Rick's Daily Tips

Microsoft will pay you $100 to upgrade from Windows XP to a new Windows 8 machine

Posted on March 23, 2014

The folks at Microsoft have been trying for a long time now to get users to move up to the world of Windows 8, and so far with only limited success.

They’ve tried everything from bragging about the new OS in cheesy commercials to “forcing” Windows XP users onto something new by detailing plans to stop supporting XP early next month. But so far they’re having a hard time overcoming the public’s obvious dislike for the new Windows.

Well, now they have taken their Windows 8 campaign a step further by resorting to, well…good old fashioned bribery. [Read more…]

Google is now encrypting 100% of Gmail messages

Posted on March 22, 2014

gmail Google has just announced that, effective immediately, every email message sent via their popular Gmail service will be encrypted end-to-end.

Encryption has been an option for Gmail users for some time now, but this change turns it on by default. That’s good news for users who are concerned about the privacy and confidentiality of their personal and business communications. [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I make my files open in desktop programs instead of apps in Windows 8.1?

Posted on March 20, 2014

Question from Allison T.: I just upgraded my computer from Windows 7 to Windows 8.1 and I’m having a big problem. I’ll be so grateful if you can help me fix it.

When I click on a photo in Windows Explorer it always opens in a Start Screen app instead of one of my desktop photo editors (I have 3 of them). How can I fix that?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Q&A: Is there any way to use my old iPad as a 2nd monitor for my laptop?

Posted on March 19, 2014

Question from Jim L.: I recently bought a new iPad Mini because I needed a tablet with cellular connectivity.

What I’d like to do going forward is use my old Wi-Fi only iPad II as a 2nd monitor for my Dell laptop. Is that possible? And if it is, how expensive would it be?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

Review: MPOW Knight Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 Headset Headphone with Charging Dock

Posted on March 19, 2014

mpow-bluetooth-headset If you need to use your mobile phone in situations where you also need to use both hands, a bluetooth headset is one of the best solutions available today. But the problem with quality bluetooth headsets has always been their cost.

There are indeed “cheap” headsets on the market, and in most most cases you get exactly what you pay for. But I recently had the opportunity to try out a very economical bluetooth headset/docking station combo from MPOW that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, yet offers outstanding performance.

I received the MPOW Knight Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 Headset Headphone with Charging Dock for review last week, and to be honest I wasn’t expecting anything spectacular given its low discounted price on Amazon. But after taking it out of the box and giving it a try, I was rather impressed to say the least. [Read more…]