Tag: radio shows

ABC Nightlife Computers: The state of tech

July’s ABC Nightlife tech looks at viruses, online frauds, security and social media

Join Paul and Tony Delroy to look at some of the trends and events that are affecting how you use phones, computers and internet in your home or business.

A lot’s happened in the tech world over the last few weeks – Facebook has gone from the web’s golden business to being shunned, new tablet computers have been launched and we’ve had a virus threaten to knock people off the Internet.

If you missed the show, you can listen to it online through the Nightlife website. Some of the topics we looked at included;

  • So what was the DNS Changer Trojan? Did the FBI really take over a criminal computer network?
  • Could a virus really damage computers and bring the Internet to a halt?
  • Is it true the US, Israel and North Korea are using viruses to attack other countries’ computers?
  • Should we worry about viruses on smartphones and tablet computers?
  • What about virus hoaxes? There’s a good one going around about Facebook at the moment?
  • Both Microsoft and Google have launched new tablet computers, will they knock off the iPad?
  • Microsoft’s tablet is going to run the new Windows 8 operating system, how does that look?
  • Facebook seems to have gone from hero to zero since they launched on the stock market. What happened?
  • There’s been some pretty serious Facebook privacy changes recently, what should people watch out for?
  • Microsoft have had some big security updates this week, what are they.

For the Microsoft updates we mentioned, the major security updates can be downloaded from the Windows Update page or the Automatic Updates in Windows Vista and 7.

Windows 7 and Vista users should also disable the desktop widget feature, Microsoft have two fix it tools available for download and users should run both.

Listeners questions included the following problems;

Alternatives to Outlook Express

George was looking at upgrading to a new version of Windows that doesn’t have Outlook Express included but still wants a computer based email client rather than trusting a cloud service.

Some of the alternatives include;

Antivirus programs

Margaret asked about antivirus options for Macs, there’s a couple of free antivirus programs designed for the Apple Mac

For Windows users, the easiest free anti-virus to use is Microsoft Security Essentials.

Microsoft Silverlight on Android

Accessing Microsoft Silverlight based services like NineMSN on Google Android devices can be a problem as Jason found.

Unfortunately at this stage there’s no clear solution for playing Silverlight sites on Android devices as Moonlight, the open source Silverlight player has been abandoned.

Next Nightlife spot

Our next Nightlife tech spot will be on August 6 and we’ll decide the topics closer to the dates. Watch the website for details over the next few weeks.

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702 Sydney Mornings Technology

On this show we look at how to avoid malware and protecting your digital legacy

On 702Sydney Mornings this month with Linda Mottram, we’re looking at the continued story of the Flame and Stuxnet worms along with some trickery from the North Koreans who tried to shut down South Korea’s Incheon International Airport with a computer virus.

To help you avoid being infected there’s a detailed description on the Netsmarts website on setting up your computer to avoid being infected.

We’re also looking at protecting your digital legacy in an era when social media services like LinkedIn and Facebook can keep your memory alive long after your passing.

Join us on 702 Sydney from shortly after 9.30am. We’ll probably take some calls on 1300 222 702 and we’d like to hear your views, comments or questions.

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ABC Weekend computers: Vibrating tattoos and implantable computers

Some interesting patents indicate where computers are going next.

On ABC 702 Sydney Weekend computers this Sunday, May 19 from 10.15am Paul Wallbank and Angela Catterns will be looking at wearable tech.

Nokia recently filed a patent for vibrating cloth patches or tattoos that will be able to communicate with your phone. Every time you receive a text message, your tramp stamp will wobble.

The idea of vibrating tattoos is pretty simple compared to some of the advances we’re seeing in nanotechnology and miniaturising computers.

We’re already used to the “bionic ears” such as those made by Cochlear and scientists are now developing computers that can be implanted in patients’ eyes to monitor conditions like glaucoma.

Listeners questions

As usual we had a range of listeners calling in about computer issues. Here’s some of those we said we’d get back to;

Safari tool bars

Margaret called about websites being listed across the top of her Safari browser.

To get rid of these, click View in Safari and then take the tick off Hide Bookmarks Bar.

As a later caller suggested, it’s worthwhile making sure websites aren’t starting with the browser, you can fix that in Safari by clicking Safari, Preferences, General and making sure a new window  is selected for what to do when the browser is opened.

More Safari Blues

Jarrod also reported problems with Safari, being unable to open pages from his telco. This is probably due to Javascript being disabled.

To fix this, in the Safari preferences we describe above, click on security and tick the box saying enable javascript.

Anti virus programs

We always have a caller asking about antivirus, Steve asked about antivirus on Windows Vista.

For most windows users, the free Microsoft Security Essentials is probably the best, and simplest, solution.

We love to hear from listeners about how tech is changing their lives so feel free call in with your questions or comments on 1300 222 702 or text on 19922702.

If you’re on Twitter you can tweet 702 Sydney on @702sydney and Paul at @paulwallbank.

Should you not be in the Sydney area, you can stream the broadcast through the 702 Sydney website and call in anyway.

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ABC702 Weekends: Facebook and your Family

How do we use social media safely and effectively.

For the first 702Sydney Weekend program for the year ABC 702 Sydney Paul Wallbank and Ian Rogerson looked at how to use Facebook safely.

Facebook and other social media services are becoming an increasingly important part of our lives, so it’s important we understand the benefits and the risks involved in using the web.

All the details of what we discussed in the program are available at the Facebook and Your Family post.

One listener’s question we said we’d get back to was Emma who asked about Microsoft Word stopping her Mac from closing down.

This is usually due to problems with an office plug in or the normal template. To attempt to fix the template, follow the instructions at the Word Mac site.

As Ian suggested, it may be time to consider a more up to date program as Office 2001 is seriously outdated.

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