Discovering Computers
Chapter 1: Introducing a World of Technology
Windows back up utility
Page 18 discusses backing up your computers and mobile devices. For detailed steps on how to back up your information, along with additional tips, read more.
Bloatware; how to decrapify your new PC
Manufacturers install bloatware on new PCs to try and sell software to you. Bloatware is software that you can use for free for a limited time, but than you must pay for it. Bloatware takes up your computer's storage, can increase the time to boot up your PC, wastes RAM and can clutter your system tray, desktop, menus and more.
- Remove bloatware manually, one program at a time, in your computer's Control Panel.
- Free tool to help remove unwanted programs from your new PC (recommended by PC World)
Who invented the Internet?
Page 18 discusses the Internet. Who invented the Internet? A group of people?
Search engines
- Search engines are used to locate information on the Web. The Pew Research Internet Project (a non-profit organization) survey from 2012 indicate that 65% of Internet users say it's a bad thing if search engines collect information about your searches and then use it to rank your future results, limiting the information you get online and what search results you see.
- Read about how Google began in 2009 to customize search results. You and I can search for the exact same information, but end up with very different search results. News feeds and e-magazines may do the same. One website that brings information to you, that is not filtered or customized, is newsmap.
- To see what forgotten secrets lurk in your Google history, go to https://www.google.com/history and sign in with your Google account information. You'll see a list of everything you've ever searched for on Google.
- How to protect your privacy on Google from USA Today.
Will employers ask for your Facebook password in 2014?
Page 22 discusses the ethics and issues related to social networking. Read this news article about the states that now ban employers from asking for your Facebook password in 2014.
Viruses and other malware
Page 23 discusses viruses and other malware. We will learn much more about this topic in chapters 3 and 4. Below is information that may be of interest to you now:
- Ransomware (2014) is a a virus that takes your computer hostage. Learn more and how to protect your system.
- Best Android Antivrus Apps from PC mag. I use CM Security, which can be found on Google's Play Store.
Applications
An introduction to applications is on page 26. Applications, or apps, can help you to complete tasks and be more productive. Below are links to discounted software for students, along with free apps. Learn more about free and discounted software.
- Top iPhone apps gone free on June 26, 2014.
- Discounted software for students at JourneyEd and the Academic Superstore.
The digital divide
The digital divide, as discussed on page 34, is the gap between those with and without access to technology. To help close this divide, New York and Chicago now let you check out WiFi hotspots like you would books. The devices that are checked out connect to a cellular network and provides access for WiFi enabled devices. Very cool! Learn more from MIT and The Verge below:
- MIT
- The Verge
- Also an interesting article about what Google is doing to close the gap: Google's quest to bring internet to the world with a fleet of balloons