"Freak" Bug Update

        John Carter passes along some VERY important info.  "Both Microsoft and Apple have announced that they have released a patch for the FREAK bug. See full article here.
        "In this article, it explains a lot more about the 'Freak' bug and what you can do to find out if your browser is safe to use and even if a website you want to visit is safe to use. The article is written for Mac users, but the method for determining if your browser is safe is essentially the same." 

        John continues, "For all users, check this site to determine if the website you want to visit is secure. The sad news is that your favorite website may fail. It could be only because the site does not have an updated security certificate, or it may be vulnerable to an attack by some issue other than FREAK, so you’re just going to have to take your chances if you insist on going there. For example, my personal website is vulnerable because the hosting service is vulnerable.

        "I have tested the latest Safari browser and have determined that it is safe to use - and this was confirmed after the latest Apple security updates have been installed. I have also just updated Windows 8.1 and tested MSIE and found it to be safe. 

        "The Win 10 Beta with the latest updates is secure for MSIE, Firefox, and Chrome.

        "However, Windows 7, even with the latest update, still has the vulnerable MSIE, and this also applies to both the latest Firefox and Chrome browsers on Win 7. Please continue to monitor your Windows 7 update for updates.

        "It is still recommended that Firefox be the browser to use (instead of MSIE or Safari)."

        John concludes with this, "In addition, Apple has just release iOS 8.2 for the iPhone and iPad, and this release fixes the FREAK bug for those devices. See full article here."

Why Your Smartphone Records Everything You Say to It

        A friend sent this to us, and it deserves our attention.  The article starts out, "After controversy earlier this month over televisions recording owners and sending the clips to third parties, smartphone owners are now discovering that companies like Google, Apple and Microsoft are also recording voice commands and storing them for up to two years."  This article from the UK dated 2-25-15 also declares, ". . . and you agreed to it via the terms and conditions."
See http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/11434754/Why-your-smartphone-records-everything-you-say-to-it.html   and notice the comments that are posted.  

Office for iPad Review

        Our helpful Jim Hamm is at it again.  "Microsoft's Office for the iPad was recently released. Here is a very good review of this app by Engadget, which will be helpful to read if you might be considering using it." 

Office for iPad

        "Microsoft is bringing Office to the iPad. Take a read here. (Allow cookies on your computer to access this site.) It is free in a read-only mode, but costs $100/year if one wants to write to the app. A smart move by Microsoft, but perhaps a bit late," comments Jim Hamm.  He goes on to suggest, "If you plan to use Office for the iPad, here are 5 tips you might take a look at."
http://www.usatoday.com/videos/tech/2014/03/28/7018217/

Watch for More Info About XP Troubles

        An article  here  anticipating trouble with Microsoft XP with ATMs, health records, and credit card risks came to Jim Hamm's attention.  His comment, ". . . there's been quite a few articles about XP in the past months.  The vulnerability on ATMs is particularly troubling." 

Yahoo Groups: Upgrades & Changes

        "If you are using one of the Yahoo Groups and your Mac is not at the latest OS update, you may find that you can’t upload files/photos to your Yahoo Group anymore," John Carter says.  He goes on to explain,  "A friend of mine posted this comment:

Yahoo, Google, Microsoft, etc. have all recently made significant "upgrades??" - in their minds, not mine - to include numerous social networking capabilities to their e-mail sites, group sites, etc. They all require significant upgrading of the Mac OS on my primary desktop computer from OS 10.4.11. I cannot upgrade the OS for this computer because it's a PowerPC G5 and I still want to maintain OS 9 Classic for a couple of legacy programs. It appears that the changes Yahoo, Google & Microsoft made to the functioning of their various sites are incompatible with OS 10.4.11. I only get rudimentary e-mail capabilties on my desktop now - barely functional. The sites work perfectly fine on my MacBook Pro OS 10.6.8 - for now."

        John explains his conclusion, "So, if you thought that you could continue to use your old OS for years to come, then the changes that are happening with websites are in the direction of what’s happening with the new versions of any OS, be it Mac or Windows, will leave you behind and not able to work with those websites. If upgrading your computer or OS means giving up a legacy app, welcome to the 21st Century! Find the best alternative, if any at all, and move on. And all this just to be able to continue browsing the Internet and using online services!"

Windows 8.1 vs OS X Mavericks

        "Here's an interesting comparison between the two subject OSes," Jim Hamm begins.  "Although this comparison won't, I suspect, induce anyone to change from one OS to the other, it's interesting to read what one knowledgeable writer has to say. I use both OSes, and both work well for me, especially after installing Classic Shell on Windows 8, which continues to work after the update to 8.1."

         Jim winds up his commentary with, "I think Microsoft continues to shoot itself in the foot by trying to force two dissimilar OSes into Windows 8: a 'Metro' style for tablets and a desktop style for Windows. It was confusing to use Windows 8 before the update to 8.1, as so many writers have pointed out."   

Microsoft + Skype + What's Next?

         Keeping up with the latest news Jim Hamm fills us in with this,  "Here's an interesting article about Microsoft's Ballmer by Pogue of the New York Times. I happen to agree with Pogue's assessment. I don't think Ballmer has been good for Microsoft. And that's sad because Microsoft has been (and still could be) a great company with the proper visionary leader.

        "A similar fate could befall Apple as well. I think Tim Cook made a great COO. He's good at organizational functions -- production, inventory levels, timely deliveries, etc -- but I don't think he's a visionary. I really don't have a good inside grasp on Apple's management team, but based on what I've read Jony Ive seems to be a visionary at Apple. Others may be as well. Time will tell.
        "As a side note -- talking about Microsoft -- since Microsoft bought Skype the performance of Skype has deteriorated. It is difficult now to maintain a video connection on Skype. I don't know if somehow Microsoft has caused this, but something has happened. I've quit using Skype and now use Google+Hangouts. One can stay connected on a video chat -- much better than Skype. 

        And here's Jim's last comment, delivered with his trademarked grin, "I guess I'll just blame Skype's deterioration on Ballmer too."
       Try this link:  http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com