management

A fix for the multifile-selection glitch in Windows 7 and 8

Sometimes you wish Microsoft would let customers decide when to delete a feature. Reader Dan Baechlin depends on Windows Explorer's ability to retain the selection of multiple files after changing the sort order. The feature has been removed from the version of Explorer in Windows 7 and 8. As Dan explains:

My job requires the ability to highlight multiple files or folders in a directory, and to retain that highlighting while re-sorting them by different fields (modification dates, thematically-based titles, etc.) Windows provided that feature -- until version 7. My work unit indexes, manages, and compares policy documents that … Read more

The 404 1,248: Where we take a staycation in the dead zone (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Electrosensitive community moving to a secluded town in Green Bank, Va.

- Facebook fixes comment threads for Pages and public figure.

- A promising 'Home' for the Facebook obsessed.

- Five ways to get more out of Facebook Home.

- Prepare a digital will for your Google accounts.

- Roger Ebert's Twitter lives on.

- Microsoft exec reportedly leaves job following testy Xbox tweets.… Read more

How to set up Google's Inactive Account Manager

What happens to your Gmail account, Google Drive documents, Picasa photos, and the other data you have stored with Google when you head to that big cloud drive in the sky? Google introduced a feature today called Inactive Account Manager that lets you tell Google what to do with your data after you're gone, whether you want to share it with family and friends or delete it altogether.

The new Inactive Account Manager can be accessed from the Accounts page. You'll find a link to it under the Account Management section.

After reading the brief introduction to the … Read more

As Galaxy screen grows, Surface may shrink

CNET Update believes all Google accounts go to Heaven:

There's quite a bit of movement in Thursday's tech news roundup. Samsung pushes pocket limits with a new smartphone that boasts a 6.3-inch screen. Microsoft is expected to shrink the Surface for the popular 7-inch mini-tablet market. And the poor PC market has fallen to a record low, and the fingers point to Windows 8.

And what about wearable computers? The first units of Google Glass will be shipping within the next month. A group of investment firms -- called the Glass Collective -- are funding companies that … Read more

Mega Video Converter Review

The field of Internet video converters is not short on contenders, some good at what they do and others, not so much. Mega Video Converter (MVC) from Clip Extractor is a new challenger in a very competitive market. Thankfully, it is one of the good guys.

We like Mega Video Converter for being fast, simple, and intuitive. Installation is quick and compact, only taking up about 20MB on your hard disk. However, you do need MS .NET Framework 4 before you can proceed and MVC will alert you if you don't already have it.

Upon launching Mega Video Converter … Read more

Kovacs to leave Mozilla CEO post

Mozilla once again needs a new chief executive.

The developer of Firefox and defender of open-Web principles announced today that after two and a half years as CEO, Gary Kovacs will step down this year. He'll remain on the organization's board, and Mozilla is beginning a search for a new CEO immediately.

Mozilla Foundation Chair Mitchell Baker credited Kovacs for helping bring the nonprofit organization into the mobile era, releasing a version of Firefox for Android devices and debuting, if not quite yet shipping, the Firefox OS for smartphones. That mobile presence remains just a foothold, though, with … Read more

Manage digital photos the easy way with iPhoto Library Manager for Mac

Users with multiple digital photo storage areas may have difficulty working with them using traditional photo programs. While limited in terms of features, iPhoto Library Manager for Mac works well as a library manager.

Available as a free trial version with limitations that are not apparent, the full version requires payment of $29.95. The program's download and installation, in part due to the native installer, completed quickly, and setup required acceptance of a user agreement. Support for updates appeared to be available and, while there were no easily located instructions, the program's menus were easy to figure … Read more

Getting to know the new Firefox download manager

Mozilla just released Firefox 20 (download for Windows | Mac | Linux), which introduced a few new features, including a brand-new download manager. The new download manager works similarly to the old one, but with a couple of new twists.

The first change you'll notice is a new Download button next to the Home button. This gives you quick access to the last three downloads. The Download button will actually display the time remaining during a download, then change to an arrow when the download completes.

You can click on "Show All Downloads" or use the keyboard shortcut, Ctrl+… Read more

Work with ODBC files on a newer Mac OS using ODBC Manager for Mac

With later versions of Mac OS X, Apple no longer included an application to work with ODBC files. ODBC Manager for Mac replaces this application and operates well, albeit with limited utility for all but advanced users.

The program is available as freeware with no restrictions or purchase necessary. Its small size facilitated quick download and installation, without the acceptance of any lengthy user agreement. ODBC Manager for Mac did not contain any instructions, which would have been a welcome addition since the interface would not be intuitive for the average user. An available updated version indicates that some technical … Read more

How to set up password policies in OS X

Generally each account on an OS X system is protected with a password; however, the security of a system can be compromised by the use of an insecure password. For example, common passwords like "12345," "password," or "letmein," or short passwords may be easily guessed. Sometimes account holders on a multiuser system may even use a blank password, which can easily let anyone into their accounts. By default OS X will warn users of such practices and recommend strong passwords be used, but ultimately does not prevent users from setting whatever password they want.… Read more