The same effect can happen when plugging into or un-docking your laptop from a docking station.  Especially if you have a two monitor setup.

You then need to spend a few minutes re-configuring your desktop.  After doing it many times, you begin to wonder if there is a better way.  THERE IS!

While there are a number of these little utilities out there, I recently discovered my new favorite.  It is FREE.  It is low maintenance.  It is easy to use.  It takes up little (or no)  memory, depending on how you choose to use it.

It’s called Desktop OK and you can get it here.

Fraudulent eMail

Nasty eMail purports to be from BEST BUY and informs you that your credit card has been charged for a renewal of an Anti-Spyware Subscription.

DO NOT FALL FOR IT!

This little PITA somehow made it through my filters and showed up in my INBOX this morning.   It uses the same e-mail address I use for Facebook.   So, I’d advise all of you with Facebook accounts and my Facebook friends to set your CURRENT Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware to do a full scan of your PCs.

As I wondered how this e-mail address could have been captured, I began to think of the online games I have played at Facebook.  I cannot help but wonder which one of those companies had a security leak.  Or, maybe it was the guy I cleaned out at the Texas HoldEm tables last night.  POOF!  His nearly $800K gone in a flash when he tried to bluff his way into a $200K pot by going all in when I was holding pocket Aces and there was a pair of 8s and a pair of 9s showing.  Oh well.  I’ve been on the other side of that unlucky position more often than I care to remember.

But, back to business:  If you see an eMail like this – just DELETE IT and run a full scan of your PCs just to be safe. ALWAYS review your Anti-Virus software on a weekly basis.  Don’t just assume it is working.  Open up your Anbti-Virus Software’s Control Panel and have a look at the date of you Anti-Virus files.  They should be within the last week.  Often, within the last day or two.

Find out how to read the logs that your Anti-Virus software produces and have a look at them weekly as well. See how many problems have been caught and fixed.

While many of the privacy issues originating from the web-based access to SNSs also apply to mobile social networks, there are also a number of unique risks and threats against mobile social networks. The report aims to provide a set of recommendations for raising the awareness of social networks users and in particular of social mobile users of the risks and the possible consequences related to their improper use.

I recommend all my clients and friends download and skim through this report. Get it by clicking the link below:

http://stevemaziarz.com/blog/snreport

Check Your Anti-Virus Software Now

All of them have had varying degrees of anti-virus protection, but it didn’t catch this nasty germ.  In a couple cases, it could have been because their subscription to the update service expired.  In one case, it was because their Anti-Virus protection was turned off.

Virtually every anti-virus software that I know of places a small icon in the lower right corner of your screen (in a typical Windows environment) next to the place where the time and date are displayed.  FIND YOURS.

1. Open up the Control Panel for your particular Anti-Virus solution.
   You can generally open up the control panel for your anti-virus solution by double-clicking that icon.
2. Make sure that it is Active and that your Anti-Virus definition files are up to date.
   Here’s what it looks like for my favorite tool, AVG:

AVG Anti-Virus Control Panel

If your Anti_Virus solution has expired, is horribly out of date,  or is turned off, go ahead and take the steps to fix it! If it’s off – turn it back on.  If it is out of date, perform a manual update (most have a button on the Control Panel to do so. Find yours).  If it has expired, you can renew it.  Or, if finances are tight,  see my other posts on FREE Anti-Virus solutions (do a search or just browse the Tech Tips Category).

In most cases, the most efficient cure for this particular infection was to:

1. Save the important files off to an external drive
   I use a proprietary method I have which eliminates the chance that an especially nasty bug will transfer over to the external hard drive.  This technique is available to members of my Priority Club.
2. Wipe the system clean
3. Re-install Windows

A Better Cure

After a LOT of searching and trial and error, one of my more persistent friends found a cure for this very nasty malady which worked for her and I wanted to pass it along to you.  It is at another online forum. Follow the link below and begin looking at Post #2.

What The Tech Forum Solution

Holy Cow! Talk about a mix of the modern world and a throw back to the Stone Age of Computing.  A FAX machine?  Who has got one of those laying around? OK. Most of you may still have a Fax/Modem card in your PC. But do you still have a “land line” / POTS to plug it in to? I ditched mine. Why pay for it when we both have cell phones and we’re in a large metro area?  I digress. Sorry. I ramble on sometimes.  There is a lot of knowledge in this head of mine just dancing around and wanting to be shared.

So, anyway, back to our quest for a PDF Viewer that would allow me to FILL OUT ANY PDF FORM AND SAVE IT. Surely, I thought, this must be a common need.  Someone somewhere must have created one by now.  So, off I went with my software sniffing bloodhound in tow.  I check all the usual sources. I tried a lot of ones that came close.  Then I hit PAY DIRT.  When I read the feature list for this incredible tool, I just couldn’t believe my eyes.

Check it out:

• Add Comments and Annotations to any PDF file (subject to security settings) – unlike the Adobe Viewer which requires the PDF creation tool to be ‘certified’ by Adobe !
• Add & apply Custom Stamps from any Image or PDF File and even your Windows Clip board !
  Mark-up pages with text and objects
• Type directly on any PDF page, not just Adobe enabled forms documents – in Typewriter mode.
• Export PDF pages or entire files to any one of the supported Image formats including BMP, JPEG, TIFF, PNG and many more …
• Extract text from a PDF page/File
• Improved navigation of large or complex PDF files both simple and enjoyable with the extended functionality of  ‘Loop’ and  ‘Pan’ Window tools
• Fill and Save Adobe Forms to disk, email or ‘post’ !
• Full Javascript Engine included
• Updated JPEG2000 Compression support – improving speed.
• Plug-Ins for both MS IE or Firefox Browser’s included
• Integrate seamlessly with your favorite translation software to translate text on the ‘fly’ – including :  ABBYY Lingvo 12, Translate It!, Lingoes.
• Includes comprehensive Help file and PDF Manual – no extra downloads required to add features etc.
• Portable version also available – can be run from any suitable device such as a Memory stick/CD/DVD etc – simply unzip and use – no installation required – just 4MB download !

What’s the price for such an outstanding tool?  FREE.  Outstanding professional software at MY FAVORITE PRICE.

CLICK HERE TO GET IT

PLEASE NOTE: Look at the very top of the page under featured products.  When last I checked it had a rather large DOWNLOAD NOW! button there.  ALSO: They have a very affordable PAID version which gives you even more features.

I easily looked at 25 different packages between the Open Source and Commercial offerings and was about to toss in the towel in frustration when I found iDevAffiliate.  It had everything I was looking for and more:

• Affordable (Starts at $99.99)
• No recurring fees (You buy it ONCE. You host it. You own it.)
• Multiple ways to pay
  • Per Sale -Flat Rate
  • Per Sale -Percentage
  • Per Click
  • Per Lead
• Multiple Payout Levels (up to 100 Per Payment Style)
• Fully Configurable (lots of options)
• Robust Marketing Support For Affiliates
  • Add unlimited text ads for Affiliates to use
  • Add unlimited banner ads for Affiliates to use
  • Add unlimited Flash banners for Affiliates to use
  • Add unlimited HTML ads for Affiliates to use
  • Add video training
  • Add PDF advertising materials
  • Page Peel Ads (this is really neat)
  • Sample Ad templates in PSD format
• Multiple Language Support
• Outstanding Affiliate Interface
  • Create and Track Campaigns
  • Create and Track Keywords
  • Traffic Logs and Statistics
  • Conversion Ratios
  • Export Tracking Data
• Interfaces to and works with a HUGE number of shopping carts and payment gateways
• Pay Affiliates via a Built-In interface to PayPal or via Hard Checks
• Optional Module to Export Payment Data to QuickBooks
  

Needless to say, I was very impressed. When I had a look at the online demos, I was sold. I recommended that we go with it and the client agreed.

PLUS – Outstanding Support

Setup was easy and went without a hitch.  Shortly after we began using the program, we noticed something amiss. I e-mailed support and was expecting the typical two day delay.  I got a response later the same day.  They pointed out that it was a configuration issue and told me exactly what I did wrong and how to fix it. One the very first try.

About a month later, I found something else that looked amiss. It was a relatively trivial item about the way the graphic charts were displayed to the Affiliates.  Again I e-mailed support and they confirmed it was an issue. Within two days, they had developed a patch and sent it to me and all was well.

I don’t know about you, but my feeling is that there is a LOT of software out there.  To me, what separates the good from the bad is how they handle support.  I’m happy to say that the folks at iDevDirect do an OUTSTANDING JOB!

Oh, and one other thing I discovered is that this software has built-in fraud detection and other outstanding tracking  features to insure accuracy.

Find Out More. See The Demos. Click on the Banner Below.

Plain. Simple. Easy. (and FREE) – Just the way I like it! Just the way it SHOULD be.

METHOD 1 – Open Office ->  Just use the Convert To PDF Feature found in Open Office.  It’s as simple as you can get: Just Press the PDF button toward the top of your screen!

If you’re not familiar with Open Office, I have another post here which describes it. For those of you who want the abridged version – it’ll do just about anything that Microsoft Office will. It even reads and writes in Microsoft compatible formats.

METHOD 2 – Cute PDF -> Once installed, Cute PDF makes your computer think that you have attached another printer to it.  But, when you “print” to THIS printer, the end result is a PDF file instead of a printed page.  Pretty neat, huh?   Also, FREE!  Just check it out here:  http://CutePDF.com You’ll want to look for and download the CutePDF Writer.

Just as you needed to take time and carefully consider naming and locating your physical business, you’ll need to do the same thing when it comes time to establish a business on the Internet. You will need a Domain Name – the common English representation of your online business. If you’re new to the online world of business, commonly referred to as  eCommerce, here are some pointers for you to consider when naming your online enterprise.

1. Make It Unique

Be sure to make your domain as unique as possible. The more unique your name is, the better it is for branding purposes. Also, make sure that the name is not too close to an existing domain name or does not contain a  trademarked name or phrase. Choosing a name too similar to one for an already established firm is going to work  against you.

2. Dot-Coms FIRST

Whenever possible use only a “.com” extension. This will save your potential customers a lot of confusion. Despite what the originators of the internet intended when creating the various extensions (.com, .biz, .net, .org, .info, etc.) people still make an automatic assumption that all domain names end in “.com”. So use that to your advantage.

3. Think Of The End Result

Search Engine Optimization is a field unto itself – but it simply means doing everything you can to have your website listed at the top of the major search engines for your chosen keywords. These key words should describe what your  website will be about.

Put yourself in your potential customers position. Try to think of what someone looking for the product or service you offer would type into a search engine to try and find it. For instance, if you have a service to help people with their  resumes, they might type (I Need A Better Resume). Your domain name could be something like BetterResume.com or  ResumeHelper.com

4. Make it Easy to Remember

Your domain name should be something that most people find easy to remember. Think of if you have to tell  somebody what your name is. Will they be able to remember it without writing it down.

5. Keep it Short/Simple

Keep your domain name short and to the point. Having a shorter name plays into how easy it is to remember, and how easy it is to type correctly. Remember the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle.

6. Avoid hyphens and numbers

Stay away from hyphens or numbers in your domain name. Domain names can only be letters, numbers, and dashes.  Using numbers (such a 4 instead of for) can add to confusion and lost opportunities.

7. Make it Relevant

Try to keep your domain name descriptive and relevant to your content. When someone hears it, or sees it for the first time, it should give them a general idea of what your website is all about. In other words, your domain name should be  a bit intuitive. This will help people find you when searching for what you are selling.

If you are selling dog collars, a domain like woof.com, while being “in the vicinity,” does not really tell them that you are selling dog collars.

8. Skip Something Trendy

Don’t try to be trendy or hip or catch the latest fad. That is, unless your website is specifically targeting those people who think they are trendy and hip. Or you are selling something related to the latest fad going around.

What passes for hip now will likely fade into the background and work against you in the long run. Remember that your domain name is quite possibly the very first thing your potential customers see or hear of you.

9. Watch for Dual Meanings

Some people have registered and used domain names without really looking into other ways in which they could be interpreted.

therapistfinder.com can be thought of as “therapist finder” OR “the rapist finder”
penisland.com can be seen in two ways as well “pen island” OR “penis land”
madriver.com might be either “ma driver” OR “mad river”

10. Register Using a Major Registrar

Stick with one of the major players when registering your domain name. You might pay a few dollars more for the  name, but those few extra dollars might save you from hours and hours of trouble in the long run. Don’t go to some out  of the way place who you’ve never heard of just to try to save a few bucks.  Your domain name is not the place to try  and save.

Who are some reputable registrars? Places like Network Solutions, Go Daddy, Bulk Register, eNom, HostGator, and  Yahoo to name a few.

There you have it, my tips on creating a long-lasting, great domain name.  If you’d like help brainstorming your domain name, feel free to contact me using the Contact link above.

KeePass Logo

Do you have little sheets of paper and post-it notes hanging around with all your passwords to the various sites you manage? Then this little gem of software will help you keep them all in order, in one place, safe and secure from prying eyes.

Plus, it’ll even help you automatically log in to those sites once you get there.

Yes, I can hear you saying “But I already have that built into my web browser.” Sort of. But what you have built into your browser is nowhere near as secure as this! In fact, if you store your passwords in your browser, even a guy like me, with almost no ‘hacking’ experience, can have access to all your passwords with just a little effort.

If you have to keep a LOT of password and login information around, I’ve found this tool to be quite useful. I like the way I can categorize things, store additional information and comments, color code my listing, give each listing it’s own icon (I use the favicon from the site itself) and quickly copy and paste login information.

KeePass Main Screen

To get you started, KeePass will import your existing password information from your browser.  In my case, it took a little extra effort. I first had to export my password information from Firefox and then use an add-on tool to KeePass to import the data in.  It was a slight inconvenience for someone with my experience.

But if you don’t feel like ANY hassle, you can just start by entering all those little scraps of paper into KeePass and just enter the new information for existing sites as you visit them.  Before long, KeePass will have everything it needs to make your life easier and it will become a trusted friend.  As a web developer and someone who manages many websites for clients as well, having this little tool around is nothing short of outstanding!

Clicking on the screen image above will take you to the site.  It will open in a new window.

UPDATE: 12-25-2009 There is a new Plugin available which lets you automatically grab the favicon for a site. I suggest you download it to make things a lot easier for you.  Up until this morning, I had been collecting my icons manually.  You can download my icons here.

It has all the critical components you’ll find in that giant offering from Microsoft called Microsoft Office.

• Word Processing
• Spreadsheet
• Graphics
• Presentations
• Database

All there – fully functional and FREE.  The best part is that it will read and write the various Microsoft Office formats for each of its most popular components.

Check it out:  Open Office