Ask Leo! #328 - Keep running that old copy of Windows, deleting email, using Facebook safely and more... - Confident Computing

The Ask Leo! Newsletter

*** New Articles

How do I use Facebook safely?

Facebook has become an incredibly popular social media site with people connecting more than ever. Along with Facebook's features come concerns about privacy and online safety.

In this video from an Ask Leo! webinar, I'll discuss some of the things to watch for, some of the things to check, and just some common sense rules to keep in mind when using any social media service.

Continue reading: How do I use Facebook safely?
http://ask-leo.com/C5076

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Does deleting my email or email account really delete all my messages and attachments?

Are email messages and attachments located on email accounts with Yahoo!, Gmail, and Hotmail really gone when you delete them?

It seems that such a direct and simple question would warrant a direct and simple answer.

In a practical sense, I suppose, the answer would be, "Yes, as far as you're concerned, they're really gone."

But that little bit of qualification - "as far as you're concerned" - opens up a veritable Pandora's box of possibilities.

Whether those possibilities matter depends more on why you're asking than anything else.

Continue reading: Does deleting my email or email account really delete all my messages and attachments?
http://ask-leo.com/C5075

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How long can I keep running my copy of Windows?

My OS is Vista and Microsoft intends to stop support on 10-Apr-2012. I know that thousands (if not many more) people throughout the world are very concerned about this. I personally am now very pleased with Vista. I have tested it against other computers running XP and Windows 7 and found that in all cases, it compared more than favorably. This is in no small way due to your newsletters as by using image backups, I have been able to modify Vista considerably. Your advice in this matter would I know be gratefully received by many people, especially those on tight budgets.

While I've rarely heard of this concern about Windows Vista, the sentiment actually applies across all versions of Windows.

How long can you keep using it?

Well, the glib answer is: as long as you want, as long as you understand the risks.

The more practical answer is: a lot longer than you may think.

Just ask the millions still using Windows XP.

Continue reading: How long can I keep running my copy of Windows?
http://ask-leo.com/C5074

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*** Word o' the Week

FiOS

FiOS is a Fiber Optic Service originally deployed by Verizon Communications.

FiOS is similar to DSL and cable in that it is a digital service connection over which multiple services can be provided include internet, telephone and television.

FiOS differs from DSL and cable in that it uses a fiber-optic connection to the home or nearby distribution point. As a result the data speeds available via FiOS are typically significantly faster than comparable services using other technologies.

Word o' the Week features a computer term or acronym taken from the Ask Leo! Glossary. If there's a word you're not sure of and would like to see defined, click here to let me know.

*** Leo Recommends

Fujitsu ScanSnap - A Fast, Sheet-fed Document Scanner

This might appeal to only a small portion of my audience, but I've fallen in love with this device, and wanted to share it with those who'd find it as useful as I do.

I'm all about computers; I think you get that. But that also means that I'm all about using them - particularly when it comes to documents and document management. I find digital documents easier to store, backup and search than their paper counterparts. In general, I'd much prefer someone send me an email or give me an electronic copy of whatever document they're wanting to share - no need to waste paper for me.

On the other hand, between home ownership, running a couple of businesses and more, people are sending me paper every day. Paper that, in all honesty, I should keep - at least for a while. And yet, I'd really rather not.

You might guess that my ideal would be to scan all those documents into digital form, and then discard or shred the physical paper in favor of storing and backing up the documents on my computer. The problem is that traditional flatbed scanners are slow and cumbersome for any volume of scanning. And slow. Did I mention slow? And cumbersome?

The Fujitsu ScanSnap solves those issues.

Continue reading: Fujitsu ScanSnap - A Fast, Sheet-fed Document Scanner
http://ask-leo.com/C3552

Each week I recommend a specific product or resource that I've found valuable and that I think you may as well. What does my recommendation mean?

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