Neat gadgets

The Cyberguys site, which I like a lot, has some more neat gadgets (I choose to get emails about the latest offerings).

• 1GB Biometric flash drive (Sandisk Cruzer) -- swipe your fingerprint to access your data
• Microsoft Optical notebook mouse
• Flat speakers, USB-powered, with battery pack -- for notebook use?
• 1GB Compact Flash Card (SanDisk) for only $29
• Wireless PC headphones (Logitech)
• USB cup warmer -- so you can keep the Java hot while you surf
• Pantone Huey monitor color correction kit
• Notebook cooling stand, with fan, for lap or desk

If you like to check out new computer-related gadgets as much as I do, you may want to bookmark the "New items" page at Cyberguys . Happy online "windows shopping".

How to buy online more securely

You wouldn't mail an unsealed envelope because anyone with access to it could read the contents. And they just might steal the information or contents. So remember to take precautions when you are online. Here are a few:

• Make sure that you only buy products or services, pay bills, or provide personal data from a secure web page. This means the website encrypts the information.
• Check the web address in the browser's address bar. A secure web server address should start with "https://" ("s" for secure) rather than the normal "http://".
• Look for a "padlock" icon in the browser's status bar (in the lower right in Internet Explorer). Check the encryption level by hovering your mouse pointer over the icon.

Tip: You can find more detailed information about the security and encryption level of the site you are viewing by double-clicking on the lock icon in the location bar and viewing the
tabs (General, Details, and Certification Path) in the pop-up.
By the way, just because a website uses encryption doesn't mean it's legit. Malicious sites can mimic "good" ones and use encryption too. Be cautious. Be paranoid. It's OK ... your money and identity is at risk.

Hold on to Windows XP?

You may want or need to hold on to Windows XP instead of upgrading to Vista. If so, you should know that you can still get some of the benefits of Vista by adding on to XP. Here are some cool add-ons, (courtesy of an article by Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows). These are free unless a price is listed. Read Paul's article for a more in-depth review of each category.

• Desktop search: Windows Search
• AntiSpyware: Windows Defender
• Web browser: MSIE 7.0 (not yet in final release)
• Sidebar and Gadgets: Yahoo Widget Engine or Google Desktop
• Backup/Restore: Windows One-Care ($15-$20/yr)
• Email: Mozilla Thunderbird or Microsoft Windows Live Mail Desktop Beta
• Calendar: Mozilla Sunbird or Google Calendar
• Photo gallery, management, & sharing: Picasa 2 from Google.
• Digital Media Jukebox: Windows Media Player 11 for XP
• Digital movie editor: Windows Movie Maker 6