Getting  Along With Your Computer Column Archive

Your Favourites and Windows Updates

By Cate Eales
Appeared September 13, 2007 on castanet.net

Last week I asked you to let me know what software you like. This week I'll share some of your recommendations. Also, we have an update on Windows Updates.

Survey says...
Although not a program per se, Flashblock received a strong recommendation from Eric. According to the website, "Flashblock is an extension for the Mozilla, Firefox, and Netscape browsers that takes a pessimistic approach to dealing with Macromedia Flash content on a webpage and blocks ALL Flash content from loading. It then leaves placeholders on the webpage that allow you to click to download and then view the Flash content."

So you can see where the Flash file would be on the page, and if you want to play it, you just click on the "f" symbol, wait a few seconds, and the file will play.

You can grab Flashblock here. You have to be running a Mozilla, Firefox, or Netscape browser for this to work. Internet Explorer users are out of luck. If you don't have it installed already, you can get Firefox here. Install the browser first, then the add-on.

Matthew recommends:

Mike recommended a program called Revo Uninstaller. This program will, according to its website, do a more thorough job of uninstalling programs than the built-in Windows uninstall utility, ferreting out registry entries, and left-over data, giving you the choice of deleting all that as well as the program. Revo Uninstaller also includes other aggressive tools to clean out junk files, browser histories, Most Recently Used files histories, and will let you change what starts up with Windows. Not for the faint of heart, but useful for experienced PC users, Revo Uninstaller is free and available here.


Here's your Update update!
Wow, the folks at Microsoft have inserted an extra Patch Tuesday into September. Usually Microsoft issues patches on the third Tuesday of a month, but this month we got patches on the second Tuesday, too! Whee! A bonus!

As always, you can discover, download, and install the patches manually by browsing to Microsoft Update, here, or make sure you're getting your Automatic Updates (Start | Control Panel | Security Center | Automatic Updates in Windows XP, or Start | All Programs | Windows Updates in Vista.)

If you use iTunes on your Windows or Apple computer, be advised that Apple has an important update for you. Windows users can visit Apple's website for the update, or use the update function built into iTunes.

As I have mentioned before, the Secunia website has an excellent tool which will detect insecure versions of (non-Microsoft) software on your computer, and point you to a link where you can update that software. The website will also check to see if you have all the Microsoft patches. You don't have to install anything to run this test. Just browse here.

Once you update your software per the Secunia recommendations, you might need to uninstall the old version of that software. That definitely applies to Java and Flash. Flash can be especially reluctant to leave. If you have old versions, you can download, install and run the Flash Uninstall tool, here. Follow the directions carefully, to remove all versions of Flash. Then install the most recent version, either from the link on the Secunia site, or directly from here. Following this procedure FINALLY rid my PC of an ancient version of Flash which I simply could not get rid of before now.


Thank you everyone for your contributions to the software recommendations, for your contributions to an upcoming Vista column, and for your general questions and comments. I read every one of them and I believe (as of Tuesday night) I am completely caught up with replies. Whew. So keep the comments coming to cate@rlis.com. I appreciate the time it takes to comment. If you'd like to look at past columns, browse over to the column archives, here. If you'd like to subscribe to this column by email, please visit this link.  It's easy, and free. If you'd prefer the RSS Feed, click here.
 

Links
Flashblock http://flashblock.mozdev.org/
Firefox http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
Cygwin http://www.cygwin.com/
Grep for Windows http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-1035-1059348.html
WinVI http://www.winvi.de/en/
AutoIT http://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/
Daemon Tools http://www.daemon-tools.cc/dtcc/download.php?mode=ViewCategory&catid=5
Revo Uninstaller http://www.revouninstaller.com/
iTunes update http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/
Secunia Online Software Inspector http://secunia.com/software_inspector/
Flash Uninstaller http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=tn_14157&sliceId=2
Install Adobe Flash Player http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/
Getting Along With Your Computer Column Archives http://rlis.com/column.htm
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Cate Eales has been helping people make online computing safe, accessible and fun for over 20 years. She lives in Kelowna with her husband, Eric, and her dog, Sandy. Cate is a partner in Real Life Internet Solutions, helping individuals and small businesses with virus, spyware and malware eradication; personal computer training and management; digital image management; music transfer; and website design, hosting and management. Email Cate at cate@rlis.com with your comments, suggestions, or questions. To browse the column archives, visit the Real Life Internet Solutions website at www.rlis.com.