Ron Pritchard Computer Support

We’ve all heard about the recent security breaches on a number of commercial websites, including Honda and Sony. Ever wonder if your data has been compromised in any of these attacks? Here’s a site where you can check to see if your email address has been exposed. It’s a reputable website and will not use your email for other purposes. If you have privacy concerns(which you should)… read their FAQ page. And remember, even if your email isn’t in their database, it is always a good idea to change your password(s) from time to time.

Should I Change My Password?

The latest edition of Firefox is now available. Click Help on your Menu Bar, then About Firefox. Click on the “Check For Updates” button. Here’s an article that gives five good reasons to use Firefox 5.

Five Good Reasons to Upgrade

Firefox 5 Download

Stuck for gift ideas? Here’s a few quirky tech gadgets Dad might enjoy …

Quirky gadget ideas

Here’s a handy program that helps you keep all the software on your computer up to date. It’s easy to use and their site even has a nice video tutorial.

Secunia Personal Software Inspector

Here’s a great site that helps parents understand what their kids do online. It explains these online activities, some of the challenges involved and even offers safety tips. I like their common sense approach … there are no secret short-cuts to understanding and protecting your kids online … be involved and be aware.

Be Web Aware

… and these days, getting something(useful) for ‘free,’ is a rarity. Not only is the Irfanview image-editing program free, but it includes features we would normally expect to pay for. Irfanview will re-size, re-name, convert and/or add watermarks to your images, amongst many other tasks, and the bonus is….it will do so as a batch process. Making changes to a folder full of images all at once, instead of individually, saves so much time!

Irfanview website

Installation instructions

If you’re not already using Facebook there’s a good chance you’re considering it…or at the very least, you’re curious as to what the hoopla is all about. Here’s a beginners guide to Facebook.

What exactly is Facebook ?
A beginner’s guide to using Facebook
Facebook safety
Facebook privacy tips

A very good article over at Lifehacker with directions on how to safeguard your privacy when sharing a computer.
Link to article

New apps for Canuck fans that will help you stay connected through the Stanley cup final.
Canuck apps