All posts by Jim Guckin
Removing Crapware
Crapware (or bloatware) is unwanted software alreay installed on a new PC. This software has started to come bundled with other software you may want on your computer. For example most software I install on my computers now, I have to pay close attention to, because it wants to install a browser or…
Q&A Monday: Adobe PDF Printing Alternative
Question: I am currently looking for a more cost-effective solution than adobe for printing PDF files. I am not looking to edit or create forms, just to print existing documents to PDF. While looking around I’ve found a couple products, but they wanted too much money for the full versions, any suggestions? Davina Knight Raft River, ID Answer:…
Conserving Bandwidth Tips
In today’s world, IT budgets all over the place have been cut down to the bone, and maybe you’re users are starting to hog up all the bandwidth and you don’t have the money in the budget to increase the bandwidth, what do you do? Well there are ways that you can squeeze more out…
Linux: Disconnect a Stalled SSH Session
I’ve recently told everyone about my semi-switch over from an all Windows enviromnet to adding some Linux boxes to my regularly used boxes. I’ve also been using SSH in Linux alot more, and every once in a while, I end up with a stalled SSH session. In my Windows world, I’d just close puTTY and…
Q&A Monday: Event Viewer Problems in Server 2008
Question: I have a Windows Server 2008 64Bit Standard and I am having problems getting the Event Viewer to display on the server. When I click on the Event Viewer, I get the following Error Message – Event Log Service is unavailable. Verify that the service is running. I went into the Windows services and…
Q&A Monday: 5 tips to Avoid Burnout
Question: I just got a new job working in IT after leaving the field several years ago from burn out. I just want to know is there a good way to avoid this new job from driving me away from IT like my old one? Fred Cutler Reno, NV Answer: This is a big concern for…
RE: Windows 7 FTP Server
Question Re: Blog Post: Windows 7 FTP Server The setup is helpful, but can you expand upon this with assistance on how to create a user and then set up access to a specific folder? I can’t seem to get this to work at all… and I thought I was pretty computer-savy. The new windows…
Q&A Monday: What to do after losing your job?
Question: Jim, I just found myself out of a job for the first time in 20 years and am searching for another tech job. I am looking for some things that I can do while I am looking to help my job search, is there anything you recommend? Richard Newsome Portland, Oregon Answer: I always…
Security Update: Mozilla Firefox 6 and 3.6.20
Mozilla identified and fixed several memory safety bugs in its browser engine used in Firefox 3.6, Firefox 5 and other Mozilla-based products. Some of these bugs showed evidence of memory corruption under certain circumstances, and that they fear that someone with enough effort could be exploited to run arbitrary code. This update is considered CRITICAL by Mozilla. …
Q&A Monday: Controlling the IT Budget
Question: I am under great pressure from management to decrease our IT budget for next year, while providing the same level of services. I’ve spent time with my team trying to figure out service contracts or software upgrades to cut, what are some of the ways you’ve cut budgets? Judith R. Eastman Knoxville, TN Answer:…