In defense of Anthem declining the OIG audit
Anthem recently refused to allow the Office of Personnel Management’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) to perform an audit of its networks. Coming on the heels of a large breach, there’s been a bit of...
View ArticleData breaches don’t cost anything–so here’s why they matter
What seems like a million years ago, when Sony Pictures got breached, some pundits were predicting that was the end of the company. I always thought that was hyperbole, but I have to admit I never went...
View ArticleMicro Center’s Inland ProHT 88037 USB powered speakers
Micro Center sells a pair of $5 USB-powered speakers. You’re either going to read the next sentence or you aren’t. Still with me? Great. Let’s talk about them. Pros: They cost $5. They plug into a USB...
View ArticleCuring random errors when installing Office 2013
I got lots of random errors installing Office 2013 when I went to do it, including error code 112-4 and error code 0-4, and some other install errors mostly ending in 4 that aren’t documented on...
View ArticleTaming Office 2013’s appearance
A couple of months ago I upgraded to Office 2013 at work. I liked it, but around the same time, my eyes started burning. I never made the connection, but then last week, when a coworker upgraded, he...
View ArticleWindows XP isn’t just a Navy problem
I’ve heard enough scoffing over the past few days over the Navy re-upping its contract for paid support for Windows XP to last a lifetime. But it’s not just a Navy problem, and it’s not necessarily as...
View ArticleApplication whitelisting on Windows, even home editions
One of the very best things security measures you can take is application whitelisting–limiting the apps that are allowed to run on your computer. The Australian Signals Directorate–the Australian...
View ArticleThe GCHQ’s new advice on handling passwords
CGHQ, the British equivalent of the NSA, offers a new document with a great deal of password advice in light of the things we’ve learned in the last few years. It’s worthwhile reading, whether you’re a...
View ArticleThe probable reason why early home computers were beige
Due to their tendency to yellow with age, there’s some occasional debate over what color early home computers really were, but, having spent about a decade working with them starting with when they...
View ArticleLenovo and Best Buy team up for a $149 laptop this year
Cheap laptops are nothing new this time of year–they’ve been practically a holiday tradition since 2002 when Sotec released a decent laptop for $900, which was jaw-droppingly low for the time–but this...
View ArticleSetting boundaries with difficult tenants
As a landlord, I’ve dealt with some difficult tenants, and I’ve noticed they all tend to use very similar tactics. Setting boundaries is a necessity to keep things under control, and in the end keep...
View ArticleHow I set up office hours in Google Voice
If you have a side business, you need to offer customer service, but it’s also perfectly reasonable to not want your phone to ring at 3 a.m. You can fix that if you set up office hours in Google Voice....
View ArticleAdvantages and disadvantages of Windows 3.0
I hear the question from time to time what the advantages and disadvantages of Windows 3.0 were. Windows 3.0, released in May 1990, is generally considered the first usable version of Windows. The...
View ArticleMy Sunday errand: Mountain lavender
Sunday morning, we ran out of detergent, so I ran out to get some. Good miser that I am, I bought the cheapest bottle I could find. It came in a purple bottle, and it was a brand I’d never heard of....
View ArticleCatch up on Microsoft patching fast
Last week, Microsoft quietly released its convenience update pack for Windows 7, 8.1., and Server 2008R2. This is a great opportunity to catch up on Microsoft patching, as it incorporates all of...
View ArticleWhat to look for in a monitor
Most buying guides for monitors assume you’re buying a really expensive monitor for gaming. But there’s a lot more to look for than refresh rate and response time. A good monitor can last 10 years and...
View ArticleUse thread sealing tape to keep screws and bolts from backing out
Frequently I have a problem with self-assemble furniture not holding together as well as I would like. The bolts back out over time the legs in our kitchen chairs get wobbly. Or a bolt from an office...
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