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Welcome to Computer Tutor On Site
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Written by Your Computer Tutor
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Monday, 09 June 2008 |
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Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Randy Marsden, the President of Madentec based in Edmonton, Alberta. I like to think of his company as "Miracle Makers" because that is what he does, makes it possible for anyone to use a computer! It does not matter if you are blind even, his software can make it happen! Madentec has been helping Microsoft out with the on screen keyboard application since the release of Windows 98 system in 1998; but Randy started making intuitive "ability" software before that, for a friend whose life was drastically changed from a serious injury. Creating the software to enable him to use the computer gave him a way to continue being a productive part of the community, but also enabled him to continue being creative. To quote from my Welland Tribune Article, here are some highlights for you to enjoy: Unable To Use A Computer? But You Can! Secretly, you have always wanted to try using the computer. You have convinced yourself that you will never be able to use a computer, because of sight difficulties or carpal tunnel making it hard to type. Maybe you need to sit in a special chair that makes it too hard to work at the right level for the computer desk? Or how about a condition that makes your head move all the time? I say you CAN use a computer! I had the honour of speaking with Randy Marsden, President of Madentec, a Canadian Software Company based out of Edmonton. Randy decided to help a friend out that had a severe sport injury back in 1987, so that he could be creative and lead a functional life; so he started designing software to make the lives better for anyone with special challenges. Randy spoke of how special needs computer users are always left behind, when it comes to new Messengers and other computer updates; they are usually at least one version of applications behind everyone else, basically neglected because of their physical challenges. Now, they can be right up to date, since Madentec ensured that their software works well on Microsoft’s Vista Operating System. Madentec worked very closely with Microsoft for the Vista system to ensure compatibility; this will prevent the constant “breaking” of their programs in the past, with each Windows Update that was issued. This would leave all their clients stranded, unable to use their computers until a solution was developed by Madentec. Obviously, when you have so many challenges in your life, having your computer “broken again” can be quite devastating! The reason I wanted to tell you about Madentec is that they have very well designed programs that fit all issues out there. You need to know about them; if not today, then maybe tomorrow. If not for you, maybe your uncle or sister or neighbour needs Madentec’s software. In actual fact, many people can and do use their software everyday. Graphic designers use the magnification to do intricate designs. Fathers in wheelchairs use the software to play computer games with their children, since they can not “bond” by going out to play ball. People that can not see well use the voice over application to have the screen read to them.Carpal Tunnel, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Injuries, Cerebral Palsy, Learning Disabilities, Blindness, Head Injuries, Limited Fine Motor Skills are some of the things that Madentec can help with. You can purchase software directly from Madentec, but usually you are set up and given help to use the software through Physiotherapists, speech therapists or other organisations and Insurance Companies. I was deeply impressed by the ease to use their programs and how well they assist in setup. I can only commend Mr. Marsden on his wonderful designs and how well thought out his software and equipment is! Why not check out his software at www.Madentec.com, watch one of the tutorial videos available to see what it can do. Elliot from Microsoft Canada speaks very highly of Madentec’s devotion to making the very best software for challenged PC users. He listed Vista’s built in aids: sticky keys, filter keys, voice over, magnifier, speech recognition, on screen keyboard and high contrast. Without companies like Madentec, people with disabilities would have a much harder time using a computer. The fact that Madentec is a Canadian company is icing on the cake. Have you ever considered starting your computer, running applications and making wonderful art creations all without using your hands? Boggles the mind, doesn’t it? People do it every day!Happy Computering! |
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Written by admin
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Thursday, 15 May 2008 |
Downloader-UA.h Trojan is in the News...Since it's discovery in May/08, Trojan "Downloader-UA.h" has been wreaking havoc with computer user when they download "free" music and video files from the most common sites, such as KaaZa or LimeWire. Here is a quote from my most recent Welland Tribune article to give you more details:The first important point about the Trojan “Downloader-UA.h”, is that you “catch it” by using File Sharing programs such as KaaZa and LimeWire. The Trojan hides in fake music/video files and is associated with fastmp3player.com. This is a multi-step Trojan, that is capable of doing much more than it does to date; but it leaves the doors wide open for the Trojan owners to come and go as they please to send more danger at a later date!Here is a list of the steps to “catch” the Trojan:1- You use LimeWire or KaaZa to find and download free MP3 music files OR free Video files. Unknowingly you are also downloading the Trojan files inside…2- When you attempt to play the music files, you are told to download the “PLAY_MP3.exe” required to listen/view the previous files…all sounds legit, right?3- After you download and run the PLAY_MP3 file, you are presented with a license agreement (EULA), which installs an ad-supported application.4- Now you are bombarded by pop-up ads and programs that promise to stop pop-ups and also pop-under Adware programs and don’t know how to get rid of them…5- Depending on the file sharing site that you happen to have the misfortune to use, you could be presented with needing a “Codec” to view the Movie files.6- After downloading and running the Codec file, you find out you truly downloaded a whole mass of “Downloader type” Executable files. 7- If the infected computer does not have Firefox installed, you may receive an error message stating: “REGXPCOM.EXE –UNABLE TO LOCATE COMPONENT this application failed to start because nspr4.dll did not start. Reinstalling the application may fix this problem.”When you download the Codec version, you end up with all kinds of things going wrong with your computer and more damaging than just pop-ups! Some will prevent you from using your Task Manager and command line tools to stop them. Others make your Internet Explorer start crashing and your whole computer system start failing… Enigmax from Torrentfreak.com site blog gives a reason why this type of Trojan can hit a file sharing program….you share a file with the world and they share theirs. Unless the site cleans out the bad files, they will never get rid of the Trojans… And the final tip of the day is: TURN OFF System Restore before cleaning out this Trojan; it will hide in the Restore Point and the anti-virus program will not be able to remove it from your computer. For more help, give me a call if you end up catching this bug @ 905-701-7663. |
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Written by Your Tutor
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Monday, 14 April 2008 |
Microsoft's April Windows Updates...any issues?Did you have any troubles start after the latest Windows updates for April? What Operating System are you using? Send me a line if you have had issues, I would love to hear about it and if you have been able to solve it... With my previously troubled Vista computer, I had to roll back in time to before the last updates to get it to function again. I have lost drivers with this update, but try as I might, I can not find out WHAT driver I lost...All is quiet in the System Hardware Dialog, nothing is uninstalled or has any issues...How do you fix an issue that is unknown? I have an inkling it may be the motherboard itself that is not longer installed, since my mouse quit working and my keyboard is sporadically malfunctioning as well...they worked fine before the updates and even attempting to use a different connection type of mouse did not solve the issue...
Green, Green Everywhere! Are you going Green?I receive a LOT of newsletters from various Tech Sites and Online Magazines for Business and IT; the purpose is to keep up to date of the "latest and greatest" so I can pass the information along to you. Lately, there has been a LOT of digital "ink space" used for the topic of "Going Green" with IT and Servers and the Business front. At first I did not consider speaking on this topic to you, simply since you do not read my columns with a business viewpoint...I write to the average at home user. But I suddenly decided I WOULD cover this subject, because I get asked a LOT: Do I think leaving the computer on all day and night does it harm? Or should they turn the computer off? My answer is: yes, turn the computer AND the modem AND the monitor AND the printer (and anything ELSE you leave on) off! Each and every day someone leaves the whole unit going, the connections going, the television going, the VCR/DVD player on. They run the coffemaker for hours at a time, which I was told by an Electrician is one of the biggest "hydro hogs" for small appliances going. How many leave their outside lights or basement lights going 24/7? When you start adding up the fish tank pump and light, the spare bulbs running all the time, the sensor items that use some hydro, the instant on items and a computer set or two or three, we are wasting a lot of electricity! If you do it, the neighbour does it, the apartment building of 50 units is doing it and two houses over is doing it...how much money is given to the Hydro Company that was not necessary? I am not a big spokesperson for electrical waste, anymore that for water, gasoline, food, etc; but I WAS raised in Wainfleet on a farm and we ALWAYS were told to NEVER leave a light on if you were leaving the room. It is a "rule" that I have carried to this day with my present family. Why not make the same rule apply in your house? Is not $12 a month in savings worth keeping in your pocket? That is how much I saved by removing the fish tank pump/light, 3 light bulbs that were left on frequently and a small television that was set to turn on itself and it would stay running for hours! When it comes to the actual power consumption of each item, this is when buying a new item can prove to be a better choice. If you have an old monitor that is huge, consider getting a thin LCD type to save a lot of hydro usage. If you do not leave your computer running a lot, then an older small monitor will not waste too much and you can keep it. It is like the Hydro Company giving offers to pick up your OLD fridge for FREE to cut the waste. Walk around your house, take note of all the items that are wasting hydro and things that get left on or have sensors or instant on types. What can you do to help stop the waste of energy? Finally, you have to also consider the ever shortening of the equipment's "life span"; when ever you leave the item on for no purpose, it gets ever closer to breaking down, correct? So this also has to be considered when deciding to leave a computer and monitor running...every minute that passes is one minute less time to actually USE the computer. Green, green, green! I am green, are you?
MSN Messenger "Blocking" TricksMore and more I see MSN Messenger being used by Viruses to get your contacts and send them a trick message. I am not sure the purpose of this, other than your contacts WILL receive and "offline message" from YOU, stating that "YOU recommend them to check out the site to find out who is blocking you", and there will be a link to a site. If the person clicks on that link, thinking the message IS originating from YOU and as it IS you that is suggesting it, they click it and find that people that are their friends are supposedly blocking them. What brought this to my attention was my daughter was send a lead that way, she clicked through and it said that I WAS blocking her. But I was not. She found it confusing until she read the message closer and more than once. It then becomes apparent that it is simply a spam or virus that is sending the message out to anyone on your contact list. I did receive one from her, after she had clicked through the link and another friend also received one. She had clicked through as well, so I ended up getting another one from her. It is all a trick from this site, to get traffic coming to them. They do NOT know who you are blocking or whom is blocking you. They just post someone on your list as blocking you out. When you actually contact the supposed blocker and ASK them if they are, they will tell you they are not blocking you. The ONLY place to BLOCK or UNBLOCK your Messsenger contacts is on your own Contact List Settings. So dont be fooled, dont click through! Keep in mind my other rule, if you receive a notice from a friend that says they want to send you a file or they suggest a site, ask them FIRST if they sent it. They will NOT be offended by your asking! All of us want to keep our computers safe, if you are safe, your friend will be safer as well since they are on your lists, correct? :) Happy Computering! Your Tutor, Sandra |
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