Terry's Computer Tips - Newsletter
September 21, 2008
Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter
http://www.terryscomputertips.com
A computer tips newsletter for users of PC's.
Volume 4, Number 15 — Sunday, September 21, 2008
IN THIS ON-LINE ISSUE:
1. What's a PDF and Why Do I Need One?
2. A Look at Foxit Reader | Foxit Reader Review
3. My Computer Security Software Recommendations
4. Disconnecting Your Cable Internet Access
5. Recommend my Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter to Your Friends
My emailed newsletter is sent weekly to individuals who have subscribed to the newsletter.
Click here to subscribe. It's free!
Welcome to the on-line edition of my Terry's Computer Tips newsletter.
Sunbelt Personal Firewall for Windows 2000, XP and Vista
Two-way firewall to control inbound and outbound communications.
30-day full-function Free Trial.
$19.95 for One Computer
Discounts for multiple computers & multiple years!
Unlimited Home Site License — only $39.95 for all your home PC's
1. What's a PDF and Why Do I Need One?
This week, as I wrote in my weekly email newsletter (sign up in the link in this web page's header or the link in he footer), one of my subscribers wanted to know about a free program to let him fill in PDF forms.
The Portable Document Format (PDF) was created by Adobe to be a cross-platformm document display tool. Whether the user is using Windows, Mac, Linux or some other operating system, if they are using Adobe Reader to read a PDF file, the displayed document will look the same. I wish we could say that about word processors, spreadsheets and presentation software...
Adobe had the sole control of the PDF world for a long time, with their free Adobe Reader program (originally called Adobe Acrobat Reader) and their flagship product Adobe Acrobat, which created the PDF files.
In today's world, Adobe Acrobat is available in multiple different versions (and different prices).
Also, in today's world, very little computer hardware and software documentation comes in printed form. Now, vendors distribute their manuals on CDROM's using the PDF format.
For most users who want to create professional-feeling PDF files, or want to keep ultimate control of what their reader can do with the file, there's the new Adobe Acrobat Standard 9
For the more demanding person, who needs even more features, the Adobe Acrobat Professional 9
I use Adobe Acrobat Professional 8 at work, but I would probably have been just as happy with the Standard version. One of the main functions I use is its ability to take a scanned document and then use Optical Character Recognitionn (OCR) to turn the scanned images of text into text that I can select and copy — or, more often, that I can search.
There are many other ways to create PDF files today, for much less cost. Of course, these other methods are not as flexible and do not provide all the functions and controls of Adobe's versions.
I use the program Click2PDF routinely to document my purchases on the Internet. Instead of embedding images, text and fonts into the PDF document as Adobe Acrobat does, Click2PDF acts as a computer "printer" — and creates each printed page as a full-page image in the PDF document. This is just what I want when I'm trying to create electronic copies of the order page, the pages describing the product, and my receipt. I've used Click2PDF for about 5 years and highly recommend this $19.95 product.
Click2PDF's other major feature, which distinguishes it from all the other PDF creation programs, including Adobe Acrobat, is that you "print" to the Click2PDF program. Then, you can print multiple different times (reread the paragraph on how I use the program), resort the prints, decide not to print some of them, and then save them all in one big PDF file. Others make you save each print individually. Some, like Adobe Acrobat, let you add them together to make a bigger document, but it's a separate set of steps.
There are even free programs that create PDF files. Most of the free versions are evaluation versions that print a banner at the top or bottom of the PDF pages.
2. A Look at Foxit Reader | Foxit Reader Review
This week, as I wrote in my free weekly email newsletter (you can sign up in the link in this web page's header or the link in he footer), one of my subscribers wanted to know about a free program to let him fill in PDF forms.
I made a quick check and realized that the free PDF reader Foxit Reader would do this. While Foxit Reader also has a Pro Pack available to add additional functions, the free version does almost everything that most users need.
More importantly, it does it without the baggage of Adobe Reader and its huge memory requirement, the huge delays in starting up (unless you let Adobe Reader preload and take up a bunch of your memory all the time, and its automatic updating, which caused me problems.
I've been using Foxit Reader for a couple years, off and on, but now it's my main program for reading PDF files.
Before responding to the subscriber, I checked the Foxit website and found that I was using a version that was several iterations old. I had v2.0 installed, while the current version is v2.3. Needless to say, I downloaded Foxit Reader 2.3 and installed it. I also realized this was a good time to write about Foxit Reader.
As I installed the new version, I found a very welcome screen — a list of new features:
(click on the image for a larger version)
The next image includes part of the End User License Agreement, which is very user-friendly. I've underlined the portions that specifically address being able to use the program to fill out forms.
(click on the image for a larger version)
The next image shows the blank Foxit Reader screen, before loading a PDF file. Of course, if you double-click on a PDF file, it will open Foxit Reader with the PDF opened inside. The way you see this screen is to open the Foxit Reader program from the Start Menu or from the QuickLaunch bar.
(click on the image for a larger version)
Te next pair of images show the same PDF file, opened in Foxit Reader 2.3. The image on the left is the default layout, which shows the PDF on the right. The left side is used to show any bookmarks in the PDF file.
The image on the right is the PDF file only, after I clicked the X at the top righthand corner of the bookmarks section.
 (click on the image for a larger version)
|
 (click on the image for a larger version) |
The next two images demonstrate the ability in the free version to highlight text in the PDF document. The function is really designed for the Pro Pack addition (the paid version), but it works in the free version.
The image on the left shows that I have highlighted several sections of text on a page in the PDF file.
When you save the PDF documennt, Foxit Reader (free) adds a banner notice on the particular page. The result is shown in the image on the right.
 (click on the image for a larger version)
|
 (click on the image for a larger version) |
Foxit Reader is a great, fast, little program. It installs quickly and easily and it co-exists peacefully with Adobe Reader, too. You can use Adobe Reader to read PDF files in your web browser, and still use Foxit Reader to read them when they're on your computer. I like it.
3. My Computer Security Software Recommendations
I review my security software recommendations and update them, for each weekly newsletter issue, if I think they need to change.
My Philosophy: Many people want to pick their most economical solution and prefer an all-in-one anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall solution. In concept, that's a great idea. In actual practice, this type of package is not likely to be the best in all the protection categories you need. Other people want to pick the best of each type program. I'm one of the these folks.
My choice of software that I am willing to recommend is driven by my search for software for me to use. I only recommend programs that I like and that I use. I will sometimes suggest alternatives to my recommendations, but I clearly note if I no longer use them.
Anti-Virus
I'm often asked about several other popular anti-virus or anti-virus combination packages. Yes, I realize that they are not in my recommendation list. "Enough said..."
For the last five years, until very recently, my personal choice has been ESET's small, fast NOD32 anti-virus program, which offers a FREE 30-day evaluation license. I consider NOD32 one of the best in anti-virus protection. Unlike some of its competitors, ESET offers multiple-year licenses also, and includes program updates in the multiple-year license.
Tech Tip
Many antivirus programs will offer you an anti-virus signature subscription renewal when your subscription renews. I strongly recommend against this option — buy the full program or make sure you get program updates with the subscription renewal.
Vendors routinely improve the capabilities and speed of the programs, too. If you update only the signatures, you miss any program improvements.
Now, I've changed from my long-time programs NOD32 (antivirus) and CounterSpy (antispyware) to Sunbelt's new VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware.
I've found that VIPRE puts even less load on my computer than the speedy combination of NOD32 and CounterSpy. I've also been impressed with the way its "deep scan" has found and eliminated risks that were stored in zip files, which is one of the latest malware email tricks.
Read more about anti-virus programs on my web site.
Related articles:
- Anti-Virus Programs and Online Scanners
- Free Online Antivirus Scan
- NOD32 Anti-Virus Review - A Look at NOD32
- VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware Review
Firewall Software
While the Windows XP firewall is much better than no firewall at all, don't count on the Windows XP firewall to meet your needs. You need a two-way firewall, which the Windows XP firewall is not!. Microsoft woke up and supplied a two-way firewall with Windows Vista.
The Windows XP firewall does not control outbound communications originating from your computer — and you should want to have control if adware/trojans/spyware or even commercial products want to talk to the Internet. Whether they are calling home or spewing spam, you want to be able to control your computer.
Do you want Windows Media Player to call home every time you play something? It does! Do you use the Search function in Windows Explorer to find things on your hard drive? Did you know that every time you search, Windows Explorer talks to Microsoft?
I didn't know that when I ran ZoneAlarm, but the Sunbelt Personal Firewall flags that to me, and I can stop it or allow it to happen. Many other programs try to call home when you run them, too.
I recommend my choice for a firewall program, which is Sunbelt Personal Firewall.
You can try the full-featured "paid version" of Sunbelt Personal Firewall free for 30 days — after that, you can register it or, if you're using it on a home non-business computer, you can let it revert to the free, lesser-function license.
Sunbelt Personal Firewall is regularly $19.95 (with discounts for multiple computers and/or multiple years!) for a non-expiring license for the program and includes one year of their updates subscription.
Related articles:
Anti-Spyware / Anti-Adware Software
CounterSpy, from Sunbelt Software, has received many kudos from the computer press for its always-running and periodic full system scans. It has been my personal choice for my PC's and my family's PC's.
Sunbelt's CounterSpy v2.5, both improved CounterSpy's performance against malware and reduced its impact on system resources and responsiveness when its scanning.
Sunbelt continues to release updated program versions — the current version is v3.1. Nicely, they do NOT install the updated programs automatically. You have to use the Update process in the program, which means that you'll know that something significant has changed.
Now, I've changed from my long-time programs NOD32 (antivirus) and CounterSpy (antispyware) to Sunbelt's new VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware.
I've found that VIPRE puts even less load on my computer than the speedy combination of NOD32 and CounterSpy. My computer seems to have much more pep and power than it had previously. I've also been impressed with the way its "deep scan" has found and eliminated risks that were stored in zip files, which is one of the latest malware email tricks.
Related articles:
Anti-spam Software
In today's Internet world, the question is not "if" you will get spam, but "how much will you get?"
I use and now I recommend POPFile as my first choice for handling spam. POPFile sits on your computer, between your email program and your ISP mailbox, and handles emial as it downloads.
POPFile uses a different approach to handle spam than some other programs do — it does nothing to reduce spam. It is designed as an email classification tool — you train it to recognize spam and any other type of email that you want to classify. These classifications can help you sort your emails into appropriate folders in your email program.
Sunbelt Software, who makes the anti-spyware program CounterSpy (which I use and recommend) and the firewall that I use and recommend (Sunbelt Personal Firewall) also has a well-regarded, award-winning anti-spam program called iHateSpam for Outlook and Outlook Express. Since I don't use Outlook or Outlook Express for email, I haven't tried iHateSpam.
Mailwasher Pro would be my first choice to handle spam before it ever gets into your computer's Inbox. Mailwasher Pro uses on-line Realtime Black Lists mail servers sending spam recently, "training" by you of what you think is spam, and your own "friends" and "blacklist" lists. Note: I found that PopFile generally meets my needs and stopped using Mailwasher Pro, even though PopFile works AFTER the emails have been downloaded. If I used a dialup connection, I would be more interested in Mailwasher Pro.
Mailwasher Pro can even bounce spam messages, as if your email address was not valid, although the usefulness and appropriateness of this is questionable. There is a free version called "Mailwasher," but it omits the functions that I consider critical for this purpose -- such as safely previewing the emails safely before they ever get to your email inbox.
Related articles:
Cable/DSL Router
If you have a cable modem or a DSL modem, you need to have another layer of inexpensive protection between you and the Internet. A cable/DSL router isolates your computer from direct connection to the Internet. Your computer can easily request your email, web pages, etc. through the router. The responses come back to the router and are smoothly routed to your computer. But, someone on the Internet side of the router can not initiate a connection to your computer — they can only respond to your request.
Even if you only have one computer to connect to your cable or DSL modem, I recommend that you purchase and use a cable/DSL router because of the protection it can give you against attempts to attack through some flaws in Windows itself.
A router isolates your local network, whether it is only one computer or several, from the Internet by actually making it a separate network. The router gets the "public" IP address and handles all your outbound communications and the responses to them. But, it blocks computers on the Internet side from being able to initiate communications with your computer! This will prevent you from falling prey to many worms that try to attack security holes in Windows itself.
For a wireless router, I recommend the Linksys WRT54G
If you don't want wireless, I recommend the Linksys BEFSR41
Tech Tip
By the way, if you get tempted by the new "802.11n" routers, please pay close attention. So far, the 802.11n specification has not been approved and finalized.
If you buy one, you may be locked into a specific vendor's implementation of a draft of a standard that never got approved. I recommend choosing 802.11g for now.
See these related articles:
4. Disconnecting Your Cable Internet Access
Reader Peter wrote me about his cable Internet access:
Well, I finally made the jump to cable broadband (after some very good help from all you people). Everything works great, and I'll never go back to dial-up. I do have one question, though.
After I turn off the computer for the night, should I also turn off the power to the modem and to the router? I've had them for almost a week now and haven't turned them off. On the same note, should they be turned off if I'm gone for an extended period of time, say a weekend or a whole week?
Thank you.
Peter
I wrote back to Peter to tell him that I don't ever turn my router off — even if I go on vacation. However, I'll usually turn my computers off then.
When you turn off your cable modem, it will have to re-sync with the cable system when it's turned on again. That's an extra delay, sometimes 5-10 minutes, before you can do anything.
Also, depending on how "dynamically" your cable ISP assigns IP addresses, you may find yours changes more often. My cable ISP uses DHCP, but I haven't gotten a different address in several years — despite the "24 hour lease."" My router automatically requests a new lease when the old one expires. IF it was turned off when the lease expired, someone else would probably get it.
The DHCP IP request process includes the info from router to DHCP server "I've been using this IP address, please give it to me again if its available."
Now, why do you turn your computer off every night? One of the great advantages to broadband is the "instant on" aspect. If you have to wait for the computer to boot, you don't get that.
There's another option, if your cable modem supports it. Mine (a Motorola SB5100) has a disconnect button on the top. All I have to do is to press the button and the modem blocks all inbound and outbound communications. Press it again, and the modem is connected and working again. Significantly, it does not have to re-synchronize with the cable system — it works immediately.
The other alterrnative is easy and doesn't require a disconnect button. Just disconnect the Ethernet or USB cable from the router. Then, when you're ready to connect again, you can easily connect it again.
5. Recommend my Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter to Your Friends
If you like my Terry's Computer Tips email newsletter or the online edition, you can help me increase the number of subscribers to my free emailed newsletter.
Tell a Friend about Terry's Computer Tips!
With my email newsletter, not only do you get notices that the newsletters are available and content that is not in the online newsletter, but subscribing is the only way to get my Special Edition Newsletters which go only to subscribers.
If you get my free Terry's Computer Tips email newsletter, please feel free to forward your copy of the newsletter to a friend or friends that you think would be interested. Be sure to forward the entire newsletter, including my copyright notices and any advertising.
Of course, if you do not get my free email newsletter, I invite you to subscribe, too!
Volume 4, Number 15 — Sunday, September 21, 2008
Copyright © 2008 Terry A. Stockdale. All rights reserved.
|
|
 | |||
|
|
|||
|