The Wise-Old-Blogger's Blog for Seniors

How to Add Quick Launch to Windows 7 task bar

2011-05-14T15:06:00.003-08:00

Quick Launch is located under your user profile at AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch.

To add to the task bar:

Right click on a empty space on the taskbar, then select Toolbars, and New Toolbar. Read more at Windows SevenForums.com.

Internet Explorer 9 is safer...

2010-12-27T20:23:00.012-09:00

Something NEW with Internet Explorer called "Tracking Protection" which allows users to automatically block or allow ads from frequently visited web sites that use tracking cookies. To get started with IE-9 Tracking Protection, head to Tools > Tracking Protection. There will be a “Your Personalized List” where you click on the Settings button to set a threshold to automatically or manually block content based on how often it’s displayed. Right click to enable or disable any Tracking Protection List. source: http://mintywhite.com/

Internet Explorer 9 offers all of the safety features of IE-8, and more! Internet Explorer is faster and safer than it used to be: When combined with Windows 7, IE-9 provides 256-bit encryption. That's not bad when compared with FireFox (Mozilla) 128-bit and Google's Chrome, 128-bit.

Are FireFox and Chrome safer than Windows 7 running IE 8? Maybe not. Compare Windows 7 with Chrome and Firefox, here. And, Compare three versions of Windows 7, here.

Microsoft's Windows 7 Help & How-to. A-Z Microsoft list of Win 7 Commands.
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New Caution for Reverse Mortgages

2010-12-18T21:11:00.001-09:00

"... concerns are mounting that an increasing number of seniors are being misled into signing up for a complicated financial product that may squander their equity prematurely or put them at risk for losing their homes." Read the 12/10/2010 report in .pdf here.

The press release here:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/reverse-mortgages-can-come-with-big-risks--high-costs-for-seniors-111443634.html

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Windows 7 tip UAC

2010-06-19T19:35:00.004-08:00

If Windows 7 dims the desktop and requires your permission to run too many programs -- Try changing the User Account Control Settings. Click Start > In the "Search Programs and Files" box, type UAC (upper or lower case) > Choose User Account Control Settings at the top of the list, then move the slider to a lower "notify" level. Works great!

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Health Reform, Medicare Advantage, and Care for America’s Seniors...

2010-04-27T20:02:00.004-08:00

Source: FavStocks.com

"When it comes to Medicare Advantage, the new law simply puts these privately-administered plans on equal footing with traditional Medicare by cutting wasteful subsidies that pad insurance company profits. And a news story out yesterday makes it clear, in the words of the insurance company executives and health care experts, that Medicare Advantage plans and the seniors who use them won’t be hurt by the health reform law..." Read more...

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Microsoft's fighting malware

2010-03-15T17:19:00.001-08:00

Microsoft is now offering a free antivirus and antispyware download that receives automatic updates and includes 'real time' protection. Check out Microsoft Security Essentials.

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Digital TV or Cable on your PC

2009-11-24T00:01:00.007-09:00

Record Digital TV, live from your PC, and when combined with Windows Media Center and Windows Vista or Windows 7 -- Wow! ...read more.

If you have digital TV in your area, Amazon.com offers TV Tuners for PC's (We're trying the USB stick with an antenna on our home PC). Of course reception depends upon signal strength, but many of these new digital tuners offer a choice of Antenna or Cable "source".
See examples for sale.

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Healthcare scams rise during open enrollment

2009-10-27T21:41:00.006-08:00

LA Times article says "Seniors should be wary of healthcare pitches" especially during open enrollment. Here are some of the highlights:

To better protect themselves, consumers should consider these tips:
- Make sure the salesperson is a licensed insurance agent.
- Do not respond to "cold calls," which are prohibited by law.
- Don't give out personal information such as Social Security or Medicare numbers.
- Do not accept "free lunches," which are not allowed.
- Don't buy any additional insurance-related products.
- Read and understand the health insurance plan.
- Call Medicare at (800) MEDICARE (633-4227) with questions or complaints.

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SAD? Bright light helps Seniors, too.

2009-06-07T17:57:00.004-08:00

"Environmental light affects the body's 24-hour biological clock, also known as the circadian rhythm." Read the article here.

Alzheimer's symptoms are remarkably similar to normal aging. But, with new treatment it’s more important than ever that you recognize early symptoms and get help as soon as possible. See the WebMD video here.

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Non-profit for Seniors tackles Elder Law issues

2009-06-07T17:32:00.001-08:00

"Older Adults are faced with many challenges, which directly impact their quality of life: They must plan for the future and deal with the present." Some important Elder Law issues are addressed here: http://www.help4srs.org/ H.E.L.P. is Helping People Meet Aging-Related Legal and Care Challenges.

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Microsoft's Threat Research and Response Center

2009-06-07T17:16:00.006-08:00

The Wise Old Blogger offers help for Seniors: "Microsoft has a new Threat Research and Response Center where you can Scan your computer for Spyware and settle your nerves about others getting information from your computer. The Microsoft Malware Protection Portals main page."

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Seniors are victims of common fraud schemes

2009-05-11T15:12:00.005-08:00

The FBI says that older Americans are targeted by scam artists and tricksters because of their good credit and because many of them have a "nest egg".

"The fraudster will focus his/her efforts on the segment of the population most likely to be in a financial position to buy something."

Visit this FBI web site to learn more about the growing Senior Citizen Fraud problem. Read about the most common schemes and find FBI Tips to Avoiding Health Insurance Frauds and other excellent information:

http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/seniorsfam.htm

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Are older people mixing the wrong medications? A recent study says they are.

2009-05-10T19:12:00.010-08:00

According to a recent study of 3000 people in the 57 to 85 year-old age group, millions of "...older Americans are taking a combination of drugs or supplements that can be a risky mix -- from blood thinners and cholesterol pills to aspirin and ginkgo capsules -- a new study warns".

The study reported in the AARPBulletintoday offers a web link for consumers to enter names of their medications to check for any potentially dangerous interactions. Type the name of your medication here to look for dangerous interactions with other medications: http://www.consumermedsafety.org. And, for "Consumer information on dangerous drugs and medication errors", see http://drugdanger.com.

Other related links:

JAMA: http://jama.ama-assn.org/
Institute for Safe Medication Practices: http://www.ismp.org/
AARPBulletinToday: http://bulletin.aarp.org/

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AntiSpyware Tools and free PC Tune up from Microsoft ...

2009-05-10T12:05:00.007-08:00

Find AntiSpyware Tools and Resources for beginners and experts at Microsoft's Malware Protection Center where Windows Defender is an up to date free download.

Also, check out the Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner, a free online scan from Microsoft for viruses, spyware, and potentially unwanted software. There are free PC Clean up and Tune up links in the left margin on the same page.

Microsoft is now offering a free antivirus and antispyware download that receives automatic updates and includes 'real time' protection. Check out MS Security Essentials.

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Our NEW Online & Secure Shopping Store

2009-05-10T05:42:00.009-08:00

Our new Amazon.com online Store now features the Kindle DX. The Kindle DX is BIGGER for easier reading, from 6" to 9.7" The new, larger Kindle is available here.

Click this link to visit our Online Store.

Featured for Safe, Secure, Online Shopping: Computers & Software, Books, Books & more Books, The Kindle Store, Health & Personal Care, Camera & Photo, Music, DVD, Office Products and Supplies including Printer Ink Cartidges, Electronics, Sports & Outdoors and Cell Phones & Service.

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F-A-S-T Computer Cleanup

2009-05-10T05:38:00.003-08:00

CCleaner - formerly Crap Cleaner is F-A-S-T. Download here. Windows applications run normally after cleanup with CCleaner defaults checked and it's a Registry Cleaner, too.

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Encrypt everything!

2009-05-10T05:30:00.006-08:00

Encrypt everything you type in a browser (including e-mail) with KeyScrambler. Internet Browsers supported: Internet Explorer, FireFox, Opera, Safari... more.
Microsoft is now offering a free antivirus and antispyware program that receives automatic updates and includes 'real time' protection. Check out MS Security Essentials.
Visit the Wise Old Blogger's home page for Seniors.

Wireless Doorbell "panic" button idea

2009-05-09T20:30:00.007-08:00

We may have stumbled on to an excellent "panic button" idea that is probably already well known. But, we would like to share it with everyone:

Wireless doorbell chimes are available at major hardware and variety stores and usually cost less than $20.00; included is a self-stick doorbell button that can be mounted on the dresser or even bed frame of an ailing friend. When your help is needed, they press the "panic" button and the chime, which is plugged in to a wall outlet within earshot, then sounds LOUDLY enough to get almost anyone's attention. Great idea if you are in the same home or building and within wireless range of the Chime. View a variety of brand name Doorbell Chimes to order online from the Wise Old Blogger's safe & secure Amazon store.

5/13/09
A Wise Old Blogger fan of our Seniors Blog suggested that a video Baby Monitor is another excellent idea for home health care.

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