Rick's Daily Tips

Review: CleanMyMac 3

Posted on July 18, 2015

cleanmymac3 Windows users have an awesome utility called CCleaner to help keep all the junk cleared out of their PCs and their systems running smoothly. CCleaner is also available for the Mac, but Mac users have another option that I’d like to tell you about.

I’ve been checking out CleanMyMac 3, and it is a fantastic program that does just what its name implies. In a nutshell, it will scan your system and remove tons of junk files that are slowing it down and wasting precious disk space. All of the following are scanned for junk and duplicates: [Read more…]

CVSphoto.com has been hacked, and you might be a victim.

Posted on July 18, 2015

CVS has just announced that the third-party company that runs its CVSphoto.com website has been hacked and millions of customer credit cards have potentially been compromised.

And CVS customers aren’t the only folks who need to be concerned. PNI Digital Media (the company that actually runs the CVSphoto.com website) also provides online photo services for both Costco and Wal-Mart Canada. [Read more…]

Q&A: Which is better, a PC with a faster CPU or one with more memory?

Posted on July 17, 2015

intel-core-i7-cpu Question from Eric B.: Rick, I’m getting ready to buy a new laptop for my son to use for his schoolwork, and I need some advice on a matter that is puzzling me.

I’ve narrowed down my choices to two models: One has a 2.2 Ghz CPU and 8GB of RAM. The other has a 2.4 Ghz CPU but 4 GB of RAM. Which of these laptops do you think will offer more bang for the buck given that the cost is virtually the same?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Why does my USB flash drive cause a “Code 43” error when I plug it into my computer?

Posted on July 17, 2015

Question from Karren: I have a Verbatim 16GB USB flash drive that works fine with my laptop, but when I plug it into my desktop computer it displays the following error message:

“Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems.(Code 43)”

Does this mean there’s a problem with my computer or with the flash drive? And how can I fix it? My laptop is running Windows Vista and the desktop is running Windows 7.

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Gallup poll: Nearly half of American smart phone users can’t imagine life without them

Posted on July 16, 2015

smart-phone According to a recent Gallup poll, almost half of all Americans who use a smart phone can’t imagine life without one. Overall, a whopping 46% of the respondents agreed with this statement:

“I can’t imagine my life without my smartphone.“

51% of the women who participated in the poll agreed with that statement, along with 41% of the men. Interestingly, 9% more iPhone users agreed with the statement than did Android users. [Read more…]