Tips to beef up your computer’s security (and avoid ransomware)
Ransomware’s the latest in a line of increased security risks for computers. I’ve listed some basic tips on how to increase your PC’s security.
Windows
Android is now the world’s most used operating system?
What’s the world’s most popular operating system? According to StatCounter, as of March 2017 it’s Android, narrowly beating Windows for the first time.
Windows 7 dominates desktops, while Chrome OS rules US schools
Windows 7 and Chrome OS, despite being two very different operating systems, both show signs of strength in separate categories.
Android or iOS are the only (popular) mobile OS choices
A study by research firm Gartner has revealed that smartphone sales are still growing, though growth last year was the slowest since 2008. The study also revealed that Android and iOS now dominate smartphone operating system marketspace. The two OSes have a combined 98.4% market share. Below are the current shares of smartphone operating systems: Smartphone OS 2015 market share … Read more
Anthony’s recommended free software
As a companion to my previous post on recommended Chromebook apps and my Linux Mint post-installation guide, I thought I’d write a post on free software alternatives to commercial software. This list is regardless whether the programs are free as in “free and open source” (FOSS) or merely free-as-in-cost (freeware), but most of the choices will fall … Read more
My initial thoughts on Windows 10
Last Wednesday, Microsoft released Windows 10, the latest version of its operating system, which comes 20 years after the release of their first modern version of Windows, Windows 95. Meant to make up for the ill-fated nature of Windows 8, Windows 10 has dialed back the more radical, tablet-oriented changes Windows 8 implemented, while keeping some … Read more
Chrome will be supported for Windows XP until the end of 2015
Google’s announced it plans to support the Chrome web browser for Windows XP until the end of 2015: Google to support Chrome for Windows XP until the end of 2015. Good news for the people who’re stuck using Windows XP computers, despite Microsoft having ended support for the operating system. Post-2015, the Engadget article notes Firefox … Read more
My favorite digital comic readers by operating system
Given my cross-platform and multiple operating system device usage, I have a fair amount of interest in software that’s compatible across multiple “eco-systems,” or “walled gardens” if you prefer. When this isn’t possible, I’ll just use the best native software available for each device. With that in mind, here’s a look at the best digital … Read more
Next from HP, the Stream Mini: the “Chromebox killer?”
Announced this week at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas are a pair of computers meant to compete with the Chromebox, the small-sized desktop computers that run Chrome OS. Similar to Chromebooks (or the Mac Mini in the OS X world), Chromeboxes are meant to offer an inexpensive, cloud-based computing solution, if one uses their … Read more
Guides on how to switch operating systems
New computers often beg the question “how do I move my files/settings/apps to my new machine?” It’s especially so if one’s switching operating systems, or needs to move between OSes easily. I thought I’d round up in one post some online resources explaining how to move to various operating systems. Windows While Windows is the dominant … Read more