Cloudeight InfoAve Premium

Cloudeight InfoAve Premium
Issue   #811
Volume 16 Number 27
April 26, 2019

Dear Friends,

Welcome to Cloudeight InfoAve Premium issue #811. Thank you very much for subscribing and for being a part of our Cloudeight family. We appreciate your friendship and support very much!

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Help us by sharing us on your Facebook page!

Do you use Facebook? If you have a Facebook page, please help us by sharing us on Facebook. You can help us by sharing one of our articles or pages. You can also help us by sharing over 4000 computer tips and tricks on our InfoAve web site at http://thundercloud.net/infoave/new/ or our Facebook page at https://facebook.com/cloud8internet. If you have used our products and services and are pleased, mention us on your Facebook page. Thanks so much for your help!

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Cloudeight spring cleanup

LAST WEEKEND FOR THIS OFFER!

It's springtime and it's time to get your computer ready for summer. With our new Spring Cleanup service, we'll make that EASY for you.  

We'll check your PC, clean it up, optimize it and get it ready for summer...  

Here's what we'll do for you:

  • We'll connect to your computer and do a deep scan for malware
  • We'll check your computer for suspicious programs
  • We'll check your browser for problematic extensions/add-ons
  • We'll optimize your startups.
  • We will check your hard drive
  • We'll check to make sure your System Restore is set up properly
  • If you choose, we'll remove your current security software and install Emsisoft and give you a FREE 3-month license
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*Our Spring Cleanup Service does not include repairs. If repairs are needed, we'll give you a special price on our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care repair service.


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Cloudeight InfoAve Premium - Reader's Comments

A comment from Marj
Thanks for your tips on buying a new computer in a recent issue of the Cloudeight Newsletter! I'm getting ready to at least look at new computers and I think you gave some genuinely good advice on what to look for. Some computer site configurations allow you to assume that anything less than over-loaded is just junk, but I'm glad you put down some good foundations for a purchase, and I'll keep your suggestions in mind.

A comment from Barb
Darcy has just performed her magic again and fixed up the mess I made in Thunderbird. I sent a message before I went to bed, and in the morning my Thunderbird was back to normal. That is superb service, so I have set up a monthly automatic donation. Thank you,  Darcy. Barb.

A comment from Sheryl
TC connected to my computer this morning and worked wonders. Several of my programs disappeared and he found them and replaced the shortcuts. He fixed my messy start menu and got my computer working wonderfully. No more hesitations or freezing. I am recommending Cloudeight to everyone I know. Thanks TC, for a job well done.

A comment from Audrey
Want to thank Darcy for whatever she did to my computer and she got what I wanted fixed, I am no longer getting those dreaded pop-ups. Something worked out for the better. Do not know what I would do without the help of you Darcy as you sure know your stuff. Again thanks ever so much for your help. Till the next time, hopefully not too soon, take care and have a great day.

A comment from Holly
Just had a Senior Pass Session with TC he is amazing, He checked out my computer and answered my question about a ‘maybe’ problem and all is OK. It’s funny to watch him go places on my computer that I didn’t even know exist much less what they mean but he does. I still have Windows 8.1 but if I ever get Windows 10 he will be hearing from me RIGHT AWAY!! I tell everyone I know about Cloudeight! Holly

A comment from Gerry
Hello again Darcy. I just have to drop you a few words of grateful thanks {and using the newly fixed Gmail}.You have this morning {afternoon} put a smile back on my face after several days of misery caused by the absence of mails. I really love using the computer, and it is good, so good to be back again.

I guess that in my younger days all we had to be sad about the loss of mails was a crossed nib on our pens, knocking over a bottle of ink, or a postal strike......I cannot imagine nowadays what we would be without our computers. It is a two-way thing: We are unhappy when they breakdown, but then where would you be if they did not? Again this happy older man says "thank you". Until the next breakdown...Sincere good wishes, Gerry

A comment from Irene
A big shout out to Darcy, for coming to my rescue once again after I went to restore and messed everything up, what would I do without you people, thank you-thank you, can't say it enough. Irene
 
A big Cloudeight "Thank you!" to Marj, Barb, Sheryl, Audrey, Holly, Gerry, Irene and all the others who took time out to write to us and/or sharing us on Facebook! We appreciate your kind words and your support very much! EB & TC. 

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Cloudeight Direct Computer Care

Your Purchase Helps Us!
When you purchase any Cloudeight Direct Computer Care Service, you get the best computer care and repair, at the lowest possible price. Plus, each Cloudeight Direct Computer Care service you purchase goes a long way in helping to support our small business.

Your computer fixed - while you watch!
With our Cloudeight Computer Care, we'll fix your computer while you watch. You'll be getting the best computer repair service available, at the best price, from people you trust. Our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care single repair keys are a great deal. They are good until you use them.

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Here are some important links for you:


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Nigel gets the infamous blackmail spam
Hi. Thank you for all your help over the years. I have a problem.

I received an email yesterday from a person on my email list when I opened it it was a picture to be opened. I had no reason to think this was a problem. When it was opened it was a long screed in French (I am in France). threatening me that if I did not pay in Bitcoin in 48 hours they would send details of private things on my PC to other people.

I have tried to contact the person who allegedly sent it, unfortunately, they are away.

My initial reaction is to ignore this. Can you tell me if I should do anything else?

Thank you, Nigel.

Our answer
HI Nigel. We get dozens of these every week. They're just sophisticated spam trying to scare you so the criminals who send them can take their victims' money.

You'll never be able to contact who sent it since a criminal isn't going to expose a real name or email address. He or she is not interested in hearing from you, he or she is only interested in scaring you enough so you'll pay money.

When you see one, don't read it, just delete it. It probably won't be the last one you see, unfortunately.

Thanks for your support over the years - and your nice comments.
------
Nigel wrote back: "Thank you that is what I thought I just wanted to be sure. Thank you again for all your help over the years. Nigel"

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Trish wants to know why, all of a sudden, our site says "Not secure"?
Hi, could you please tell me why I’m now receiving the warning of “Not Secure” beside the thundercloud.net name on my home page, which is yours? This actually started last night. I’m not sure why it’s there to begin with. I hope you can help me because I do enjoy Cloudeight as my home page. I’ve been using it for years, only now I’m concerned. Thank you kindly, Trish

Our answer
Hi Trish. Google Chrome labels all sites that are not https:// (secure servers) as not secure. Since we don't collect any personal information or do any direct sales (all our Sales are done on secure servers by PayPal) we are not running on secure servers. It's costly and time consuming to switch an entire site to secure servers.

You may have just noticed it but it's been this way since July 2018.


Please see our article here and read our article here. Those articles should explain secure servers and why secure servers don't always mean "safe".

If you have any more questions, please let me know. We would never do anything to put our friends and visitors at risk.

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Rosemarie wants to know how to split her computer screen
Dear Friends. Thank you for your constant companionship and help in your newsletters. Living in the deep south of France where nothing goes and being very much a senior (82) without "computer-speak" I do occasionally need help. How do I split the screen either left-right or above and below?  I have a long translation to do and need to be able to see what I have to do and what I have done. Thank you so much and best regards.

Our answer
Hi Rosemarie. Thanks so much for your very nice comments and your support.

You can move program Windows to left, right, up, or down by using the Windows key and the arrow keys. You can actually split the screen into 2, 3 or 4 sections this way.

Windows Key + Left Arrow moves the window to the left side of the screen.

Windows Key+ Right Arrow moves the window to the right side of the screen.

Windows Key + Down Arrow moves the window to the bottom of the screen.

Windows Key + Up Arrow moves the window to the top half of the screen.

By using the Windows Key and Arrow Keys you can "Split" the screen into four quadrants.

Hope this helps you, Rosemarie.

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Maureen got a new printer but nearly gets scammed on the installation software and drivers
My sister purchased a printer for me because mine finally stopped working right... it is 9 years so no complaints, However, she purchased HP3830 and it did not come with the CD software. It said in the papers to contact HP and would send me one. OK. So I tried to do this but I was sent to an agent to help me and then I was asked to send money for the tech service I do not believe tech support should charge. I did not pay. Does any know about this printer?? I would like any comments to those familiar with this printer before I finally get it up and running. I appreciate any comments from you because you know what you are doing. I would like to be as "smart" as you are. Keep up the good work. Take care and be well Maureen.

Our answer
Hi Maureen. Thank you so much for your nice comments!

Most printers don't come with installation software CDs anymore. It looks like you got connected to a scammer. You did well by not paying them. We're hoping you did not let them on your computer.

All drivers and installation software for all HP printers and HP All-in-Ones are available on the HP website at https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/printers.

Hope this helps you, Maureen
----
Maureen wrote back: "I used the link that is on the Paper that came with the printer. It is good to be careful! Thank you for your reply. You guys are always there to help us. THANK YOU."

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Colin is getting a new PC and is concerned about his Chrome bookmarks
I am about to switch to a new PC Desktop with Windows Ten Home Premium. I have backed up Documents and hopefully, this will be sufficient in my case as my photos are Cloud-based Google Photos. Would I be right in thinking that My Favorites are Cloud-based too? I researched exporting Favorites from Chrome but nothing added up as the export option didn't appear. Import, yes but no export so a little confused, to say the least. If they're Cloud-based then no problem. Otherwise?

Our answer
Hi Colin. Chrome does not have "Favorites", Chrome (and Firefox, Opera, and other browsers) call them Bookmarks. They're not stored in your Favorites folder - only Internet Explorer and Edge (for now) store bookmarks (Favorites) in the Favorites folder.

If you have Chrome syncing turned on, your bookmarks may be saved in the cloud. But let's not take a chance. If you want to backup your Chrome bookmarks, see our tutorial on how to back up your Chrome bookmarks to a single file.

You can export your Chrome bookmarks to a single HTML (Webpage) file and save it with your backups and then when you install Chrome on your new computer, you can import your Chrome bookmarks from that file.

Hope this helps.

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Renee is afraid that is she upgrades from Windows 7 to Windows 10 some programs won't work
I have Windows 7 Professional (small business) desktop. I've got loads of programs, tons of graphics, and so on - that I am afraid will no longer work with Windows 10 Professional. Some programs may be dated but I still work with them. Any suggestions?

Our answer
Hi Renee. There is no way that we or Microsoft can guarantee that every one of your old programs is going to work after you upgrade. But I can tell you that I upgraded a 7-year-old Dell and Windows 10 runs better on it than it does on my 3-year-old ASUS computer. And Darcy and I use a lot of older programs. In fact, we use Jasc PaintShop Pro version 7 which is from 1998 and it still works on Windows 10.

As a rule of thumb, anything that runs on Windows 7 will also run on Windows 10 - but no one will guarantee that. You could check with the individual software vendors to see if they have any information. Also, there is no guarantee that your computer can be upgraded, but if you try and it fails, you'll be back to Windows 7.

The problem you're going to run into if you don't upgrade is Windows 7 will become the target of exploits much the same way as Windows XP did. And eventually, you'll not be able to find antivirus for it. In short, it won't be safe to continue using Windows 7 much passed its end-of-life date of January 14, 2020.

We hope this helps you.

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Helen wants to know about Microsoft accounts and Windows passwords
I hate to bother you again but was wondering is your login password the same as Microsoft Account Password. Still confused on that. Thank you.

Our answer
Hi Helen. You can have a Microsoft account and not use it to log in to Windows. All a Microsoft account is is an email address that ends in one of the following:

@hotmail.com
@outlook.com
@msn.com
@live.com
@live.ca

Those are also email addresses and also Microsoft accounts. If you're using a Microsoft account to log in to your Windows 10 PC, then the password for your Microsoft account (email) is the same as the password you use to log into your Windows 10 computer. However, you can have a Microsoft account and still choose to use a local account on your Windows 10 PC. In that case, the password for your Microsoft account and the password to log into your computer may be different.

You can tell what kind of account you use by looking in Settings > User Accounts. Your main account will be listed at the top.

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Make Windows 10 look and work like Windows 7

LAST WEEKEND FOR INTRO PRICING!

We'll make your Windows 10 computer look and work more like Windows 7. The end of Windows 7 is coming on January 14, 2020. Using Windows 7 after that date may put your computer at risk as Microsoft will no longer be sending security updates and fixes for it.   Whether you upgrade your Windows 7 to Windows 10 (still free) or buy a new Windows 10 computer, we can make you feel right at home on Windows 10 with our Windows Transformation service. We can take your Windows 10 computer
and make it look like this:

 

Above: Windows 10 or Windows 7?

Both screenshots are of a Windows 10 computer. It looks very much like a Windows 7 computer doesn't it?  

With our Windows 10 Transformation service, we will:
  1. Change the start menu back to Windows 7 classic style and include your favorite programs
  2. Change your taskbar and start menu colors to your preferences
  3. Add an authentic Windows 7 start button
  4. Add Windows 7 Wallpaper (if desired)
  5. Change Windows 10 File Explorer so it works more like Windows 7's Windows Explorer
  6. Add My Computer to your desktop (if desired)
Regular price is $35 - but during this introductory period,  we'll make your computer work and look very much like Windows 7 for just $25.  Buy now and use later! Our Windows 10 Transformation service keys are good until you use them. Get yours now, save $10, and get the peace of mind of knowing when you change to Windows 10 your learning curve will be a whole lot easier.   And if you're currently using Windows 10 and like what you see in the screenshots above, we can transform your Windows 10 PC for you too.

Save $10 and get your Windows 10 Transformation Service Key right now!

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Cloudeight InfoAve Premium -Tips & Tricks

How to Remove Personal Data From Your Digital Photos
Windows 10 (all versions)

Did you know that when you take a photo with your digital camera, tablet camera or phone camera, a lot of information is added to the photo?

Almost all digital image files typically contain information about the date and time the photo was taken, camera (or digital device) manufacturer make and model (and often the serial number), camera settings such as aperture and shutter speed, and in the case of smartphones, even the GPS coordinates of where the photo was taken are added

This information is called metadata and is referred to as Exif (Exchangeable image file format). It’s a worldwide standard that specifies formats for files recorded by digital cameras. However, none of this information is added by the user when the photo is taken; it’s automatically added by the device or digital camera you used to take the picture. But when you or someone you share the picture with opens it, all you or they see is the photo itself. But there’s usually a lot of invisible info hiding inside of a digital photo.

Windows 10 gives you the option to remove all or most of this data from the picture, with a couple of clicks. It’s easy to do, and we are going to walk you through the process step by step. Don’t worry, it could not be easier.

Find a photo on your PC that you took with your digital device (camera, phone, tablet) and right click it.

Cloudeight Internet

Now click on Properties and then click the Details tab.

Cloudeight Internet

The devil’s in the details. You can see a lot of information is stored about the picture you took when you look at the details.

See the screenshots above and below.

Cloudeight Internet

If you want to remove some or all of that information, near the bottom of Properties > Details, you’ll see a link that says “Remove Properties and Personal Information”. When you click that, you see the following:

Cloudeight Intternet

You have a choice of creating a copy of the photo with all possible properties removed. This is a good choice if you want to keep the original and share the copy that will be created. The copy will have all possible data removed and that’s the one you’d post online or share on Facebook, etc.

Or (see below), you can pick and choose the details you want to remove from the picture. Or select them all using the “Select all” button. When you choose this option, the changes are applied to the original photo and a copy is not created.

Cloudeight Internet

Keep in mind, this is not going to defeat forensic scientists bent on finding arcane personal data. But it will remove Exif data from your photos well enough so that it can’t be retrieved by the average user.

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Be SUPER Careful Whenever You Search!
A Tip for everyone

There are two things you should never search for and that is support and drivers. Many people have gotten in serious trouble by searching for these. The reason? Criminals and scammers know that people will search for things like HP Printer Support, Canon Printer Support, Dell Support, Display drivers, printer drivers, and so on. These search terms are full of danger for you. Why? Because the unscrupulous know you will be searching for these things and will make ad buys on search engines so their scummy ads will show up on your search results. Once you click on one you could well find yourself in a trap or worse think you’re on a legitimate site when you’re not.

If you need help with your printer, type in the site’s web address, for instance, http://www.hp.com/ or https://www.canon.com. If you need help, click on support, If you need support for Windows, don’t go searching for Microsoft support. Go to www.microsoft.com and click on support – or get help right from your PC. If you need drivers don’t search for anything using the word drivers. If you have an NVidia display adapter that you need drivers for, go to NVidia’s web site. If you need help with a Dell computer, go to Dell’s web site.

If you must search for anything having to do with a driver or product support, remember this – only the name before the dot.com or dot.net or dot.org  or dot.biz, or dot.tv, etc. in a URL (website address) is the actual domain.

For instance, the following web address is not for Dell support:  dell.support.geeksrus.com.

It is not a Dell site at all – it’s a geekrus site.

Likewise, mircosoft.support.wegotcha.com is not a Microsoft site – it’s a wegotcha site, and if you click on a link like that, believe me, they gotcha!

Let’s take a test:

1.) Which of the following 3 URLs belongs to Microsoft?

A. microsoft.support.com 

B. support.microsoft.com

C. .microsoft.windows-support.com

Answer? Only “B” is a Microsoft Site.

2.) Which of the following belong to HP?

A. hp.com

B. support.hp.com

C .hp-drivers.softonic.com

D. hp-printer.drivers.com

If you said “A” and “B” you’re right. Both A and B are HP sites. C and D are not. If you learn how to read a URL you’re on the way to safer browsing – and searching.

Be careful what you search for and learn how to read URLs (Web site addresses). Always pay attention to the words/names right before the dot com, dot net, dot. org, etc. in a URL (website address).

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Take Command of the Command Prompt
Windows 10 (all versions)

Note: While this tip was written for Windows 10,  you can also change the command prompt colors and fonts in Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 as well.

We have a lot of tips that require you to open a command prompt. And when you do, most of you see a black box with small white text that can be hard to read.

Cloudeight Windows 10 Tips

But you don’t have to put up with hard to read fonts or that stark, foreboding black background I tells you. You can take command of the command prompt and it’s not hard.

First, let’s open a command prompt with administrator privileges.

1.) Type CMD in taskbar search. When it appears at the top right-click on it and choose Run as Administrator.

2.) When the command prompt opens, right-click on its title bar and choose “Properties” from the drop-down menu.

Cloudeight Windows 10 Tips

3.) Let’s change the font and the font size and make it bold too, for easy viewing. In the “Properties” dialog (below), click on the “Font” tab at the top.  Choose a size, a font, and make it bold if you like. If you want to leave the background black, you can click “OK” after changing the font, font size, and font style.

But if you want to change the background color and or the font color, you have more to do.

Cloudeight Windows 10 Tips

4.) To change the background color and/or the font color, click on the “Colors” tab in command prompt properties dialog.

Select “Screen Text” then click on a color in the color bar, if you know your RGBs, you can use a custom color. Don’t spend too much time on this, the available colors should work just fine.

Select “Screen Background” to change the background color of the command prompt window. Again you can choose one of the color bars, or if you’re a fussy RGB’er you can choose Red, Green, Blue settings. But really, you should spend that much time on this.

Cloudeight Windows 10 Tips

Make sure you click “OK” to save your changes. And that’s it, you’re done.

If you want to further customize the command prompt you can change the popup dialog background font colors, and you can even set a customized size for the command prompt window. You can explore the other tabs in the command prompt “Properties” dialog, but for us just changing the font, font-size, font-style, font-color and command prompt background was good enough.

Now you can see the large, bold yellow font on a blue background is much easier to read than the small faded white font on a black background that is the command prompt’s default.

Cloudeight Windows 10 Tips

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3 Quick and Easy Windows 10 Tips You Might Not Know
Windows 10 (all versions)

1. Shake It Up Baby Now

Want to minimize all other open program windows except the one you’re working in? It’s easy. Grab the title bar of the window want to stay open and move it back and forth quickly (shake it up). After you shake it a  couple of times the window you shook will remain open and all other program windows will be minimized. Shake it a couple of times again, and all the minimized windows are back.

5 Quick and Easy Windows 10 Tips Cloudeight

2. Use the Windows Key + the PrntScr Key to Take a Quick Screenshot

Want to take a quick screenshot of your computer’s screen? No problemo! Hold down the Windows Key and click the PrntScr (Print Screen) key. Now look in your Pictures folder. You’ll find a folder inside Pictures called Screenshots. You’ll find your screenshot there. Take as many screenshots as you want this way, Windows will save them all in C:\Users\Your User Name\Pictures\Screenshots  as screenshot(1),png, screenshot(2).png, screenshot(3).png, and so on. And, yes, of course, you can rename them.

5 Quick and Easy Windows 10 Tips Cloudeight
Above: The folder in Pictures that Windows creates automatically to store screenshots you create this way.

5 Quick and Easy Windows 10 Tips Cloudeight
Above: A full-screen screenshot we created using the Windows Key + PrntScr key.

3. Open the Properties Dialog of Any File or Folder Using the ALT Key

Did you know that you can open the “Properties” dialog of any file or folder in File Explorer by holding down the ALT key and clicking on it?. You can and it’s a super fast way to do it. Try it. Open File Explorer (Windows Key + E). Now hold down the ALT key and click on any file or folder. Voila! The file or folder’s “Properties” dialog will open.

5 Quick and Easy Windows 10 Tips Cloudeight

Sometimes the best Windows tips and tricks are the easiest ones.

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Want more computer tips & tricks?

Windows 10 Color Filters

Install the New Chromium-based Edge Browser for Windows 10

We have thousands of Windows tips, tricks and more on our InfoAve web site. Come see for yourself!

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Cloudeight Direct Computer Care SeniorPass

Includes "Anytime Repair" with Our Unattended Support Feature!

SeniorPass: A Great Deal for Our Friends 60 and Older!

With our Cloudeight Direct Computer Care SeniorPass, our friends age 60 and older get one full year of unlimited computer care and repair for one low price. With our SeniorPass you'll get the best computer care anywhere - any time you need it!

SeniorPass is valid for unlimited computer care & repair sessions for one full year starting with the first time you use it. The clock does not start ticking until you use your SeniorPass for the first time. A great deal!

Having SeniorPass is just like having insurance for your computer. You'll get one full year of computer care and get help with almost any computer problem whenever you need it. We're here to help you.

Computer care & repair for one full year just $99!  Check out our SeniorPass offer right now!

Get your SeniorPass and/or get more information here. 

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Cloudeight InfoAve Premium -Tips & Tricks

uBlock Origin: An Ad Blocker You’ll Love

We understand why websites display ads… our site does. It’s a source of revenue. But some sites get carried away. And we don’t understand that because it ruins it for everybody. Why sites would display so many ads as to annoy its visitors is beyond my comprehension. Some sites have so many flashing, floating, content-burying ads, they are almost impossible to use. It makes no sense. Yet, there are tens of thousands of Web sites that cram so many ads on one page you can hardly see the page.

So we totally understand why so many of you use ad blockers. Today we’re going to tell you about an ad blocker called uBlock Origin which is the best ad blocker we’ve ever tested.

uBlock Origin was suggested to us by David Biggar, a security expert at Emsisoft. Having a recommendation from someone like David gets our attention. So we decided to take a look and see what uBlock Origin is all about. We were impressed.

We know many of you use AdBlock Plus – it’s the most popular ad blocker, by far. But like a lot of programs that started out free, they discovered a way to make money while staying free – and there is nothing wrong with that. However, if you use AdBlock Plus, you’ve probably noticed you still see some ads. This is because some advertisers pay AdBlock Plus not to block their ads. AdBlock Plus calls these ads “Acceptable”

uBlock Origin is totally free – and blocks all ads. There are no acceptable ads. It also allows you more control over website and also allows you to pinpoint and block annoying page content. It also allows users to whitelist sites so those sites’ ads are displayed. Why would you want to whitelist a site? Well, for example, we make a little bit each month for the ads displayed on our site. We don’t use floating ads, popup ads, interstitial ads, or any ads that distract from the content. We need the little bit of revenue these ads generate. So you can help us by not blocking ads on our site. With uBlock Origin, it’s as easy as adding “thundercloud.net” to uBlock Origin’s whitelist. We’ll tell you more about that a bit later.

Let’s take a closer look at uBlock Origin.

uBlock Origin works in Chrome, Chromium-based browsers, Firefox, Opera, and the current version of Edge.

We installed it from the Chrome Web Store in the Dev version of the new Chromium-based Edge. If you’re using Chrome or the new Chromium-based Edge (beta) you can open your browser and navigate to http://tinyurl.com/mg6fabu You’ll be able to install the extension directly from that page. If you’re using Firefox, Opera, or the current version (non-beta version) of Edge, we have links for you near the bottom of this article.

Cloudeight Freeware Pick - uBlock Origin

Installing it in Chrome and the dev (beta) version of Edge was quick and simple.

Cloudeight Freeware Pick - uBlock Origin

Above: As you browse the web you’ll see how many ads and requests were blocked – both from the page you’re on and the total number of items blocked since installation.  We had only been using uBlock Origin for about 10 minutes and it had already blocked 422 ads and page requests.

Below: You can see from the screenshots below, that uBlock Origin is easy to configure the way you want it.

Cloudeight Freeware Pick - uBlock Origin

Cloudeight Freeware Pick - uBlock Origin

Above: uBlock Origin gives you a lot of control over the types of elements blocked.  You can see we’re about to block “large media elements”. In other words those annoying video ads you see on many pages.

Cloudeight Freeware Pick - uBlock Origin

Cloudeight Freeware Pick - uBlock Origin

Cloudeight Freeware Pick - uBlock Origin

Cloudeight Freeware Pick - uBlock Origin

There are even more settings available on the uBlock Origin dashboard.  To open the Dashboard, click on the uBlock Origin icon in your browser, then click “slider-bar” icon in uBlock Origin.

Cloudeight Freeware Pick uBlock Origin

The dashboard (shown below) will open.

Cloudeight Freeware Pick - uBlock Origin
Above: uBlock Origin offers even more customization from the Dashboard. 

Below: If you’re not sure what a setting does — “Cosmetic filtering” for example — just click the encircled “i” for more details and information.

Cloudeight Freeware Pick - uBlock Origin

Finally, if you want to exempt web site from ad filtering – in other words, you want to support a small site by allowing advising on a site, it’s easy to do. In the uBlock Origin dashboard, click on the “Whitelist” tab. Type site’s URL (minus the http:// or https://, and www) you want to allow to show you ads. As you can see in the screenshot below, I’ve added thundercloud.net to whitelist. If you install uBlock Origin, please consider adding us to the Whitelist. If you have a Cloudeight SeniorPass, we’ll be glad to configure uBlock Origin for you.

Cloudeight Freeware Pick - uBlock Origin

uBlock Origin is freeware and available for most popular browsers.

Here are the download links for all supported browsers

Chrome & Chromium-based Edge 
http://tinyurl.com/mg6fabu

Firefox
http://tinyurl.com/pcsq2p8

Opera
https://addons.opera.com/en/extensions/details/ublock/

Microsoft Edge (non-Chromium/Standard Edge)
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/ublock-origin/9nblggh444l4 

Thanks to David Biggar from Emsisoft for bringing uBlock Origin to our attention.

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Reg Organizer: Cloudeight recommended and endorsed.

Now available: Reg Organizer 8.26

If you purchased or renewed Reg Organizer through Cloudeight within the last 12 months, you're entitled to a free version upgrade to Reg Organizer 8.25.

Save $14 on Reg Organizer right now!

Reg Organizer - A Swiss Army Knife of Windows Tools - Works Great on Windows 10!

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Cloudeight InfoAve Premium - Essays , Rants, etc. 

Rain Puddles

It’s spring and when I walk I often see rain puddles everywhere. Now I avoid them, but when I was a kid I loved jumping in them. Have you jumped in a rain puddle lately? Have you ever noticed them? Do you think there are rain puddles in heaven?

So often we get caught up in our own concerns; we get caught in the trap of our busy lives, in the tangled web of our own routines, and in the worries and the concerns we face. I don’t know if there are rain puddles in Heaven or not, but I know for sure there are rain puddles right here on Earth.

I can’t remember the last time I even looked at rain puddles — those dancing street-side pools full of reflections, so utterly quiescent on a gentle late-spring evening. When I was a kid I used to jump in them and ride my bike through them. But now I cannot remember the last time I wanted to jump in one.

How sadly grown-up I’ve become. Now I avoid those rain puddles as much as I can. But when we are children we can’t resist splashing in those rain puddles that spring up after a brief but furious summer thunderstorm. Rain puddles shimmering, the air fresh with the scent of rain, the storm has past and it’s rumbling its way to another town, leaving behind rain puddles, just right for jumping into.

How many rain puddles have you jumped in lately? You probably avoid them just like I do...

Read the rest of this essay here.

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Cloudeight InfoAve Premium - Back to Basics

What are Windows lifecycles?

Windows Lifecycles are special bicycles with brightly colored Windows logos on them - even the pedals are shaped just like the Windows start button. Darcy has several of them and rides them in the circus.

NO! NO! NO! Just kidding.

According to Microsoft:

"Every Windows product has a lifecycle. The lifecycle begins when a product is released and ends when it's no longer supported. Knowing key dates in this lifecycle helps you make informed decisions about when to upgrade or make other changes to your software.

End of support

End of support refers to the date when Microsoft no longer provides automatic fixes, updates, or online technical assistance. This is the time to make sure you have the latest available update or service pack installed. Without Microsoft support, you will no longer receive security updates that can help protect your PC from harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software that can steal your personal information..."
Now here's the stuff you really want to know - the end of support for your version of Windows:

Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 (SP1) - January 14, 2020

Windows 8.1 - January 10, 2023

Windows 10 Version Lifecycles

Windows 10 1507 (original Windows 10) 5/9/2017 (no longer supported)
Windows 10 1511 (November Update) 4/10/2018
Windows 10 1607 (Anniversary Update) 2/2/2019
Windows 10 1703 (Creators Update) 10/5/2019
Windows 10 1709 (Fall Creators Update) 4/17/2020
Windows 10 1803 (April 2018 Update) 10/30/2020
Windows 10 1809 (October 2018 Update) April 2021 (estimated)
Windows 10 1903 (May 2019 Update) October 2021 (estimated)

And now you're up-to-date on Microsoft Windows lifecycles.

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Reg Organizer 8.20: Reg Organizer is the Swiss Army Knife of Windows tools. It's far more than just a registry optimizer and cleaner... it's Windows all-in-one toolkit. Helps you keep your computer in tip-top shape and helps solve annoying Windows problems. Reg Organizer works great with Windows 10 too! Get more information about Reg Organizer (and get our special discount prices) here.

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We hope you have enjoyed this issue of InfoAve Premium. Thanks so much for your support and for being a Premium subscriber.

Have a great weekend.

Darcy & TC
Cloudeight InfoAve Premium - Issue  #811
Volume 16 Number 27
April 26, 2019

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