Futurelawyer

I Switched From Chrome To Edge And That Is A Good Thing.

Why I Stopped Using Chrome And Switched To Edge. When my last computer crashed, it occurred to me that I had been having a lot of problems with Google Chrome lately. It was bloated, buggy, and used a lot of system resources. I had dabbled with Microsoft Edge lately, and found that, being based on the Chromium core, Microsoft had made a browser that was faster, smoother, and less buggy than Chrome. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and Microsoft has been spending a lot of time and money making a browser that could compete. I decided that my new computer build wouldn't involve Chrome at all. While I kept the Google Gemini AI search engine, and still live in the Googleverse for email and calendaring, I liked the fact that Edge is designed to live in my Microsoft OS, and, so far, is a superior experience to Chrome. That is difficult for me to admit, since I have been a Chrome evangelist since the beginning. In recent years, however, Google has failed to be the leading innovator that it once was, and I am now recommending Edge as the default browser. I should note that I have not had a system crash since I started to use Edge exclusively. Knock on wood, of course.

                                                                                                                           

A Big Windows Update Is On The Way.

Windows Big 24H2 Update Is On The Way. Keep an eye out for the new, big Windows update that is rolling out now. A revamped Quick Settings screen, and smoother functions are just two of the updates coming. An easier WiFi refresh button will make it less cumbersome to find WiFi in a crowded venue, and other improvements will make your experience better. Check out this article for all the new stuff.

 

Goodnight, Sweet Passwords. May Flights Of Passkeys Sing Thee To Thy Rest.

FIDO Alliance Passkeys - Death Of The Password. Since the beginnings of my computing life, passwords have been the biggest bottleneck in my computer use. As lawyers, we are required to keep our clients' data confidential. But, we need to take advantage of the tech that allows us to store that data in an efficient way. Security keys like passwords became ubiquitous when millions of users started using computers simultaneously. However, long, complicated passwords are difficult to remember, and we have all had the experience of forgetting one that kept us from our data. Methods to make passwords more secure just added layers of complexity. The next great invention, multi-factor authentication, required access to a second device, like a phone, to gain access to our data, which is fine; but cumbersome, and a real pain if the second device isn't readily available. When serving in my second job, which is as Diane's computer guru, I always seem to be in one room with the offending device, while she is God knows where with the authentication device. I have been known to scream out in pain while trying to keep her devices functioning. So, I have been pleasantly surprised by the ease of switching to passkeys, which are simple codes that can be used on devices like Apple or Windows machines, after a more rigorous login procedure has been accomplished. Passkeys are a nod to the public-private key encryption scheme. Both a public and private key combination are established the first time a password authentication scheme is used, and that key can later be used to simplify data access. So, if your Windows installation asks you if you want to set up a passkey for a site, say yes. It will make your life easier, and more secure, in the future.

#TBT - Stardock Start 11 - Customize Your Desktop.

Start 11. One of the first programs I install when I get a new computer is Start 11 from Stardock. I hate the tiled interface, and I bought this little $5 program when Windows 7's efficient lower left interface went away some years ago. It is still only $5.99, and it transforms the way I interact with the computer. Microsoft ruined the beautiful, simple lower left menu buttons when it went with the ugly tiles. Of course, interfaces are a highly personal thing, and Stardock recognizes that, giving you the option to pick and choose how your menu system looks and works. For six bucks, your regain control over your computer use. Thanks, Stardock.

Sixty Days With The New Samsung Galaxy Book 3 360 Laptop.

Well, I am into the third month with my new Galaxy Book 3 360, and it has not disappointed. It is a premium laptop, and, at 2.5 pounds is light enough to carry anywhere. I opted for the smaller version, 13.3 inch screen, both for portability, and lower cost. I anticipate this laptop being my principal computer for the foreseeable future. This is a great video review that I recommend watching before you purchase. I disagree with the negative comments about fingerprints on the computer. My feeling about that is "Who cares?" But, we all have our little pet peeves. If you are more concerned about weight, beautiful screen, and premium features, this is a great choice. FutureLawyer approved.

 

Make Your Windows Computer Work Like You Want It To.

Microsoft Power Toys. Power Toys is a Microsoft utility that contains many ways to customize your Windows computer. Want to make your machine yours? The Power Toys tools are the way. You can resize screens, make windows show always on top, quickly mute video conferences (avoids embarrassment), create keyboard shortcuts, launch apps instantaneously with a key combination, rename files in bulk, and a host of other cool functions. Install it. Play with it. Enjoy power and toys. What more could you want?

Stardock Start 11 - Control Your Windows 11 Interface.

Stardock Start 11. One of the first programs I install when I get a new computer is Start 11 from Stardock. I hate the tiled interface, and I bought this little $5 program when Windows 7's efficient lower left interface went away some years ago. It is still only $5.99, and it transforms the way I interact with the computer. Microsoft ruined the beautiful, simple lower left menu buttons when it went with the ugly tiles. Of course, interfaces are a highly personal thing, and Stardock recognizes that, giving you the option to pick and choose how your menu system looks and works. For six bucks, your regain control over your computer use. Thanks, Stardock.

Be A Windows God With One Click Of Your Mouse.

How to Enable God Mode In Windows. Windows is a complicated operating system, and there are literally hundreds of options that can be optimized or tweaked to suit your personal preferences. But, what a pain it is to find one when you need it. What if you want to auto-hide the taskbar? It will get you some more screen real estate, for sure. Of course, some of us like having all our program options visible at all times. In any event, good luck remembering how to get to the taskbar settings, along with dozens of other tasks. The good news is that the Vista inspired God mode, which puts just about every Windows command in one place, has survived all the way to the current Windows 11, and you can install it free and easily. Tom's Guide is a great site, and the instructions are online. Be a computer god. You know you want to.

Are You A Tab Switcher Or A Desktop Switcher? Windows Tip Of The Day.

How to Use Virtual Desktops In Windows. We humans are creatures of habit. We will continue doing things the same way because they are familiar, even though much more efficient methods of getting work done appear. Lawyers spend a lot of time in front of computer screens these days, and, for many, it was a tough slog to learn the habits required to be efficient in front of a computer monitor. However, some old habits serve us well, such as skill with a modern keyboard. Keyboard shortcuts take a while, but forcing habitual use can be helpful. Many of us are not familiar with a more common tip, using more than one desktop. Virtual desktops can act like 2 or 3 computers in one, and are available with the click of a mouse. Just click the little taskview button on the taskbar, and add a desktop by pressing the plus virtual screen. Voila, a new desktop that, like a blank canvas, is ready for any app you want to run. Go back and forth between desktops to have a full screen for any endeavor. This was introduced in Windows 10 and works fine in Windows 11. Learn new habits. The old ones are wasting precious minutes of your life that you will never get back.

Do You Know Where Your Data Is?

Acronis True Image Is Where My Data Is. I am always preaching about data back up, because the digital space is invisible to us, and we keep our lives there. My question isn't completely rhetorical. I really do want to know where my essential data is, all the time, every time. Storage is key. I keep much of my data safe by storing it on Micro SDs, USB drives, and in the cloud. The more places it is stored, the better the likelihood I can find it in a catastrophe. One method I have used is to create a digital image of my drives on a regular basis. While I have recently been using the Windows based imaging app, it was failing on a regular basis, and I didn't trust it anymore. So, I spent $49.99 on an old faithful, Acronis True Image, now named Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office. I don't need the Anti Virus and Cyber Protection functions, since I have Malwarebytes for that; but, the imaging and other security tools are second to none. It keeps as running image of my drive on a 2 Terabyte USB external drive, and a backup image on my portable 2 Terabyte drive that I carry around. It works in the background, and, since I have it scheduled every night at 2 in the morning, I never have to follow it around. It never ceases to amaze me that otherwise intelligent people, who install security systems on their homes and offices, and fancy locks on their doors, don't do rudimentary things to protect their lifeblood data. No more preaching. I will just lead by example. If you don't follow, that is on you.