Rick's Daily Tips

HazeOver helps Mac users concentrate on the task at hand

Posted on April 5, 2018

If you’re a Mac user who tends to have several windows open on the desktop at any given time, you might find yourself getting distracted at times by all the other stuff that’s on the screen.

If so, there’s a fantastic app called HazeOver that can help minimize the distractions from background windows.

In a nutshell, Hazeover dims everything in the background while keeping the active window bright and clear. You can still see everything that’s dimmed in case something important changes, but your attention will remain focused on the active window.

Here’s a short video that shows HazeOver in action: [Read more…]

Scam alert: Hackers have stolen your info if you have an account on PaneraBread.com.

Posted on April 3, 2018

Are you a Panera Bread customer who has opened an account on their website so you can place orders online?

If so, your information has likely been stolen by hackers.

Our friends at KrebsOnSecurity have announced that PaneraBread.com has been leaking customer information to hackers for at least 8 months.

The breach apparently affects over 37 million Panera customers.

If you are affected by the breach (and you almost certainly are if you ordered online at PaneraBread.com at any time during the last 8 months), hackers now have the following information on you: [Read more…]

How to use your Mac keyboard with virtually any mobile device

Posted on April 3, 2018

A few days ago a reader asked me if it’s possible to use a full-size PC keyboard with a Windows tablet. The answer is yes as long as the keyboard supports Bluetooth connectivity.

As I was answering that question it got me to thinking about all the Apple users out there who might have a Bluetooth-enabled Mac keyboard laying around.

As one would imagine, a Mac keyboard should be the perfect keyboard to use with an Apple device running iOS. [Read more…]

Q&A: Can I use my spare 42″ flat screen TV as a computer monitor?

Posted on April 2, 2018

Question from Nancy H.: I just replaced the LG 42LN5400 42″ flat screen TV in my living room with a beautiful new 60″ model from Panasonic.

The LG still works great, and it has a fantastically sharp picture.

What I’d like to know is can I replace the ancient 20″ monitor that I’m using with my Gateway desktop PC with my now-spare 42″ TV? They both have HDMI ports. Thanks for your help.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Google is shutting down their goo.gl URL shortener service

Posted on April 2, 2018

If you use the popular goo.gl URL shortener service from Google you’ll need to start using Bit.ly, Ow.ly or some other service to shorten (and optionally track) your URLs.

Google has just announced in a blog post that they’re planning to stop supporting the goo.gl service and transition existing users to their Firebase Dynamic Links service, starting this month.

As explained in their blog post, Google will be executing the transition in phases depending on the whether a user is new to goo.gl or already an existing user. [Read more…]