Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: How do I hide my Facebook profile picture from strangers?

Posted on January 16, 2022

Question from Liz: I recently found out that everyone who looks at my Facebook can see my profile picture.

I don’t like that because I don’t want all the stalkers and scammers that are on Facebook to be able to see any of my pictures.

Lord only knows what they could do with it if they ever managed to steal one of them.

I finally got my settings changed to where it hides my posts and the rest of my pictures from strangers, but my profile picture is always visible even with its privacy set to “Only Me”.

How can I make it so that only the people who are actually friends with me on Facebook can see my profile picture? [Read more…]

Q&A: Can you give me advice on choosing a new laptop?

Posted on January 16, 2022

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Janeesa: My company allots every employee $1000 every 2 years to buy a new laptop, and I have until January 28 to pick one out and put in the request for it.

I’ve checked out some laptops online and I’m really confused about what I should buy. Even though the company is paying for it, this laptop will be mine to keep. The problem is there are so many to choose from!

Can you point me in the right direction? [Read more…]

Q&A: Can I replace an old PS/2 keyboard with a USB keyboard?

Posted on January 15, 2022

Question from Angie: I have an older Dell desktop computer that came with Windows but was long ago converted into an Unbuntu Linux machine.

I love this computer dearly and I don’t want to replace it with a new one until I absolutely have to.

The problem is I think that time might have come because the keyboard has a couple of essential keys (Backspace and Space Bar) that have stopped working.

I’ve checked at Walmart, Best Buy and Office Depot, but the only keyboards they sell connect to a USB port instead of the old-style PS/2 connector used by my existing keyboard. Will a USB keyboard work with this computer or am I simply out of luck? [Read more…]

Q&A: Should I let someone build me a PC or just go buy one?

Posted on January 15, 2022

Question from Margaret: Hi, Rick. I have a question for you about my options for getting a new computer.

What are your thoughts on having someone build a custom computer for me vs. buying a name brand computer at a computer store?

My young cousin Kevin is a computer geek and he says he can build me a PC that’s better than one I can buy at a computer store for the same amount of money. Do you think I should let him? [Read more…]

How to disable the ads on your Windows 10 Lock Screen

Posted on January 14, 2022

If your PC is running Windows 10 you might have noticed ads for apps and various other things on the Lock Screen.

Microsoft has started running these ads as a way of making a few extra bucks to help replace the millions of dollars they are forfeiting by making Windows 10 basically free.

I’ve spoken to lots of folks who don’t mind the ads or begrudge Microsoft trying to recoup some of their lost revenue, but I’ve also heard from plenty of others who find the ads annoying.

If you happen to dislike the Windows 10 Lock Screen ads, you can easily disable them. Here’s how: [Read more…]