*CyberCoyote - December 6, 2007*

*Top 10 Ways to Protect Your Computer*
Gene Barlow admitted that he has culled the top ten back to a half dozen or so, but some of them are new and interesting. Gene and his wife Linda operate the "User Group Store", where you can purchase protective software at a discount. Just use "Happy Trails Computer Club", and Order Code UGFEB06 or UGAZACC when you order.

Backing up your computer is job #1, and Gene recommends (I concur) that you make full hard drive backups using Acronis True Image ($33). The Barlows just got lined up with some really nice computer services from Invisus. They range from cleaning your computer of malware to fixing any computer problems that you have. These services have an ongoing charge, but could be well worth it if you no longer have fun keeping up with all the changes and problems that go along with running a computer. Call to find out more, as there isn't much about these nice services on their website yet.
http://www.ugr.com/ -- 1-435-652-3005
http://cybercoyote.org/computer/bu-sys.shtml#acronis

Eric Vaughan's review of Acronis True Image 11 pretty much matches my own experience. Here's the conclusion of his careful review:

"Throughout this review I've been pretty hard on Acronis so you might think I would not recommend this product. However, this is not the case. Despite all my ranting my conclusion is that Acronis True Image Home 11 is still the best imaging software there is.

""My recommendation is to ignore the fluff and the applications that you have no use for and use it for what it is great at, imaging your computer." --Eric Vaughan
http://cybercoyote.org/links/126.html -- True Image review

TIPS, TOPICS and TWEAKS

*7 Tools to Crack eBay With*
"Ebay is by far the most popular online marketplace. So in case you're looking for a couple of free tools to help you get the best of it then read further."
http://cybercoyote.org/links/121.html

*What's that process?*
Whether you're wondering if you have spyware running on your system, or if you're just trying to reduce the number of parasite-like processes running on your computer, the new and improved ProcessLibrary.com will help you sort out those cryptic process names.
http://cybercoyote.org/links/122.html

*Better Googling*
Sometimes you get way too many results from your search, and sometimes not enough. There are many ways to improve the results that Google returns, but here are 10 of the best.
http://cybercoyote.org/links/113.html

*Windows XP Service Pack 3*
"Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes all previously released updates for the operating system. This update also includes a small number of new functionalities, which do not significantly change customers' experience with the operating system. This white paper summarizes what is new in Windows XP SP3."
NOTE: SP3 will be out in early 2008.
http://cybercoyote.org/links/124.html

*WiFi Security*
Mary Ann's WiFi hacking demo a couple of weeks ago raised a bunch of questions about WiFi security. Vista, more so than XP, gives you quite a bit of guidance, but you may still be wondering how secure you really are. My Google Notebook on WiFi may help you figure it out. (The title of each item is linked to the full article on that topic.)
http://cybercoyote.org/links/119.html

WEB PICK

*AAA TRIPTIK*

Only AAA members could access AAA road trip planning until early this year. This top road trip planner is free of charge now. It's simple to book lodging, including RV campgrounds, from the service. That's what pays for "free" (nothing wrong with that). The detailed TRIPTIK package includes fuel stop, attraction and lodging information, plus maps of cities. And it's easy to revise your trip as you go down the road. http://www.aaa.com

ODDS and ENDS

*Legally Blonde*
I know, I know, but it's my turn to be the chauvinist. ;-)
http://cybercoyote.org/links/083.html -- biker bar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WALIARHHLII -- our future

*Marijuana is less dangerous than Email*
This research applies to full-time workers, so I'm not sure of it's relevance at Happy Trails. Makes me glad I'm not working though. :-)
http://www.techdo.com/marijuana-is-less-dangerous-than-email/

*The Goodness of Chocolate*

A good piece of chocolate yields about 200 calories. Given that I enjoy two servings most nights and a little more on weekends, I take in about 3,500 calories from chocolate in a week. That equates to about one pound of body weight.

Therefore, in the last four years, I have added about 210 pounds by enjoying chocolate. I still only weigh 185 pounds though, so without chocolate I would have wasted away to nothing about six months ago. I owe my life to chocolate!

*That's all, folks.*

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