Recently my sister-in-law called me with the following problem: her daughter had a Word Document that she needed to work on for homework, but she could not get Microsoft Office to run because the version that came with her Dell PC was asking for a product key and she was having trouble locating it. I told her to try OpenOffice.org instead of rummaging through the house looking for the missing product key.

OpenOffice.org office suite is the freeware alternative to Microsoft Office. While Microsoft Office has many features tailored to business use, OpenOffice.org has all the features necessary for home users and can be used in an office environment as well. I have been using it exclusively for two years now and am very happy with it. Take it for a test-run and decide for yourself. The price (free) is hard to beat and the quality of the software is outstanding.

OpenOffice.org includes the following programs:

OpenOffice.org Launcher: Makes it easy to choose a new document type, but individual OpenOffice programs can be started without the use of the launcher.

Writer: Word Processor equivalent to Microsoft Word and Corel WordPerfect. It can open and edit Word Documents and Wordperfect Documents. It can also save in DOC (Microsoft Office) format but not in WPD (Corel WordPerfect) format.

Impress: Presentation program similar to Microsoft PowerPoint. It can open and view PowerPoint Presentations. Additionally, presentations can be saved as Flash (SWF) so that they can be viewed in any PC with Flash Player installed.

Calc: Spreadsheet program comparable to Microsoft Excel. Can open Excel Spreadsheets and is feature-rich.

Base: Database program equivalent to Microsoft Access.

Draw: Vector Graphics program similar to Microsoft Visio and Microsoft Publisher.

Math: Program for mathematical formula creation comparable to Microsoft Equation Editor.

OpenOffice.org is a very robust Office Suite with the ability to save documents as PDF with just one click:

The settings are extremely customizable and can be set to automatically save as Microsoft Word Document format (DOC) by going to Tools, Options from within any OpenOffice.org program. Click the plus sign next to: Load/Save, then choose General to edit the file format options (see screen shot below). Choose: Always save as Microsoft Word 97/2000/XP, then click OK.

If you install it and decide it's not for you, OpenOffice.org can be easily uninstalled via Add/Remove Programs. You have nothing to lose, try OpenOffice.org today.

• IE 8 Beta 2 - Two Thumbs Up!
• Backup IE Favorites or Cookies
• Flash Player Security Update
• Full Restore

The vulnerability can allow a malicious remote user to gain access to your computer. You can read more about the vulnerability at the Microsoft Security Bulletin Page.

Visit Windows Update to install the update as soon as possible.

• Update Flash Now!
• Windows XP SP3
• Windows 7
• Software Security

Read more about the warning and download the updated version of Flash by visiting the Flash Player update bulletin page.

In order to reduce your vulnerability to Clickjacking, it is currently recommended that you promptly apply security updates to vulnerable software and use Firefox with the NoScript extension to browse the internet.

If you do not want to use another browser, here are ways to mitigate your Clickjacking risk with other browsers.

Note:
If you have Firefox, Safari or Opera installed in addition to Internet Explorer, you need to also download the flash player with that particular browser to be fully protected). You can uncheck the Google Toolbar so that it does not get installed (it's not needed for Flash to function).

• Flash Player Security Update
• Firefox 3 Rocks
• Windows Security Update KB958644
• Software Security

Exporting your settings to a backup location is a simple task and well worth the effort, especially if you're like me and have many email accounts.

Here's how to do it in three easy steps:

1. From within Outlook Express, go to Tools and click Accounts.

   

2. Choose the Mail tab. Highlight the account you wish to export and click the Export button.

   

3. Browse to the location you wish to save the backup to, then click the Save button.

Repeat steps 2 and 3 for every account you wish to export.

Once you have your Outlook Express Account Settings saved you can use them to import your setting to a new PC, an additional PC or if you ever need to restore your email accounts. Importing the settings is as easy as exporting them.

To restore the Email Accounts without using additional software:

1. From within Outlook Express, go to Tools and click Accounts.
2. Choose the Mail tab. Click the Import button.
3. Browse to the location where you saved the backup and click the Open button.

Note: Exporting and saving your Account Settings will NOT save your emails or mail rules, you will need to do that separately. To learn how to backup your Outlook Express Emails, see Outlook Express Backup.

• Outlook Express Backup
• Backup IE Favorites or Cookies
• Full Restore
• Firefox 3 Rocks

Outlook Express stores each folder (inbox, outbox, sent mail, etc) in separate DBX files. In order to back-up all email folders (recommended), all you need to do is make a copy of the entire Outlook Express folder (located in C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR USER NAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{VERY LONG NUMBER}\Microsoft\).

After right-clicking and choosing copy from the context menu, paste the folder into the back-up location of your choice. The back-up should be in a different partition, hard drive or CD/DVD to keep it protected if anything should happen to your main drive.

That was pretty easy, wasn't it? Now that you have your Outlook Express folder safely tucked away you're probably wondering how you would go about restoring it if need be. Don't worry, it's not too difficult.

There are actually two methods of restoring your emails:

1. The simplest way is to make sure Outlook Express is not open (running), then copying the entire folder and pasting it back into it's main location (C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR USER NAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{VERY LONG NUMBER}\Microsoft\). I recommend you delete the current Outlook Express folder before pasting the back-up (to prevent conflicts).

   Note: If you're restoring your emails to a new PC or another Outlook Express identity, this method will not work. Follow method #2.

2. Another way to restore the folders and their emails is to open Outlook Express, go to File, Import, Messages.

   

   Select Microsoft Outlook Express 6 from the choices given and click Next.

   Choose Import from an OE6 store directory (see screen-shot), then click OK.

   

   Browse to the location where you have the Outlook Express back-up. Once you find the folder, highlight it and choose OK, then choose Next.

   In the dialog that follows, choose All folders (to restore them all) or choose the specific folder(s) you wish to import (to select more than one folder, hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard while clicking with the mouse on the folders). Click Next, then Finish.

In addition to backing-up your Outlook Express Emails, you can also back-up Outlook Express Account Settings in three easy steps which will make transferring your account settings a breeze.

• Outlook Express Account Settings
• Full Restore
• Backup IE Favorites or Cookies
• Backup Your PC - You’ll be thankful you did

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware specializes in finding and eradicating malware. The program scans your computer for malware and if found, gives you the option to remove it. The free version, available for download from the Malwarebytes' website, has the following limitations: manual scanning, no scheduling or automatic updates (updates and scans must be done manually). It allows you to manually scan for and remove malware already present in your system but does not stop malware from being installed because it does not include the Realtime Protection Module. For most people the limitations in the free version pose no problems but if you prefer to have real-time protection, scheduled scanning and scheduled updating, the one time fee for the paid (registered) version is only $24.95.

Once the software is installed, you will have two methods of running a scan:

1. Opening the program (found in your start menu) will take you to the Scanner Tab where you will chose from either a quick scan or a full scan. I recommend a full scan for a first time scan. Once you are sure there is no hidden malware lurking about, you can choose to perform quick scans which are much faster.

   

   When the scan completes you will get a summary stating length of time for the scan and it's results:

   

2. Right-clicking any file will give you the option to scan it with Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. A few seconds is all it takes to scan individual files in this manner.

   

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is a great tool to add to your online protection arsenal. It does not interfere with your AntiVirus or Internet Security Suit (it will not cause conflicts with them) and is an excellent layer of protection to add to your computer. Run the software at least once a month or more often if you'd prefer. The quick scan takes only a few minutes and is time well spent for your peace of mind and safety online.

To read more about the software or download, visit the Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware website.

• No Viruses Allowed
• Spyware Prevention with Spywareblaster
• Firefox 3 Rocks
• Software Security

Microsoft recently released Internet Explorer 8 beta 2 for public download. I'm currently using it and must say that I'm very impressed. Aside from numerous security improvements and increased performance there are also a slew of cool features that have been implemented in the new browser. Here are just a few:

Web Accelerators:

Web Accelerators are shortcuts to on-line services that are often used. For example, if you're constantly checking word definitions, you can use an accelerator for Wikipedia or Dictionary.com that will enable you to highlight a word on a webpage and find it's meaning with just two clicks. Whenever you highlight a word with your mouse, you are presented with a cool blue arrow icon that once clicked, will give you options for your selected text (see screenshot below). Install as many accelerators as you wish, they can be easily managed or removed altogether.

Tab Grouping:

It is now extremely simple to keep track of what sites belong together. Links that are opened from a particular page will all have the same color tab. Additionally, you'll have many useful options when right-clicking any of the tabs.

Automatic Crash Recovery:

If you are like me and love to browse with many tabs open at the same time, this new feature will make you very happy. Crashes are confined so that if Internet Explorer crashes, only that particular tab crashes. The tab that crashed is then reloaded so that you'll be on the page you were viewing before the crash.

Compatibility View:

Because Internet Explorer uses updated Website rendering, some websites may look strange or may warn you that you are using an unsupported browser. For these websites that don't work properly, there is compatibility view. To activate Compatibility View for a website, just click the little broken page icon at the end of your address bar.

I've mentioned only a few of the great new features in Internet Explorer 8. To read about all the juicy details or to download Internet Explorer and try it out for yourself, you can go to the Internet Explorer Home Page. If you install it and decide not to keep it, you can easily revert back to a previous version by uninstalling Internet Explorer 8 via Windows Add and Remove.

Tips:

1. The first time Internet Explorer is started after installation, you will be greeted by a setup wizard that will ask you, among other things, if you'd like to enable Suggested Sites. If activated, Internet Explorer will use your browsing history to suggest other sites you might enjoy viewing. I find no use for that feature, therefore I checked NO so that it would remain disabled. If you change your mind later on, adjust the Suggested Sites setting in your Internet Explorer Tools menu.
2. To find more accelerators for you new installation of Internet Explorer visit the IE Accelerator Gallery.

Note: Beta software is used for testing before final release and can sometimes have bugs or instability. However, this beta version of Internet Explorer has been very stable on all four of our PCs at home and has caused no problems whatsoever. I highly recommend it.

• Firefox 3 Rocks
• Spyware Prevention with Spywareblaster
• OpenOffice.org: Simply Perfect
• Backup IE Favorites or Cookies

If you'd like to replace (overwrite) the files that already exist all you have to do is click the Yes to All button. If however, you don't want to overwrite them, there is no obvious way to enable No to All.

Although it's hidden, there is a simple way to enable No to All so that you don't get bombarded with overwrite confirmations.

• Hold down the Shift Key while you click the No button and you will activate No to All for the current task:

This will allow you to keep any files that are already present without having to click no many times. You’ll be able to use this trick whenever you want to prevent constant pop-ups when moving or copying files with Windows Explorer.

• Spyware Prevention with Spywareblaster
• Windows 7
• Outlook Express Backup
• Backup IE Favorites or Cookies

To back-up Favorites:

1. Open Internet Explorer, go to File, click Import and Export:
   
2. The Import/Export Wizard will launch. Click Next.
3. From the options presented, choose: Export Favorites. Click next:
   
4. If you only want to export a specific folder choose it, otherwise, leave the default (favorites) to export all your favorites. Click Next.
5. Browse to the folder you will be using for your backup, choose open to open the folder and save to save your option. Click Next button.
6. Click the Finish button to complete the Exporting Wizard.

To back-up Cookies:

1. Follow steps 1 and 2 above.
2. Choose Export Cookies from the options shown. Click Next.
3. Follow steps 4 and 5 above.

Restoring Favorites or Cookies is as simple as running the Import/Export Wizard and choosing Import instead of Export. Browse to your back-up location, click Open, then Next.

If you'd like to save more than just your Favorites or Cookies you can use BackRex Internet Explorer Backup. It can back-up and restore Internet Explorer favorites, settings, cookies and more.

• Outlook Express Account Settings
• Outlook Express Backup
• Full Restore
• IE 8 Beta 2 - Two Thumbs Up!

Most people fail to realize how painful a complete system restore is until they're faced with the undeniable fact that their system is about to crash and burn and they have no current backup available. Don't wait until that catastrophic day arrives and leaves you scrambling to backup your precious data while praying it's not too late.

Create a backup your most important files at least once a week by using any of the methods outlined in Backup Your PC - You’ll be thankful you did.

If your computer has reached the point of no return and your only solution is a factory restore, there are a few things you can do beforehand to make the process as painless as possible.

Find any Driver CDs that arrived with your PC when you purchased it and keep them handy (you will probably need them). If you don't have the CDs available, go to the website of your PC maker (Dell, HP, etc) and find any driver downloads available for your PC model. Download and burn them onto CD/DVD so that they will be available should you need them.

Backup your most important files (My Documents folder, email, etc). I prefer to be safe rather than sorry so I backup my system three different ways before a “clean install”. I use Acronis True Image to create an image, then I use the Windows Settings and Transfer Wizard to backup all my settings and important files. Additionally I burn onto DVD my important folders and settings. For burning DVDs and CDs I use a fantastic freeware program called CDBurnerXP.

The following are some things you might want to backup:

• My Documents folder. Note: My Pictures and My Music are both located in your My Documents folder. If you have photos or music not located in your My Documents folder back those up as well.
• Outlook Express folder (located in C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR USER NAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{VERY LONG NUMBER}\Microsoft\).
• Outlook Express settings, including Accounts and Rules.
• Internet Explorer Security settings (if you have adjusted them), Favorites, Trusted Sites and Restricted Sites.
• Many programs save their configuration settings to your User Profile (located in C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR USER NAME\Local Settings\Application Data\). Backup any folders for programs which you have modified settings.
• Any other important folders that you have created.

Although I prefer to do my backups manually, there a many who prefer not to tinker with the registry and Windows Explorer. The following freeware programs backup Internet Explorer, Outlook Express and Firebird settings:

• BackRex Internet Explorer Backup
• Amic Email Backup
• MozBackup

Keep track of what you are doing. I make a list of the folders/settings I need to backup and cross them out as they are completed.

Once you have everything backed up, you can begin the Full Restore process by following the instructions provided by your PC manufacturer. A complete factory restore usually entails booting-up with a specific Restore CD (also provided by your PC manufacturer) or running a special program via your Start Menu. Check the documentation that came with your PC or visit it's website and print or save the instructions for reference.

Restoring a PC will always involve time and effort but it no longer has to be a daunting task.

• Outlook Express Backup
• Outlook Express Account Settings
• Backup Your PC - You’ll be thankful you did
• Backup IE Favorites or Cookies