Here are some links you may find useful:
Computers and Technology Links
- Annoyances.org--"The most complete collection of information assembled for and by actual users of Microsoft Windows."
- Ask the Computer Lady!--Got Computer Questions? Ask The Computer Lady
- Best Tech Sites--some of the best links to places on the web to get technical information about computers
- bleepingcomputer.com--Their site states: "Bleeping Computer ® is a self-education tool for the novice user to learn basic concepts about Computer Technology. Our focus is to allow the novice computer user to be able to have a place that they can come and discuss computer/technology problems with their peers and at the same time have a rich resource in which to learn the "basics" about computers and technology."
- .Computing.net--in addition to the many technical support forums, you will find Howtos and instructions for novices
- CNET.com--the premier destination for tech product reviews, news, price comparisons, free software downloads, daily videos, and podcasts.
- The Elder Geek--find answers to your Windows questions and problems here
- "Every File Format in the World"--from Whatis.com
- Extreme Tech--Deep technology content for the IT community
- file.net --"file.net is an online forum that makes available carefully researched information on just about any Windows file."
- ghacks.net - Ghacks Technology News, a daily update website with software reviews, Windows and Linux tutorials as well as Internet news
- iFixit
- The free repair manual - "Fixing the world, one piece of hardware at a time." - Kim Komando--Check out this Web site to see why Kim Komando is so popular with many of our SCUG members
- Microsoft Answers--"Over a half a million people go to Microsoft Answers every day for help ."
- Microsoft Fix it Solution Center--Use Microsoft's FREE automated trouble shooter. Fix it Center finds and fixes many common PC and device problems automatically.
- Microsoft Support--Find Solutions to your technical problems, popular Microsoft downloads, Key Resources for Home Users and more.
- Microsoft TechNet Online--technical resources and tools for IT Professionals
- MrExcel.com--Tips and Solutions for Excel
- Office Watch--Since 1996, the fearless news source for Microsoft Office users. Word, Outlook, Excel, Powerpoint and Access.
- Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows--Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows is dedicated to providing all of the information you need to evaluate Microsoft's upcoming Windows platform technologies.
- PC Magazine--your complete guide to PC computers, peripherals and upgrades
- PCWorld.Com--tech product reviews, tech news, how-to's and free downloads
- Sysinternals Freeware--provides you with advanced utilities, technical information, and source code related to Windows
- Tech Support Guy--free tech support from volunteers/forums
- Techie Buzz - "know your technology head on"
- Techterms.com--free online dictionary of computer and technology terms
- Tweaks.com--this site is dedicated to improving and customizing Microsoft Windows
- User Manuals for Consumer Electronics --from Retrevo the consumer electronics shopping site visited by over 4 million people every month.
- Windows Help and How-To--from Microsoft
- Windows Startup Online Search --let this handy online directory help you identify all those programs that run on your computer when it starts. PLEASE IGNORE THE FREE SCAN OFFER.
- WinPlanet--Windows Software Reviews and Downloads
- Ask-- Formerly Ask Jeeves. "Ask.com is the #1 question answering service that delivers the best answers from the web and real people - all in one place."
- BING--(formerly Windows Live Search and MSN Search) is the name of Microsoft's latest web search engine, designed to compete with the industry leaders Google and Yahoo! They are calling it the "decision engine." On July 29, 2009, Microsoft and Yahoo! announced a deal in which Bing would power Yahoo! Search.
- blekko --"blekko is a better way to search the web by using slashtags. slashtags search only the sites you want and cut out the spam sites. use friends, experts, community or your own slashtags to slash in what you want and slash out what you don't." watch video about searching using blekko
- DuckDuckGo --Gets its results from over 30 resources including including DuckDuckBot (their own crawler), crowd-sourced sites (in their own index),
Yahoo! BOSS, embed.ly, WolframAlpha, EntireWeb, Bing & Blekko. And it does not collect or share personal information.
- Google Search Engine --Crawler/Search Engine. One of the largest search engines on the Internet, Google has become the pre-eminent Web search engine.
- More Google Search Products --Use one of Google's many services to find what you're looking for on the Web
- Google's Special Web Search Features --check out this page for a list of Google's many advanced search features
- Open Directory --Subject Directory. Uses volunteers to create the largest human reviewed directory on the Web. Their slogan: "HUMANS do it better."
- Yahoo!--A Portal. The oldest major directory and one of the Internet's most popular search sites. In addition to its web portal, Yahoo is also known for its search engine (Yahoo! Search), Yahoo! Directory, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! News, advertising, online mapping (Yahoo! Maps), video sharing (Yahoo! Video), and social media websites and services. On July 29, 2009, Microsoft and Yahoo! announced a deal in which Bing would power Yahoo! Search.
- Dogpile -- Dogpile is a meta-search engine that searches the Internet's top search engines such as Google, Yahoo!, and Bing. When you use Dogpile, you are actually searching several search engines simultaneously.
- Ixquick --
"The world's most private search engine." (Ixquick does NOT record your IP address!) When you search with Ixquick search engine, you are searching many popular search engines simultaneously and anonymously. Combined, these engines cover more of the Internet than any one search engine alone.
- Internet Search Engines -- Internet search engines are categorized by topic in this searchable directory of general and specialty search engines.
- Search Engine Colossus -- An International Directory of Search Engines.
- Soople--let Soople help you use Google's advanced search features
- Wolfram|Alpha -- Math genius Stephen Wolfram's computational knowledge engine that draws on multiple sources to answer user queries directly.
- Digital Librarian: a librarian's choice of the best of the Web
- Essential Links: Portal to the Internet
- Finding Information on the Internet: A Tutorial--from UC Berkeley Library
- Hotsheet.com--"the easy way to the best of the web"
- Internet for Beginners--from About.com
- Learn the Net.com--Find guides and videos about learning about computers and the Internet
- The Living Internet--updated weekly, all about the Internet
- Search Engine Colossus--an International Directory of Search Engines
- Search Engine Showdown--the User's Guide to Web Searching
- http://www.allmyfaves.com/ --Check out this really interesting site: All My Faves | Why Search? (Submitted by Terry. You will also find it on the links page under Odds & Ends).
Note: Be aware that some comparison shopping sites may highlight advertisers over non-advertisers. To find out more about any of these sites look for their "About Us" type link and read more about the site. In fact, this is a good idea before doing business with anyone on the Web. Be sure they have a "real address and phone number" in case you need to get in touch with them, etc. There are many more comparison shopping sites on the Web. Also, the Better Business Bureau is a good place to find info on companies you are going to do business with. Below are a few comparison shopping sites to get you started.
- AddAll --use this book search engine to search for any new or used book, comparing the prices and services of over 40+ on-line sites, 20,000 sellers, and millions of books.
- Become.com--Compare Prices, Research Products and Find the Best Price with this comparison search engine designed to help consumers doing product research on the web. Become.com crawls over 3.2 billion web pages specifically from guides, expert reviews, consumer reviews, articles, specifications, forums, merchants, and a variety of other useful information to help consumers make better buying decisions. Become.com also has a "Nearby Stores" feature that allows users to plug in a zip code and get store names, addresses, phone numbers, hours and Maps.
- BookFinder.com-- a search engine where you can search through over 100 million new, used, rare, and out of print books for sale.
- FreeAfterRebate.Info--"the best things in life are free -- after 6 to 8 weeks"
- Google Product Search --Google's product search engine.
- MSN Shopping--Compare millions of products from thousands of stores, all in one place.
- mySimon.com--On the net since 1998; now owned by CNET Networks. "mySimon is a comparison shopping site for almost everything: Apparel, computers, electronics, jewelry, video games, and more. We gather prices on millions of products from thousands of stores, so you can compare products and find the lowest price before you buy." Note from mySimon Help page: "Some stores pay us a fee to be listed at the top of our search results, but you can always sort your results alphabetically by store, from lowest to highest price, or by merchant rating."
- PriceGrabber.com --Use to find "free and unbiased information about products, services, merchants and sellers before making a purchase decision." Be sure and click on the Merchant Coupons link to find coupons, etc.
- Pricewatch.com--Established in 1995, this site claims to be "the Web's first and best price comparison search engine." Also: "More prices on tech than anywhere else!"
- RebatePlace.com--"RebatePlace.com is an independent shopping service dedicated to helping you save money through manufacturer rebates and merchant coupons. We neither sell products nor sponsor promotions. We simply let you know what to buy, where to buy, and make sure you get the rebate or discount you deserve. "
- SearchAllDeals.com --Search all deal and coupons sites at once.
- Shopping.com--Formerly known as DealTime.com. "Shopping.com, an eBay company, pioneered online comparison shopping and today is one of the fastest growing shopping destinations on the Internet. With millions of products, thousands of merchants and millions of reviews from the Epinions community, Shopping.com empowers consumers to make informed choices and, as a result, drives much higher conversion to sale and value for merchants." This site links to online auction sites too.
- Shopzilla--the new name for BizRate.com. Compare Prices, Product Reviews and Online Stores.
- TechBargins--"Targeting the best deals in tech"
- Yahoo! Shopping--"Compare prices on millions of products, read reviews & find deals from over 100,000 stores."
- Best Free Microsoft Downloads -- this amazing list of FREE software from Microsoft put together by Gizmo's Best Freeware Reviews site
- CNET Downloads--Free software downloads and software reviews
- Completely Free Software--Free software as well as some for members only
- FileHippo--One of the club's favorite download sites. Contains freeware, demo and shareware programs to download in several categories. Also features latest updates and most popular downloads.
- Gizmo's Freeware Reviews--This community-based site is operated by Ian "Gizmo" Richards with the able assistance of over 90 volunteer site editors. No downloads but reviews and where to get the best freeware on the web. "No downloads, just honest advice and useful guidance."
- Ninite Easy PC Setup - Silent Unattended Install Multiple Programs At Once. "Ninite is the fastest, easiest way to get software. Ninite will automatically download and install multiple apps unattended and 100% hands-free."
- Sysinternals Freeware--provides you with advanced utilities, technical information, and source code related to Windows
- TUCOWS--one of the most popular download sites on the web
Free Computer Utilities and Software
- AdobeReader--download free Adobe Reader software to view, print, and search Adobe PDF files.
- Avast Free Antivirus--one of the most popular Free antivirus programs - used by millions
- Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus--Another very popular Free antivirus product
- AVG Anti Virus: AVG Free Edition--Protect your computer from viruses with AVG's Free anti virus software. "AVG Free Edition is for private, non-commercial, single-home computer use only."
- Convert--"Convert is a free and easy to use unit conversion program that will convert the most popular units of distance, temperature, volume, time, speed, mass, power, density, pressure, energy and many others, including the ability to create custom conversions!"
- Digital Image Recovery from ZAR - Use this FREE software to recover digital images from storage (typically a memory card). It really works!
- IrfanView--This is a very easy to use FREE graphics program. "IrfanView is a very fast, small, compact and innovative FREEWARE (for non-commercial use) graphic viewer for Windows 9x, ME, NT, 2000, XP, 2003 , 2008, Vista, Windows 7."
- Mailwasher--"The Reliable Free Spam Blocker." "Use this powerful anti spam software, a reliable spam blocker, that will effectively stop email spam. Discover the safe way to stop unwanted e-mails before they get to your computer."
- MajorGeeks.com--Great Site--Download Freeware and Shareware Computer Utilities
- Microsoft Security Essentials--"...free consumer anti-malware solution for your computer. It helps protect against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It's available as a no-cost download for Windows XP SP2 and higher, Windows Vista, and Windows 7."
- Mozilla Firefox--try this browser as an alternative to Internet Explorer. Fans say it's faster and safer than IE.
- OpenOffice.org--"OpenOffice.org is a multiplatform and multilingual office suite and an open-source project. Compatible with all other major office suites, the product is free to download, use, and distribute."
- Password checker--Use this Microsoft Web site to test the strength of your passwords.
- Picasa--A FREE graphics program from Google. "Picasa is software that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC."
- PrimoPDF--"the world's #1 Free PDF creator" - Download from CNET
- RealPlayer--RealPlayer® SP, the best free media player, lets you download video from thousands of Web sites - free - and share what matters most with your friends on Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and Twitter.
- Thunderbird--"Thunderbird delivers. Enjoy safe, fast, and easy email, with intelligent spam filters, quick message search, and customizable views. Brought to you by Mozilla, Thunderbird makes email better."
- Windows Live Essentials 2011 - Download free Microsoft programs
- Windows Live Mail 2011 --If you are running Windows 7, you may have noticed that is does not contain an email program. Microsoft wants you to download and install their Windows Live Mail.
- ZoneAlarm--Download a FREE basic firewall for non-business use only.
- bradsdeals.com--online coupon codes, printable store coupons and Brad's handpicked deals.
- CouponCabin--"Save with CouponCabin's free coupons, coupon codes & deals."
- Coupon Cactus --coupons from over 3,900 of your favorite stores and more.
- CouponCode.com--"where you'll find great online discounts from over 1000 stores!"
- Coupon Mountain --This website that gathers coupons and deals from online stores to help consumers save while bargain shopping online.
- CurrentCode.com--"Currentcodes.com has a full-time staff of trained individuals whose only job is to find new coupon codes and discount codes and verify the accuracy of the existing database."
- DealCatcher.com--Started in July of 1999: "DealCatcher is an online community that helps shoppers save money and make educated purchases. On the site you will find online coupons, products, sales, reviews, and rebates. The site is updated throughout the day by its staff and forum members. We are dedicated to providing you with the tools needed to find the best deals online."
- Dealcoupon.com--"Find coupons, rebates, and promotional codes for your favorite online stores. dealcoupon is updated daily listing the newest and most popular coupon codes."
- Dealhunting.com--Online Deals, Discount codes, coupon codes, and more.
- Dealighted.com--A deal aggregator site. Deals and Coupons Search.
- dealnews.com--Breaking News on Deals for Computers, Electronics & Gadgetry.
- fatwallet.com--Special offers, coupons, and discounts at online retailers.
- Groupon--features a daily deal on the best stuff to do, see, eat, and buy in more than 500 markets and 44 countries, and soon beyond (read: Space). You do have to enter your email address.
- RetailMeNot --From this site you can search coupon codes for over 90,000 stores!
- SearchAllDeals.com --Search all deal and coupons sites at once.
- slickdeals.net--Features online deals and coupons on computers, electronics, books, gifts, toys, and other products.
- Specialoffers.com--"We offer thousands of free online coupons, free shipping deals & other special offers from many top online stores."
- Fixexe.reg--click on this link to download. Fixexe.reg is a Registry File that fixes .exe file association that have been broken, usually caused by malware. From bleepingcomputer.com.
- Gladiator Security Forums--This is a very informative forum on Security News, Firewalls, Anti-Malware, etc.
- Here’s a Super Simple Trick to Defeating Fake Anti-Virus Malware -- from How-To Geek web site.
- How To Remove Antivirus Live and Other Rogue/Fake Antivirus Malware --from How-To Geek web site.
- List of rogue security software--from Wikipedia
- Malware Lab's Rogue Gallery | Lavasoft--"The Rogue Gallery, powered by the Malware Labs at Lavasoft, is a resource dedicated to keeping computer users safe from rogue security software. By providing a comprehensive database of current rogue security applications, you have the ability to clearly see what programs are considered rogue – and avoid them."
- Malwarebites --"Malwarebytes is a site dedicated to fighting malware. Malwarebytes has developed a variety of tools that can identify and remove malicious software from your computer. When your computer becomes infected, Malwarebytes can provide the needed assistance to remove the infection and restore the machine back to optimum performance."
- Microsoft Safety and Security Center--this site is full a valuable information on how to protect your computer, yourself and your family online.
- Microsoft Safety Scanner--FREE online tool for PC health and safety. It checks for and remove viruses and spyware, improves your PC's performance, and gets rid of junk on your hard disk.
- Microsoft Security Essentials --FREE Download free antivirus, antispyware security software from Microsoft.
- Microsoft Virus and Security Solution Center --Microsoft has put together a three-step guide to removing Malware.
- Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool--"This tool checks your computer for infection by specific, prevalent malicious software (including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom) and helps to remove the infection if it is found. Microsoft will release an updated version of this tool on the second Tuesday of each month."
- Norton Removal Tool --Use the Norton Removal Tool to remove a failed installation or a damaged Norton product.
- Password checker--Use this Microsoft Web site to test the strength of your passwords.
- Probably the Best Free Security List in the World --from Gizmo's Freeware Reviews
- rkill.exe--Download from CNET. RKill is a program developed at BleepingComputer.com. It is a small, freeware and portable tool designed to terminate active malware processes allowing you to use other removal tools
- Removal instructions for many of these rogue software applications from Malwarebytes.
- Remove Antivirus Live (Uninstall Guide) from bleepingcomputer.com
- Remove rogue antivirus applications/a how-to: XP Internet Security 2010, antivirus Vista 2010, and Win 7 Antispyware 2010 from bleepingcomputer.com
- Rogue Security Software | Fake Virus Alerts | Scareware --read what Microsoft has to say about this increasing problem.
- Rogue security software--read Wikipedia article.
- Shields Up!!--"The Internet's quickest, most popular, reliable and trusted, FREE Internet security checkup and information service."
- Secunia Software Inspector--choose the simple online scan or download the more powerful Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI). This tool scans your computer to see if you have the most up-to-date versions of software and security patches to help keep your computer safe.
- SUPERAntiSpyware.com -- SUPERAntiSpyware Portable Scanner. Download this to a flash drive and run it on the infected PC.
- Threatfire --Download FREE version of this security software. It can run along with your regular antivirus software for increased protection.
- TrueCrypt--Free open-source disk encryption software for Windows 7/Vista/XP, Mac OS X, and Linux.
- VirusTotal.com--Virustotal is a service that analyzes suspicious files and facilitates the quick detection of viruses, worms, trojans, and all kinds of malware detected by antivirus engines. Or download their VirusTotalUploader tool. Use this small tool for sending samples to VirusTotal. Once installed, you'll have the 'Send to -> VirusTotal' option in the Windows contextual menu when you right-click on a file. Once the file transfer is done, you'll get the reply through the web interface using your browser.
- What is a rogue and why do you need to know?--a fine article by Erin Earley, editor of Lavasoft News.
- Call2Recycle US > Recycling Your Rechargeable Batteries and Cell Phones -- Use this website to find a recycling place in our area - yes there are several and it's FREE. And this includes laptop batteries.
- Earth 911--locate recycle centers near you to recycle electronic equipment and more
- How to Reduce Electronics Waste--basic information from the EPA
- Illinois Recycling Laws -- From the Illinois EPA Bureau of Land. Also: HOW TO DISPOSE OF YOUR RESIDENTIAL E-WASTE from the Illinois EPA.- including the link to an Excel spreadsheet list of e-waste collectors along with their collection site locations and phone numbers.
- myGreenElectronics!--CEA's (Consumer Electronics Association) site featuring ZIP code lookup for consumers who want to recycle electronic equipment in the US and Canada
- Reconnect -- Computer Equipment Recycling with Reconnect. Reconnect is managed by Dell and Goodwill Industries. The first Reconnect program was started in Austin, Texas in 2004. Today Reconnect is available to consumers in many markets across the U.S. and is continuing to expand. YES, GOODWILL IN STERLING IS ONE OF THE LOCATIONS! Find a location near you .
- Recycle Your Old Computer and Other Electronic Products--tips from the EPA
- Secure Recycling Services -- A business division of Kreider Services, Dixon, IL
- Secure Recycling Services Brochure PDF -- Secure Recycling Services is located in Dixon. A division of Kreider Services, Inc. Monday - Friday Residential Drop-Off Hours of Electronics, etc.
- http://housecall.trendmicro.com - HouseCall - Free Online Virus Scan - Trend Micro USA
- http://quickscan.bitdefender.com - Virus Scan :: BitDefender QuickScan
- http://www.eset.com/online-scanner - Free ESET Online Antivirus Scanner
- Microsoft Safety Scanner--FREE online tool for PC health and safety. It checks for and remove viruses and spyware, improves your PC's performance, and gets rid of junk on your hard disk.
- Norton Power Eraser -- FREE. Eliminates deeply embedded and difficult to remove crimeware that traditional virus scanning doesn't always detect.
- Cartridge World/Sterling, IL
- EDMENU.com -- Ed does websites, restaurant menus and much more. Visit his website for all the details. Ed is a SCUG member.
- Rebeca Chirinos Zootool page: 2011: An Internet Odyssey
--this page contains inks to the programs Rebeca showed us at her 11/12/11 SCUG presentation. - "The Silicon Wrench" - Computer Repair, Online Backup - Rock Falls, IL 61071.
- Toner Tech Plus --"Your cartridge remanufacturing experts." Locally owned (Rock Falls), service includes FREE pick-up and delivery.
- You may need to install or update Java to open the Members Only page. If you cannot access the Members Only page or it opens very slowly you probably need to update or install Java. Go to http://www.java.com/en/, click the link on the bottom of page "Do I have Java?" and take it from there. With the latest version of Java it should work fine.
- Instructional Videos from Seniors Guide to Computers
- Teach Parents Tech --Google has made this site of simple tech support videos covering many topics. Most of the videos are under a minute long and are very good.
- Tech Talk America/Academy --Listen to their weekly radio program. You can also sign up for a free, live online classes, for more info on the FREE classes, go to: http://www.techtalkamerica.com/the-virtual-classroom.htm and http://www.techtalkamerica.com/faq.htm.
- Fixing Basic Problems -- short YouTube video
- What's a Router & What's a Modem Explained in Plain English -- Worth Godwin YouTube video
- How to: Router - How to Reset Your Router in Plain English -- Worth Godwin YouTube video
- In Pictures -- Online computer tutorials based on pictures. Free. (not videos, just pictures)
- GCFLearnFree.org -- FREE online learning
- http://www.allmyfaves.com/--Check out this really interesting site: All My Faves/ Why Search?
- 50 Best Websites of 2011 --Time Magazine picks.
- CameraSim --Learn how to use your SLR camera and take better photos.
- GetHuman --Find phone numbers for major companies and more. Smart consumer tools to help you get info and get in touch with companies
- Identity Theft Resource Center--"...a nonprofit, nationally respected organization dedicated exclusively to the understanding and prevention of identity theft. The ITRC provides victim and consumer support as well as public education."
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)--The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
- How-To Geek--Computer Help from your Friendly How-To Geek. Includes help, tutorials, tips and how-to guides for Windows and Linux.
- HP Learning Center--FREE, online classes, available 24/7.
- January 14, 2012 program about SCUG Web site - links viewed during program
- Makeuseof.com - Cool websites, software and internet tips
- Rebeca Chirinos Zootool page: 2011: An Internet Odyssey --this page contains inks to the programs Rebeca showed us at her 11/12/11 SCUG presentation.
- refdesk.com--"The single best source for facts on the Net."
- Snopes --"the definitive Internet reference source for urban legends, folklore, myths, rumors, and misinformation"
- StumbleUpon--"StumbleUpon helps you discover and share great websites."
- Wikipedia--"Begun in 2001, Wikipedia has rapidly grown into the largest reference website on the Internet. The content of Wikipedia is free, written collaboratively by people from all around the world. This website is a wiki, which means that anyone with access to an Internet-connected computer can edit, correct, or improve information throughout the encyclopedia, simply by clicking the edit this page link (with a few minor exceptions such as protected articles)."
