Blog

  • Store product keys in the setup file’s name

    Store product keys in the setup file’s name

    Almost any software purchased these days includes a product key: a unique code that activate the software. In most cases, this key is what you truly purchase: it confirms your licensed right to use the program. But how do you keep track of all those keys?

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  • Testing Early AntiSpyware Software

    Testing Early AntiSpyware Software

    After Microsoft purchased GIANT Company Software, Inc. in 2004 (ahem, who’s giant now?), I decided I needed to test out* the Microsoft Antispyware program by giving it a chance to remove some junk, namely Bonzi Buddy. Bonzi Buddy is actually a close relative to the infamous Clippy** and Rover in Windows XP.

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  • My hard drive crashed, and yours will too

    My hard drive crashed, and yours will too

    A crash is often the result of a software error, either faulty programming or the work of malware, malicious software like a virus. While these can sometimes be overcome, when your hard drive itself malfunctions, you have a physical failure on your hands that can be devastating. Here’s how I recovered thanks to SkyDrive.

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  • Considerations before renaming your Microsoft Account

    Considerations before renaming your Microsoft Account

    For a while now, I’ve been waiting to rename my Microsoft Account.  The @live.com email address was feeling dated and I wanted my account to use the new @outlook.com name. I delayed, expecting this to require erasing my Windows Phone, but this is not actually the case. Sort of.

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  • What I Use: 2013

    What I Use: 2013

    I get a lot of questions about the hardware and software I use and recommend, so I’ve decided to publish the list. Here’s the devices and services I use the most.

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  • Open SkyDrive as a Desktop Folder in Windows RT

    Open SkyDrive as a Desktop Folder in Windows RT

    With limited storage capacity, it’s not surprising that RT tablets do not sync your cloud-stored files for offline access. Take my SkyDrive for example, which holds over 60 GB of my stuff. While Windows RT does provide a SkyDrive app for access, there are times when it would be useful to open this cloud storage […]

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  • Pin Your Stuff All Over Windows

    Pin Your Stuff All Over Windows

    Today it occurred to me that the pin action has really taken off at Microsoft across all products and divisions.  Just like the physical version, pins are used to personalize and post your stuff in-place, wherever you want to place it.  Here’s just a few places you can find this metaphor in Windows, and how […]

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  • Weather Apps 2013

    Weather Apps 2013

    It’s once again Severe Storm Season, and this year I’ve made several changes that will directly or indirectly require me to adjust the weather apps, software, and services I use to stay alive, safe, and at all times chasing storms (rather than being chased).  Here’s the apps and sites I use the most.

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  • Sync Unmoveable Folders to SkyDrive

    Sync Unmoveable Folders to SkyDrive

    I’ve shown you how to make SkyDrive the storage location for your Windows libraries, as well as sync your desktop and other shell folders to SkyDrive and your other PCs. But what if you have files that need to stay on another drive, or that can’t be moved to the SkyDrive folder?

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  • Sync the Desktop across all your PCs with SkyDrive

    Sync the Desktop across all your PCs with SkyDrive

    If you’ve been following me here or on twitter, you know I’m a huge proponent of SkyDrive, the online storage space service from Microsoft. SkyDrive makes sharing files a breeze – whether it privately among your private personal computers and devices, discreetly with individuals and colleagues, or publically with the world. SkyDrive is a great […]

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