuesday - Install Latest Microsoft Updates Now

Microsoft releases necessary updates on the second Tuesday of the month. Your computer can be configured to update completely automatically, or to notify you before downloading or installing updates, or to not check updates at all. I like to know what's being updated, so I choose to be notified before downloading or installing updates.

If your computer updates itself automatically, you may not even notice. Possibly, you'll need to restart your computer and allow the updates to install and configure themselves. You'll see the message on the screen about not shutting off your computer - and it means it. Bad things come to computers that are powered off too soon during updates.

Even if your computer updates automatically, it's a good idea to go to the Microsoft Update web site occasionally to check for further updates. In Windows XP, an easy way to get there is to open Internet Explorer, then click Tools - Windows Update. Windows Vista and 7 users can check for updates by clicking on Start - Windows Update. Follow the prompts to install any new components necessary.  Then click the Custom button, and let Microsoft check to see which updates your computer is missing. Look under High Priority and Optional updates (on the left side of the window after list is shown), and check to install any you think you'll need.

Don't know what to check? Don't check it without further investigation.  In general, all High Priority updates should be installed as soon as possible.

Here's a link to the Microsoft Update site for information on this month's updates:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/updates/bulletins/201002.aspx

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Rogue Programs - Lavasoft's Information

Here's some good information about rogue programs - those popup windows that scare us into thinking we've just gotten a virus. There's also a nice collection of known rogue programs. Be sure to check out any program that pops up and insists you buy it!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

iTunes Updated Feb 1 - version 9.0.3

Do you use iTunes?  Here's how to get the update.

If you configured iTunes to check for updates automatically (default), you'll be prompted to download and install the update the next time you open iTunes.  Or, you can open the program, then click Help - Check for updates. Follow the prompts to finish the installation.

Here's a link to download the current version of iTunes, bundled with QuickTime. If you're using a 64-bit operating system, be sure you install the 64-bit version of iTunes.

http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/