TechByter Worldwide (formerly Technology Corner) with Bill Blinn

The latest version of Xara Photo and Graphic Designer tries to do everything and fails at nothing. The first big search engine, AltaVista, died many years ago and now even the name is being retired. In Short Circuits: Facebook says that it will shield ads from controversial content, but is less adamant about users. Apple is a step closer to creating a watch and has now applied in Japan for a trade...

I've changed my mind about Adobe's Creative Cloud. Although I like it, Adobe should reconsider its policies. If you want your own website, there are lots of options. In Short Circuits: Office intrigue is rumored in Redmond. better Wi-Fi in your home may require new hardware, the FTC says search engine advertisements need to be more identifiable, and shaping up as the year of the tablet, 2013 may b...

Windows XP continues, despite its age, to be a very popular operating system but if you're using Internet Explorer on XP, there are serious shortcomings. Microsoft will soon release a public preview of Windows 8.1. If you're thinking about downloading it, I have some cautions. In Short Circuits: Racing to release information about government data requests, digging up E.T., playing with computer re...

If you're a photographer, just wait until you see what Adobe Lightroom did this week. It's probably a safe bet that your files aren't as safe as you think they are, especially if you own a business. In Short Circuits: What's this spy doing on my phone? Google finds its Waze. Unintended consequences of hands-free devices, and radio killer Pandora buys a radio station.

Windows 8.1, due out this fall, will bring back the Start button, but without the Start menu. Which is right for you -- Google Apps, Zoho, Office 365, Office Suite, or Libre Office? In Short Circuits: Samsung might have out-sold Apple in May, hacking into an Iphone in one minute. and more videos for Amazon Prime members.

Security isn't something that only large commercial websites need. If you're looking for a powerful video editing application at a reasonable price, I have a suggestion. In short circuits: Did Adobe perform any market research before launching Creative Cloud? 2013 looks like the year of the tablet. And Facebook can't find a way to rid itself of hate speech.

If you're planning to give away or sell a computer, hard drive, thumb drive, or any kind of flash memory, here's how to delete your personal data. Ouch! WTOP and Federal News Radio were hit by malware this month. Did it affect you? In Short Circuits: Grilled Apples in Washington, PayPal to be in 2 million stores soon, and lots of changes for online music services.

How to spot obvious clues in even an astonishingly good fraudulent e-mail. A tale of two cities and what happens when a cell phone is stolen. In Short Circuits: Dance to the Google, RIM continues to survive, if nobody has coined the word yet: cybertage, and and an audio note.

A new version of Windows is in the works. Adobe's latest applications won't come in boxes. And in Short Circuits ... Sony reports a profit (yes, this is news), a spammer in the slammer, a senate bill proposes placing a spy watch on suspect nations, and Star Wars on your computer.

Why you might want to download the Lightroom 5 beta version, Ben Long's discussion of lenses could be a challenge to your budget, and in Short Circuits ... Apple and Samsung continue to battle in court; newspaper readership isn't exactly up, but it's declining more slowly because of online readership; and Apple, with $145 billion in cash, borrows money.

Some e-mail programs are versatile; others are usable. After more than a decade, I've switched from versatility to usability. Facebook continues to be a place where scams are rampant. In Short Circuits ... an alarming improvement in malware-laden spam, Twitter needs to establish a security perimeter, and another magazine heads for online only.

What's the easiest way to make your computer faster? No, the answer is no longer "Add RAM." Is Windows 8 causing a slump in PC sales? Not guilty! And in Short Circuits ... Microsoft opens its campaign against Amazon, Oracle says 42 Java security issues have been resolved, and who turned off the Google?

Thinking about buying some fake followers for your Twitter account? Think again! Before buying a tablet computer, consider the total cost of ownership. This week's patch Tuesday brought only a few critcal updates. And in Short Circuits, the IRS appears to be ready to tell tech companies that there is no such thing as a free lunch and you can't roller skate in a buffalo herd.

It isn't just e-mail and websites; fraud is heading your way from every possible location. If you have older programs that won't work on Windows 7 or 8, there might be a way. But sometimes you need to know when it's time to give up. In Short Circuits: Apple apologizes to Chinese consumers but retains the same policies in the US. Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop users will want to download some update...

Electronic versions of magazines cost less to produce but the subscription fee is higher. Why? Files that some large and important companies have put in the cloud turned out not to be protected. State governments are doing better when it comes to providing information about how your tax dollars are spent. In Short Circuits, software that could crash your car, an annoyed spammer nearly takes down t...

The irrational fear, loathing, and hate for Windows 8 continues but seems to be abating a bit. I just received an uncommonly clever fraud but it was still an obvious fraud. In Short Circuits: An interesting week in South Korea and feds investigate alleged Microsoft bribes.

Which is the better video service, YouTube or Vimeo? Be sure to check the site for a TechByter Worldwide benefit. Is it possible to place "Google" and "Privacy" in the same sentence? In Short Circuits: For Apple, a nasty case of deja vu; Electronic Arts simulates a disaster; more warnings that future wars will be fought online; and how secure is information businesses store?

Google's suggestion (not to say requirement) to use real names doesn't sit well with some individuals. I often recommend downloading software so I should also mention some problems what come with software downloads. A big OOPS for Evernote. Are you wondering where Apple's touch-screen laptops are? And In a slap at Amazon, Google is experimenting with same-day delivery.

The importance of backup, Yahoo once again goes its own way, and in Short Circuits: If you're downloading illegal content, your ISP may soon reach out. Remember when everyone was abandoning Instagram? And an article worth reading on the enduring myth of the FREE Internet.

Do you need a file sharing program? If so, I have a suggestion. How Big Data and the Cloud will affect you. An abbreviated report on how photography continues to evolve. And in Short Circuits ... An update on digital magazines. Is Google Glass: better than beer glasses? And old technology never goes away; it returns as a smart phone app.

Making a slide show may be easier than you think. Correcting an old error. In Short Circuits: Sales of Apple notebooks has dropped, possibly because of the popularity of the Ipad. Apple is facing two law suits by investors. And an executive order by the president aims to give businesses that operate critical infrastructure systems cyber-security information but Congress needs to become involved.

I've identified 10 utilities (more or less) that just about everyone needs. How well are tablets catching on? I'll take a look. In Short Circuits: Apple's Ipad was a hit for the holiday season. A Dell stockholder tries to block the leveraged buyout. An avalanche of fraudulent messages buried my computer this week. And a quick explanation of what happened to the podcast a couple of weeks ago.

Your e-mail account is in danger. ThumbsPlus shows that being all thumbs isn't so bad. In Short Circuits: Google gets involved in the battle between privacy and security. YouTube may soon see some paid content. And Apple trademarks its stores.

Newsweek's conversion to an electronic format has been smooth but for readers, not so smooth. Microsoft's OneNote 2013 turns in an orchestral performance. In Short Circuits: Borrowing an Ipad at La Guardia. Blockbuster continues to shrink. Snip. It becomes Yahoo's latest acquisition. And Google beats the street.

This week: A change from Facebook promotes finding, tablets are the answer to what question? And in Short Circuits: Yes, you definitely need that Java update! (maybe), accused of running down a donkey, Google responds, and GM plans to return to Facebook.