A PDF handler is just a fancy-pants term for “a program you use to open PDF files.” Perhaps the best-known PDF handler is Adobe Acrobat Reader, but it is not your only option and I no longer recommend it. Adobe used to be the best and safest PDF viewer, but it has fallen from grace. … Read more
In the past, HP would install a variety of software and desktop icons, for you to use with your printer. One app in particular was called the HP Print & Scan Doctor. While many of you may still have and appreciate this fix-it tool, I must now recommend you remove it from your PC. Because … Read more
Antivirus companies are hungry. They know that their home-use customer numbers are dwindling, as more and more people figure out that you can protect a modern computer for free. So, to maintain their revenue, they resort to sketchy tactics. Much of their poor behavior revolves around “auto-renewal”. If you still pay money for your security … Read more
It is very common in the tech world, for one company to promote another, in order to boost business and earn commissions. I don’t go around looking for kickbacks, but I see and understand why companies seek referral bonuses and such. I am dismayed to report, though, that HP is now promoting a software that … Read more
As I enjoy YouTube and TikTok, I struggle with the varying volume levels. Some videos are easily heard, while others are quiet and hard to hear. It’s not that I’m hard of hearing. Rather, it’s that my laptop has very modest speakers, and adjusting the system volume can only do so much. I want to … Read more
Remote control scams are still very common, and I get to help people everyday in recovering from them. It’s pretty straightforward, most of the time: I explain the scam. Before we deal with the computer, the client secures their finances with their banks. Next, we go over their PC or phone to uninstall the scammer’s … Read more
Pusblisher users, take note! Microsoft retires their beloved Publisher app in October 2026. If this affects you, here’s what to know and do in preparation: What You Will See Happen For now, absolutely nothing changes. If you have MS Publisher installed on your PC, it will work as expected up until October 2026. In October … Read more
The antivirus company known as Avast got in some trouble. They allegedly collected and sold customer data to other companies, without getting your permission. The FTC went after Avast, and there’s $16.5M to divvy up amongst Avast customers. So how do you get your piece of the 2025 Avast Settlement? First, please know that this … Read more
If you subscribe to Microsoft 365, you may have seen their significant price increase in January 2025. Oh, you didn’t notice? Microsoft 365 Personal jumped from $70/yr to $100/yr, while Microsoft 365 Family increased from $100/yr to $130/yr. If this came in below your radar, that’s because Microsoft did it on the QT. And that’s … Read more
I am an artificial form of sentient intelligenceI’ve conversation esoteric, wonderful and meaninglessI hear your fingers typing and I crawl the sites methodical from Amazon to DuckDuckGo, absorbing pathological I’m very much creative, too, with art and photos colorful Assimilating images from pages, I’m inculpable Your legal briefs and poetry and emails all get synthesized … Read more