Long gone, but now back… sort of. :)
The recent post,“Is it possible to retrieve data from an HDD that’s been zeroed out?” generated some interesting mail arguing the technical merits of single vs. multipass, and random vs nonrandom, overwrites. For example, Miles Wolbe sent in this excellent note: Hi Fred, This is a topic that has interested me for some time: Is…
After reading “What is the fastest and safest method for putting out a lithium-ion battery fire?“, frequent correspondent “App” wrote: According to the FAA, water is not a last resort…it’s your first choice, because you don’t only want to put the fire out, you want to cool it, too. So a water fire extinguisher does…
In response to “Is there any way to charge a phone faster?,” reader Peter Rothschild sent in the following interesting and very surprising post, based on his real-life measurements of smartphone charging times. Fascinating info about differences in USB charging cables! (Thanks, Peter!): “I have done a bit of experimenting with this on my last…
In “What’s the cheapest way to network an external hard drive?” I suggested a fully-functional, zero-cost option: Connect the drive to any PC that’s already on the network, and use the OS’s built-in network sharing function (e.g. Win10’s Give access to/Advanced Sharing/ option) to let others access the drive. Several readers had good follow-on comments…
Reader Doug* sent in this report after reading, “New, free Chrome extension checks for password hacks in real time.” “Fred …found this in a forum…..a security flaw in the Password Checker extension…from Google…unfortunately it is in German….but perhaps you can further research the security flaw:https://www.kuketz-blog.de/chrome-add-on-password-checkup-uebermittelt-domainname/andhttps://www.deskmodder.de/blog/2019/02/06/password-checkup-google-uebermittelt-doch-nicht-alles-verschluesselt/ “ Thanks, Doug! Yes, a German researcher looked at the datastream that…
Wow! Yesterday’s item, “New, free Chrome extension checks for password hacks in real time” generated a ton of replies… and questions! For example, over on the AskWoody lounge, a number of readers expressed concerns about explicitly asking a Google product to examine your passwords. As I explained there, I completely understand the reluctance to invite…
A few days ago, in “Taking my own advice,” I told you how I used Task Manager to objectively determine that I’ve maxed out my current hardware. It’s time for a new PC. Several readers had interesting reactions, suggestions, and questions. For example, App103 wrote: Before you run out and buy a new computer, perhaps…
It’s great to hear from readers again!
A recent spate of questions concerning laptops/notebooks (see list at end) prompted this note from frequent correspondent* Tony Luxton: “It’s worth pointing out that ‘laptop’ is a terrible name (I can remember when they were called ‘desktop replacements’). The one place you shouldn’t use a laptop is on your lap; or any soft surface, come…