Brandon Dimmel

Microsoft will be issuing Patch Tuesday fixes for several "critical" security problems today. Unfortunately, the firm says the list of fixes doesn't include a patch for a recently reported zero-day flaw affecting Windows and the Microsoft Office ... software suite. The November 2013 Patch Tuesday lineup includes a total of eight bulletins, three of which are marked "critical" -- Microsoft's highest security rating. These flaws involve serious security issues affecting some of Microsoft's most popular products, including the Windows operating system and Internet Explorer, the firm's web browser. ... (view more)

A new report suggests Apple is developing two new technologies for its iPhone device: larger, curved screens and enhanced sensors. It's expected the iPhones featuring these changes will be available this time next year. The story does not come ... directly from Apple (in fact, Apple spokesperson Natalie Kerris declined to comment on the rumors). Instead, the report comes from Bloomberg News, which says it has learned of the changes from someone "familiar with the plans." First Apple 'Phablet' Coming in 2014? The source says Apple is planning to unveil 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone screens. The ... (view more)

SmoothDraw 4.0.4 This digital drawing and painting software makes it easy to create your own unique images. Using this program you can use all kinds of brush and retouch tools and add layers to your images. SmoothDraw is compatible with Windows XP, ... Vista, and Windows 7. http://www.smoothdraw.com LastPass 3.0.1 The newest version of the LastPass freeware password manager is finally here. This program helps you generate the strongest passwords but only requires you remember one of them. That means you can log into your favorite sites and services with a single click. https://lastpass.com/ This ... (view more)

The newest and most frightening threat on the web is the 'CryptoLocker' ransomware, which allows cybercriminals to take control of your digital life and then offer it back to you for a fee. Thankfully, there are ways to prevent an infection. Like ... many other infections, CryptoLocker is most often spread through malicious email attachments. However, the malware can also be deployed through malicious pages on websites and compromised browser plugins. According to reports, a CryptoLocker infection allows cybercriminals to "scramble" all of you important files -- from images to Word documents to ... (view more)

Google Helpouts Google Helpouts lets you chat with all kinds of experts! Yoga instructors, repairmen, music teachers -- they're all here. The software is free but you'll need to work out a payment system with each expert you consult. To read our ... coverage of this service, click here https://helpouts.google.com Task List Guru 3.061 Keep yourself focused on your most important tasks with Task List Guru. This effective task management program will bring order and stability to your life by helping you create handy task lists, notes, and reminders. It can even make organizing your tasks fun! http ... (view more)

The man who helped Bill Gates found Microsoft says he thinks it's time to break up the massive Redmond, Washington-based tech firm. Paul Allen says Microsoft should consider spinning off some of its businesses, including Bing search and Xbox. Allen ... and Gates founded Microsoft in 1975. Today, Allen holds a $2 billion stake in the firm. Allen didn't speak directly to the media on this issue. Instead, Paul Ghaffari, the chief investment officer who manages Allen's $15 billion fortune, made the statements on behalf of Allen at the Financial Times Investment Management Summit. Microsoft Distracted ... (view more)

FirefoxDownloadsView 1.37 Use this utility to track the downloads made using your Firefox Internet browser. The utility creates a unique list showing you the download URL, download filename, file size, start and end time, download duration, and ... average download speed for each of your Firefox downloads. http://www.nirsoft.net Format Factory 3.2.1 This easy-to-use media converter allows you to easily convert most video, audio, and image formats. You can also use this program to shrink files, repair damaged video and audio files, and customize image files (rotate, zoom, flip, etc.). http://www. ... (view more)

A new study finds the iPad Air boasts some impressive display technology -- but its high-definition 'Retina' screen is not quite as impressive as the display built into Amazon's new Kindle Fire HDX tablet computer. The tests were carried out by ... DisplayMate Technologies, which examined the 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HDX tablet and Apple's new iPad Air . The Air, which was unveiled by Apple at an October 22, 2013, press event, is slimmer and lighter than its predecessor, the iPad 4. DisplayMate also took a look at Google's newest tablet, the Nexus 10. Kindle Fire HDX Boasts Best-Ever Tablet Display ... (view more)

NetResView 1.27 This small and very easy to use utility is designed to help you see a list of all of your network resources, including computers, disk shares, and printer shares. Unlike similar tools, NetResView displays all of those resources on ... one screen. http://www.nirsoft.net DiskCleaner 1.23 Improve your system's performance with DiskCleaner, which can be used to remove all of the unwanted files taking up space on your hard drive. This program is easy to use and even features a "Clean Now" button for instant file removal. http://www.moo0.com/ This freeware software program is ... (view more)

Not very handy around the house? Your first reaction to a leaky faucet may be to pay someone to remedy the situation. But you might be able to save some cash by video chatting with a plumbing expert through a new program called Google 'Helpouts'. ... Google says Helpouts is about people paying experts to carry on live video chat sessions. The firm says anyone who feels they're an expert on a topic can trade their services for some kind of payment. Experts can choose to be paid for a whole task or they can set their rate based on the number of minutes it takes to answer a question. Google Makes ... (view more)