Saturday, December 20, 2008

Kim Komando Show Electronic Newsletter - Dec. 20, 2008

The Kim Komando Show

Kim's Club Shop Listen Columns Cool Sites Tips Buying Guide Video of the Day

Your e-mail address will never be sold to anyone, ever. I promise!




  Enter Kim Komando's 13th Annual Great Giveaway Sweepstakes!






 






  Soft, plush luxury robes for men and women!






  Hand-painted ceramic King of the Road Mug






  The elegant yet practical wine decanter!






  Nostalgic Tin Wine Signs Add Character to Any Room!






  Colorforms






  A Keyboard You Can Use in the Dark!



 

Dec. 20, 2008—Vol. 12, No. 51

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MERRY CHRISTMAS! JOYEUX NOELLE!
It's a special Christmas edition of the Official Kim Komando Show Weekly Newsletter! I've got plenty of festive sites, handy tips and Christmas merriment to complete your holiday! Each week, my national radio show and newsletters reach millions. Thanks for making me a small part of your Christmas!

CONTENTS -- WHAT'S IN YOUR INBOX THIS WEEK:
- ON THE QT: Over $80,000 in prizes; fun videos and freebies
- DIGITAL DIGRESSIONS: Easy and fast tips that work for you
- MY COLUMN: Online help for a tough job market
- COOL SITES: Komando Kids; and more fun stuff you'll like and use
- COOL USEFUL FUN FREEBIE: Send e-cards for free
- SECURE COMPUTING: Zero-day IE flaw patched
- YOUR WEEKLY Q&A: Browse the Web in privacy mode

Listen to Kim On Air CLICK & FIND MY NATIONAL RADIO SHOW IN YOUR HOMETOWN
With 465 radio stations throughout the United States, there's bound to be a station near you that's broadcasting my show this weekend. To find the one closest to you, click hereand you'll be magically transported to the Official Komando Radio Map. Then, join me for three fun-filled, jam-packed hours of great talk radio about the Internet, HDTVs, MP3 players, DVRs, marketing tips for your site, digital cameras, camcorders, making money online, using the Internet to save money and a bunch more!

I'd really like you to call me. After all, they call it "talk radio" for a reason. You can join in the fun. I'm sure you have at least one question about something digital. I'm here to help with unbiased advice.

HO! HO! HO! IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THIS WEEKEND'S SHOW: The Kim Komando Show "Annual Great Giveaway" continues this weekend. Details about how to enter and what you can win are a few paragraphs down. I have over $80,000 in great prizes!

HERE'S HOW TO CALL ME DURING THE SHOW
It takes just three easy steps: 1.) Call the LIVE broadcast. That's this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the East Coast, or, if you live on the West Coast, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. 2.) Know the phone number. It is, of course, toll-free 1-888-825-5254. 3.) Tell our call screener Andrew what's on your mind. That's all there is to it!

WOW! EXTRA HOUR THIS WEEKEND ONLY!
This Saturday morning, I will be taking your calls for a whole four hours! The extra hour will be broadcast when I take a winter trip in a few weeks. So, if you have a question about something digital this weekend, you have an extra hour to give me a call. That's Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the East Coast, or, if you live on the West Coast, 7 to 11 a.m. The number is the same, toll-free 1-888-825-5254.

NO PREEMPTIONS! DOWNLOAD & LISTEN WHEN YOU WANT!
Listen to my shows when and where you want. Wow! The shows sound incredible in crystal clear digital audio. It's commercial-free, too! Listen on your computer or take me with you in your MP3 player. You can even burn them to CDs and listen in the car. Click here to join Kim's Club today! It's just a few dollars per month.

SEE SOMETHING UNDERLINED? CLICK & LEARN
When something is underlined in our newsletters, click it. It's a link for you to learn more. So go ahead, click the link. Expand your horizons. You'll be glad you did!

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ON THE QT: Things I pass along just for you!

MY CHRISTMAS WISH
What could be nicer than Christmas? The winter grass growing, the palms swaying in the breeze. That's in Phoenix, of course.

Oh, I know some of you are up to your chins in ice and snow. I wish you warmth and happiness. I wish you good health so you can enjoy it all. And I wish everyone peace in their hearts and homes.

While we're making merry, let's remember our troops. Many are in harm's way. Others are based far from home.

Some people are close to home but have to work—police officers, firefighters, medical professionals, air traffic controllers, airline employees, and many, many others. God bless them all. And God bless everyone who listens to my shows and reads my newsletters. I love you all!

CHECK OUT MY NEW SMALL BUSINESS CENTER
The new year is almost upon us! It's time to take stock of your situation and plan for the future. Maybe you've decided to start your own business. That's great! Or, maybe you just want to expand a business you already own. After all, you're in it to win, right?

Running your own business is a learning process. You need to learn how to get the business off the ground. Then, you must learn how to deal with the issues that arise from time to time. So, all business owners can use a little extra help.

I can't give you all the answers you need to run your business. But I can help you find what you need. I have plenty of advice and resources in my new Small Business Center. Find out how this can help your business flourish.

'TIS THE SEASON FOR…SCAMS
I suppose cybercriminals need to buy Christmas gifts for their families, too. Each year around the holidays, you can expect more scams. That's especially true this year. The worsening economy is leading to more crime. So, you need to be extra, extra vigilant.

This week, my mother forwarded me an e-mail she received. It was purportedly from AOL. The message said that her billing information was "out of order." It urged her to update her information. The message warned that her service could be suspended. There were also vague threats about Terms of Service violations and "future problems."

The message is part of a phishing scam. I warned her not to respond to it. You should ignore similar messages should you receive them. I just wanted to give you a gentle reminder. I don't want you to remember Christmas 2008 as the year your identity was stolen!

SPEAKING OF CHRISTMAS…
My husband Barry has been hard at work writing and producing Mannheim Steamroller's An American Christmas. This national radio show is hosted by Mannheim Steamroller's Chip Davis. It features Christmas stories and Christmas music from top artists.

It's actually two shows. There is the daily show, The 12 Days of Christmas, and the 12-hour program that airs on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on more than 260 radio stations.

DOWNLOADABLE, TOO!
You can also download about an hour of the show directly from iTunes. It's commercial-free and only costs $4.99. To download it, open iTunes and click this link. Or open iTunes and search for Christmas Companion.

Enter Kim Komando's Great Giveaway Sweepstakes ONLY TWO MORE DAYS TO ENTER
Time is running out for you to win big! Sadly, my 13th Annual Kim Komando Show Great Giveaway is coming to a close. Today is the last day you can win on my national radio show.

But you can enter until midnight on Monday. Don't miss your chance! Just head to http://giveaway.komando.com and enter now!

WHAT CAN YOU WIN DURING MY GREAT GIVEAWAY?
We're giving away over 280 prizes, including 10 Grand Prizes valued between $1,000 and $4,000 each!

Here's a peek at our Grand Prizes:

    Ultimate Travel Pack: Do you like to travel? If so, you may never want to leave home without this package! It includes great items that are perfect for traveling. Plus, four Southwest Airlines roundtrip tickets are included. They'll get you to any published, scheduled destination nationwide. Value: $4,069.84

    Photographer's Dream Prize Pack: Are you an avid photographer? You'll love this prize! One lucky winner will be taking pictures with his or her new Nikon D90 Digital SLR Camera! Plus, the winner will be able to edit, print and share photos with the great prizes included! Value: $2,509.96

    Gadgets & Gizmos Prize Pack: Everyone loves gadgets and gizmos. So, we've put together some of our favorites for this grand prize. We're giving away everything from an LG 19-inch W52 LCD Monitor to Garmin's nuvi 255 GPS Navigation System! Value: $1,128

    Home Entertainment Bundle: If you like games or movies, you'll love this prize package! It includes an 80GB PlayStation3 Entertainment System, along with four PlayStation3 games, eight Universal Home Entertainment DVD movies, and 10 Big Fish Games computer games. Value: $1,073.82 

    GE Security's Simon XT Wireless Security System: Simon XT is a cost-effective wireless security system offering burglary and fire protection. Value: $2,100

    Sonos Multi-Room Music System: The Sonos Multi-Room Music System makes it easy to add music to every part of your life and every room in your house. Value: $1,715  

    The HP TouchSmart IQ506: The HP TouchSmart IQ506 is a touch-enabled PC with a 22" diagonal widescreen. Value: $1,499.99  

    Polk Audio SurroundBar 360˚ DVD Theater: Polk Audio's SurroundBar360˚ DVD Theater is the best performing single-speaker surround sound theater system on the market. Value: $1,199.99  

    TriGem's Averatec 2575 Series Notebook Computer: The new Averatec 2575 Series notebook is a full-featured machine, combining powerful dual-core processing with infotainment capabilities in an ultraportable, ultra-light form factor. Two lucky Grand Prize winners will win an Averatec 2575 Series Notebook Computer! Value: $1,099.99 

But that's not all! Click here to see all the great prizes at the Annual Giveaway Site.

You could win a Sony PlayStation 3, Logitech network music player, Panasonic Blu-ray Disc player, LG 19-inch LCD monitor, Xbox 360 gaming console, Epson all-in-one printer, Garmin GPS, Shure earbuds, Kodak digital camera, Universal Home Entertainment DVD collection, DXG HD camcorder, Adobe photo software, Myvu Crystal media viewer, Microsoft goodies, Sony game or software package, Microsoft's Zune player, SOLO leather rolling laptop case, Total Training one-year subscription, Gifts.com gift card, Lynda.com online training library, Motorola GPS unit, Logitech QuickCam Webcams, Seagate's FreeAgent Go portable storage solution, Genius Touch Speaker System, Omnitech digital photo frame, Audiovox Homebase Message Center, Motorola mobile phone, Pathfinder Luggage CompuBrief, Big Fish Games package, Staples gift card, Rosetta Stone Spanish language software, and more!

HOW CAN YOU WIN?
You can win by calling the show and speaking with me live on the air. And new this year, you can also win by entering daily at my Giveaway online.

HOW YOU CAN WIN DURING MY NATIONAL RADIO SHOW:
Any caller who speaks to me on the air wins one of our fabulous prizes. The number to call is 1-888-825-5254, but ONLY on Saturdays between 7 and 10 a.m. Pacific (10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern).

HOW YOU CAN WIN ONLINE:
If you don't get through during the show, you are still eligible to win. Just enter on my Web site. We're giving away great prizes every day of the giveaway. So, you could win daily. And if you enter online, you are also eligible for one of the GRAND PRIZES!

DID YOU WIN?
Here are just a few of our lucky winners:

- Robert Boudreau in Chebanse, IL, listens on WLS 890 AM. He'll be expanding his knowledge with a Total Training One Year Subscription valued at $249.99!

- Kathy Kasley catches me on WRVA 1140 AM from Williamsburg, VA. She picked up a $150 Audiovox Homebase Message Center!

- Donald Claycamp lives in Conway Springs, KS, and listens on KFH 98.7 FM. He'll be charging in style with a $200 WildCharge Gift Certificate.

- Pamela Dollarhide listens on KTTH 770 AM in Maple Valley, WA. She'll have the best home movies. She won a $170 DXG HD Camcorder.

- Tim Kenyon in Rocklin, CA, tunes in on KSTE 650 AM. He'll be making video calls in no time. He won two Logitech Webcams valued at $229.98!

- Connie ODaniels from Acworth, GA, listens on WSB 750 AM. She now has a sleek photo printer with the $300 Epson Artisan 800.

- Terry Stec in Madison, PA, listens on WPGB 104.7 FM. He won a Logitech Squeezebox Boom Network Music Player valued at $299.99!

Every day, I pick a new winner. Check the winner's page and maybe you'll see your name in virtual lights.

Be sure to tell 10 friends and family members! And get ready to call in to my show! Finally, don't forget about our sponsors. Be sure to check out the great prizes on the Great Giveaway area. The sponsors make the giveaway possible. So, if you ever want to learn more about any of the prizes, click those links (hint, hint) and you'll land at the sponsor's site.

ACCESSORIZE DIGITAL GIFTS WITH FREE SOFTWARE
You probably bought someone on your list an electronics goodie. Maybe it was a computer, a camera or an MP3 player. So, why not help the recipient accessorize the gift? You'll find plenty of free software on my site to enhance these gadgets. The software is free, but the thought is priceless!

Here are some of my favorite freebies from the past week. Click on the links below to learn more about the free programs. There's still plenty of ground to cover. Hurry back!

    • I love downloading files and software off the Web. With this program, you can do it faster.
    • Want to know more about wireless networking? Analyze your home network. I can show you how.
    • It's great having tons of photos on your computer. But organizing and searching through them isn't easy.
    • Passwords are always hard to remember, especially on the go. You better take your passwords with you.

Want a tip? Bookmark my Downloads page. Just go there and press Ctrl+D. That will add my downloads to your browser's favorites!

And remember this: If I say a program is free, it's FREE. There are sites on the Internet that sell free programs. There are also many ads on the Internet for similar programs, which aren't free. If somebody tries to charge you for a free program, back up. You've clicked on the wrong thing.

Saturday's download — What are the staples of the holiday season? Well, some staples are gifts, Christmas lights and family. Many people also send greeting cards. But that can get expensive. You have to buy and ship them. Stamps aren't cheap! Luckily, you can send cards right from your computer. And the best part is, they're free!

RECHARGE WITH A QUICK VIDEO BREAK
It's easy to get caught up in the fast pace of the holiday season. You deserve a little break! My Video of the Day can help you recharge your batteries. Each day, I feature one cool video. It's a great way to de-stress!

Don't miss these hot videos from the past week:

• Where is the most exciting street in America? You can travel down it with Google's Street View. This was a cool art project.

• Homelessness crushes people's self-worth. How does one get it back? Cancer survivor Peter Phelps has found a way.

• The ancient world is filled with wonders. But would you believe in an ancient computer? This Greek invention is amazing.

• I love the music around the holidays. The songs just put a smile on your face. Here are some of my favorite Christmas songs.

There is nothing better than catching a good show. Performers that have perfected their art are a joy to watch. But you don't need to leave your house. Find great performances in the Video of the Day archive:

• Talent can pop up in the most unusual places. This man got his big break on Britain's Got Talent. You won't believe your ears.

• Circus acrobats are incredible performers. What happens when these people get together and compete? You get this amazing act.

• Some of the coolest acts involve people and animals. This horse and her rider are light on their feet. Check out this horse ballet.

• Magicians are great at entertaining. But what does the World Champion of Magic look like. This trick will blow your mind!

videoSaturday's video — Bobby Darin was a great singer and entertainer. This video features one of his classic songs. Music fans will love this.

Sunday's video — All epic movies have one thing in common, an inspirational speech. But all these speeches are really the same. Plus, a bonus movie!

NOTE: Are you having trouble seeing my daily video picks? Do you get a message that the video is not available? Sorry to say, it's probably not the video. It's your computer, my friend. Get help on my troubleshooting page. These problems are pretty easy to fix.

THE EASY WAY TO SAVE MY VIDEOS
Ever want to save a YouTube or other video that you've found online? You've come to the right place. On my site, all you need do is enter the Web address for the video, click a button and download the video to your Mac or PC.

Again, to download the video, all you need is the video's Web address. Don't know how to find that? Click here for step-by-step instructions.

And to start saving videos you find online, use the free tool on my Web site. It's located at http://www.komando.com/myvideo/

PRIVACY AND SECURITY TIP: 5 ways to protect your gear
You may end up with some cool digital gear this year. Do you know how to protect your new gadgets? You should prepare for loss, damage or theft. Hopefully, you won't have to deal with it. But preparation is key. Listen to the second hour of the Kim Komando show.

Need to find a radio station near you? Click here to use the official Kim Komando Show Locator Map. With over 450 stations, there's a station near you.

STILL TO COME: Useful tips, important news and a few laughs!

    • Activating parental controls on the iPhone
    • Online help for a tough job market
    • Important security tips; and some awesome freebies!

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DIGITAL DIGRESSIONS: Tips that work for you!

ENABLING PARENTAL CONTROLS ON THE IPHONE
Mike in Grand Rapids tunes in to the show on WOOD 1300 AM. He wrote in because he is giving his teenage children iPhones for Christmas. He's worked the bills into his monthly budget. But he's worried that his kids may exceed the basic monthly charges. That's because they can download programs and music. So, he'd like some information on parental controls.

Your kids are going to love their new phones! The iPhone is one of the hottest gadgets on the market right now. And there's good reason for that. It's an all-in-one communications and entertainment tool. Of course, this also means you need to worry about how your teens will use it.

I do have some good news for you, Mike. Your kids can download all the music, movies and games they like. This won't affect your monthly phone bill. That's because purchases through iTunes aren't linked to your AT&T account. Rather, you pay with your iTunes account.

This should be somewhat comforting. That is, unless you created iTunes accounts for your kids using your credit card. They could still run up bills, only on your credit card. Also, you have to worry about your kids accessing adult content. This should be a real concern for parents of teens.

Fortunately, I have some help for you! On my site, you can learn how to activate the iPhone's parental controls. The same tip will help you with the iPod touch. After all, it poses most of the same risks. Parents, don't miss this tip!

You'll also want to read my tip on iTunes' parental controls. Your kids can find some offensive stuff on iTunes. Or, they can run up big bills—no iPhone required!

If you have a young child, an iPhone is less than ideal. That's okay. There are plenty of other phones that are great for young kids. To learn more about them, read my handy tip. Of course, kids can get into trouble with any phone. So don't miss this tip. It will help you monitor your child's phone use.

SECURING A MACHINE RUNNING 64-BIT WINDOWS
Ron in Birmingham, AL tunes in on WAPI 1070 AM. He just got a brand new computer. It runs Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit. He's having trouble finding security software for the machine. So, he wrote in for a little help.

More and more computers are using 64-bit Windows. I suspect many people are buying the machines without realizing this. That can pose problems when you start to load software on the machine. Some programs simply aren't compatible. That's especially true of security software. Hardware can also be a problem.

You can probably buy security software for 64-bit Windows. But, I think your money can be put to better use. Instead, download free software! You can download AVG or avast! from my site. Both work on 64-bit Windows. You just need one antivirus program.

For anti-spyware, you need at least two programs. You can try Ad-Aware, Spybot-Search & Destroy or Windows Defender. Again, these are all free on my site. Finding a firewall will give you the most trouble. There simply aren't many that work with 64-bit Windows. But, you can use Comodo. It's free.

You'll see a lot more machines running 64-bit Windows. It does have some disadvantages. You can get around them. When you buy software, be sure it's compatible with your machine. You'll want to check for hardware and software compatibility before you buy. Find out everything you need to know about compatibility issues in my handy tip!

DON'T MISS OUT ON AN AMERICAN CHRISTMAS
Patti wrote in from Keezletown, VA, where she tunes in on WSVA 550 AM. She's told her Mom about An American Christmas. But the show isn't available in her mom's area. So, Patti was wondering how her mom can listen to it. She's looked for it in stores. But, she is unable to locate it.

For those of you who haven't heard of An American Christmas, let me explain. It is a national radio show hosted by Mannheim Steamroller's Chip Davis. My husband Barry writes and produces the show.

There are really two parts to the show. First, there's the daily show called The 12 Days of Christmas. Then, there's the show that airs on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. You can catch this 12-hour extravaganza on more than 260 stations.

Not everyone will be able to tune in to the show, of course. Fortunately, it is available on iTunes. You can download about an hour of the show for $5. The clip is commercial free. Just search for Christmas Companion in iTunes. Or, open the program and then click this link.

BUYING ANY TECH FOR THE HOLIDAYS?
Visit the Komando.com Buying Guide. Here, you can find unbiased advice on buying laptops, desktops, TVs, monitors, scanners, video cards, digital cameras, software, audio, printers, cell phones, networking gear, handhelds, memory cards and, well, let's just say a heck of a lot more! You can scan the categories. Or use the Search banner on the page. We hope you like the improvements at the Buying Guide and use it often!

HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE
At Komando.com, we now have a shopping guide that will help you find the perfect gifts and the lowest prices online. Check it out by clicking here.

AMERICAN FORCES RADIO & THANKS
Listen all over the world! My shows are broadcast on the American Forces Radio Network. If you know someone in the military, let them know. And if you have served, or are currently serving our country, THANK YOU. With the holiday season here, check our page that spotlights ways that you can thank our troops.

NO PREEMPTIONS! DOWNLOAD & LISTEN WHEN YOU WANT!
Listen to my shows when and where you want. Wow! The shows sound incredible in crystal clear digital audio. It's commercial-free, too! Listen on your computer or take me with you in your MP3 player.  You can even burn them to CDs and listen in the car. Click here to join Kim's Club today!

DON'T STOP YET – THERE'S MORE YOU NEED TO KNOW:

    • Rookie Rundown—Finding photo-editing software on the cheap
    • Keep reading! I have more money-saving tips!

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THE WEEKLY COLUMN:

ONLINE HELP FOR A TOUGH JOB MARKET
Unemployment is at a 14-year high. So, if you're looking for a job, you're not alone. Unfortunately, the competition makes landing a job more difficult.

You have to be savvy. You'll find plenty of help online. I have some tips, and some places to look. For links to these sites, visit www.komando.com/news.

Your résumé is your professional calling card. A poorly executed one might well go into the trash. A clean, clear effort might get you an interview. Few people land jobs with just a good résumé. But a sloppy résumé is a killer. So, your résumé must be top-notch and error-free. It is the price of admission.

Most job boards offer tips for crafting a résumé. Or, search Google for sample résumés. Microsoft Word includes templates. Microsoft has more on its site. Take your time and do it right.

Don't let the competition kill your job prospects! Read the rest of my column for more must-know advice. It's free on my site, of course.

A LITTLE ABOUT ME:
Did you know that I host two radio shows? I have a Digital Minute that airs Monday through Friday. I also host a three-hour show on the weekends. Over 460 radio stations in the great United States broadcast my shows. Plus, from here in the desert come all kinds of tidbits about living a digital lifestyle. You can read my weekly column in over 100 Gannett newspapers across the country. And I write two columns a week for the USAToday Web site.

HOW TO CALL ME DURING THE SHOW
It takes just three easy steps: 1.) Call the LIVE broadcast. That's this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the East Coast, or, if you live on the West Coast, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. 2.) Know the phone number. It is, of course, toll-free 1-888-825-5254. 3.) Talk to Andrew and tell him what's on your mind. That's all there is to it!

HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE
At Komando.com, we now have a shopping guide that will help you find the perfect gifts and the lowest prices online. Check it out by clicking here.

STILL TO COME IN THIS ISSUE:

    • Some freebies and a contest for you to win!
    • Browsing without leaving a trace

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Other Items of Interest
Sensible and Affordabe Holiday Gifts
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ROOKIE RUNDOWN: Tips to get you newbies up and going!
I've been getting a lot of questions lately about photo-editing software. For example, Terry, listening on KRMG 740 AM, got a slightly used camera. He doesn't have the cash for photo software. So, he wants to know if I could recommend a good free program.

I expect I'll see more questions like this in the next few weeks. After all, digital cameras are always hot gifts. But times are tight. So many people will be looking for inexpensive or free photo programs.

Fortunately, I have a number of photo programs on my site. Not every program will be suitable for you. Some are better suited for certain tasks or users.

IrfanView is an extremely handy program. It will help you convert photos to different formats. You can also crop photos and add captions to them. It's fast and easy to use. But its editing features are limited.

So, you may want to try a different program. If you're just getting started, try PhotoPlus. It is an easy way to enhance and manipulate photos.

For more advanced features, try Paint.NET. You can work with layers and add special effects. The program also has a high-quality feel to it.

Maybe you want a program that is comparable to Photoshop. Photoshop is the industry standard. But the latest version costs $700. That's more than most cameras!

Most people don't need all the features present in Photoshop. On the contrary, the wealth of features makes it difficult to use. But some people need all of these features. In that case, try GIMP. It's a difficult program. But it can do just about anything you want!

I recommend you try all of these free programs. You'll see which one best suits you. Or, you may not like any of them. In that case, you'll probably need to pony up some cash. My handy buying guide will help!

Let me leave you with something fun. How would you like to add dramatic lighting to your digital photos? You can with high dynamic range imaging. It doesn't require a special camera. All you need is a special program, which you can download for free. Sound good? Learn how to get started with HDR photography in my cool step-by-step tip!

A MESSAGE FROM THE KOMANDO.COM POSTMASTER
Did you move and get a new e-mail address? Let us know so you don't miss a single issue of our free newsletters. It's easy. Just use our Change of Address form at the Komando Newsletter Center. Click here to access it now.

SEE SOMETHING UNDERLINED? CLICK & LEARN
When something is underlined in our newsletters, click it. It's a link for you to learn more. So go ahead, click the link. Expand your horizons. You'll be glad you did!

GET MORE FREE TIPS FROM ME TO YOU
You get this newsletter. Now, sign up for my other three free e-mail newsletters.

• Free computer or digital tip Mon-Fri
• Free Cool Site daily
• Free news links Mon-Fri

As always, I guarantee your privacy. Your e-mail address will not be sold, leased or given to anyone, ever!

STILL TO COME IN THIS WEEKEND'S EDITION:

    • Security tips to keep your computer safe
    • Protect your privacy while surfing the Web

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RADIO REWIND: Your guide to all things radio!

HAVE A HOLLY, JOLLY CHRISTMAS
The last minute rush is on! But I have some great tips to help get you to the finish line! So don't miss my three-hour weekend show and Digital Minutes. And enjoy my shows on your schedule as a member of Kim's Club.

Santa

MY AFFILIATES ARE MERRY AND BRIGHT!
Here's a holiday toast to some of my stations far and wide that bring you my shows: Dallas (KRLD 1080 AM); Atlanta (WSB 750 AM); Phoenix (550 AM); Baltimore (WBAL 1090 AM); Sacramento, CA (KSTE 650 AM); Orlando, FL (WDBO 580 AM); New Orleans (WRNO 99.5 FM); Grand Rapids, MI (WOOD 1300 AM); Corpus Christi, TX (KKTX 1360 AM); Macon, GA (WMAC 940 AM); Anchorage, AK (KFQD 750 AM); Cedar Rapids, IA (WMT 600 AM); Joplin, MO (KZRG 1310 AM); Lima, OH (WIMA 1150 AM), around the world on the stations of the American Forces Radio Network and so many more.

CHECK THESE CHANGES
Washington (WTNT 570 AM), now on Saturdays at 4 p.m. with the Digital Minutes in the 6 p.m. hour.

ONE HOT TOWN
The Great Chicago Fire raged Oct. 8 and 9, 1871. In 27 hours, it destroyed 3.5 square miles and 17,450 buildings. About 250 people lost their lives. The Water Tower is the best-known building to survive. But four public buildings that predate the Great Fire are still standing: St. Ignatius College Prep, Holy Family Catholic Church, St. Patrick's Catholic Church and First Baptist Congregational Church.

On Oct. 7, 1997, Mrs. O'Leary's cow was absolved of all blame. The Chicago City Council approved the resolution.

WLS  

When you are in Chicago, catch my weekend show on WLS 890 AM on Saturdays at 7 p.m.

DON'T ASK SANTA, CLICK ON MY MAP
Looking for a station near you that carries my shows? Just head for my Locator Map. The answer will soon pop up in your e-mail inbox!

STUFF YOUR OWN STOCKING
Kim's Club members can access special content, the Message Board and Kimcasts on demand. So join today!

STILL TO COME IN THIS WEEKEND'S EDITION:

    • Security tips to keep your computer safe
    • Search in secret

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The Perfect Gift Set for Wine Lovers!

This instant gift set is beautifully gift-wrapped and full of festive and practical gifts that any wine lover will adore! Includes a gift card to the recipient too!

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Other Items of Interest
Organic Herb Garden
Wine Bottle Cork Candles

MY WEEKLY SELECTION OF UNIQUE AND GREAT WEB SITES

KIM'S TIPS FOR KOMANDO KIDS: Track Santa Claus online
Christmas is a magical season, especially for the kids. They'll be waiting for Santa Claus to visit their home. For a special night, let them follow Santa from the North Pole. Online Santa trackers are a lot of fun. Discover the best during the third hour of my show.

CONTEST SITE: Set Sail!
Good Housekeeping is giving away a trip for two to Norfolk, VA. From there, take a nine-night cruise to the Caribbean! Open to U.S. residents, 18 or older. Deadline: 12/31/08

CONTEST: The Annual Kim Komando Show Great Giveaway
The Great Giveaway is going full blast! Every caller who speaks with me live on the air wins a great prize! Online winners are picked daily! So, enter every day to win a valuable prize on my Web site. Hurry! Deadline for online entry is 12/22/08.

FREEBIE OF THE WEEK: For dogs at work & play
Get a free sample of Whites Premium dog food. There's a sample for every breed, from Labradors to Jack Russells. Your dog will thank you for the treat.

FREEBIE FROM KOMANDO.COM: Share videos for free
Are you interested in sharing your videos online? There are plenty of video-sharing sites. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. Find out which fits you best.

GET A COOL SITE EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK
There are plenty of great sites on the Web. But who has time to find them? Every day, I pick one great site and share it with you. Try it for a week and you'll love it!

In case you missed any this past week, here's a list of some of our favorites:
Recover from holiday spending
Explore Santa's workshop
Hunting whales
Keeping your kids healthy

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COOL USEFUL FUN FREEBIE OF THE WEEK

THIS WEEK'S FOCUS: Send e-cards for free
What are the staples of the holiday season? Well, some staples are gifts, Christmas lights and family. Many people also send greeting cards. But that can get expensive. Luckily, you can send cards right from your computer. And the best part is, they're free!

Let's keep it going; there's plenty more to cover:
• SECURE COMPUTING: Microsoft releases critical, off-cycle patch

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Save 20% Today on Everything in Stock!


SECURE COMPUTING: STUFF TO KEEP YOU SAFE FROM HARM!

Brought to you by my book, Complete Guide to Computer Security & Privacy. Order your copy today!

EMERGENCY PATCH FIXES INTERNET EXPLORER FLAW
On Wednesday, Microsoft issued an emergency patch for Internet Explorer. An off-cycle patch is extremely rare for Microsoft. So, this should underscore the importance of installing the update.

The patch fixes a zero-day exploit in Internet Explorer. All versions of the Web browser are affected. Your machine could be compromised just by visiting a malicious site. Opening a malicious message in Outlook Express can also activate the flaw. Attackers can then take over your machine. Do not delay. Run Windows Update NOW to install the patch!

THE END IS IN SIGHT, BUT I WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK
• Use private browsing for extra privacy

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5-in-1 LifeSaver Emergency Tool!

• Peace of mind for every family member
• Impact-resilient and water-resistant
• Includes an automatic glass breaker, seat belt cutter, LED flashlight, flashing distress light & alarm
GET YOUR PEACE OF MIND!



Other Items of Interest
All-In-One Emergency Radio
Essential Safety Backpack



KILLER TIP--THE WEEKLY QUESTION SENT IN FROM PEOPLE LIKE YOU!

I'm very concerned about my privacy. That's particularly true when I'm surfing the Internet. Unfortunately, I can also be fairly forgetful. Is there something that will clear out my browser automatically when I'm done? I don't want to have to clear it out manually.
—Arthur in Grand Junction, CO, listening on KNZZ 1100 AM

Your Web history says a lot about you. It can reveal health issues, relationship issues, financial issues. This stuff is private. You don't want anyone else mucking around in it.

As you point out, though, clearing the browser can be difficult to remember. Fortunately, though, there are solutions for most of the popular browsers. They won't automatically clear out the browser. Instead, the computer is prevented from storing data in the first place.

It's called privacy mode. However, for obvious reasons, many refer to it as porn mode. IE8 beta, Safari and Google's Chrome all have it.

Firefox doesn't include a privacy mode. But you can add one, with the Stealther extension. Stealther also works in Firefox 3.5 beta.

Privacy mode blocks private data and cookies from being recorded. It also blocks your Web history and search history.

You will still be able to add bookmarks and download files. Remember that these things can also expose things about you.

Turning on private browsing is fairly easy. Hopefully, you can remember to do it! By default, private browsing is not activated when you open the browser. That's true for all of these browsers.

In Internet Explorer 8, open a new tab. Select Start InPrivate Browsing. Or, simply click Safety>>InPrivate Browsing. A new window will open. You'll see an InPrivate icon in the address bar.

In Safari, click Edit>>Private Blocking. Once the feature is enabled, you'll see a check mark next to it on the Edit menu.

The feature is called Incognito Mode in Google's Chrome. You can start an incognito session by pressing Ctrl+Shift+N. Or, click the menu to the right of the address bar. Select "New incognito window." An icon of a man in a hat and sunglasses in the top right corner of the Window.

As, I said, private browsing is not yet a part of Firefox. So, you'll need to download the Stealther extension. Once it is downloaded and installed, you'll want to configure it.

To configure Stealther, click Tools>>Add-ons. Click the entry for Stealther and then click Options. You can select what is blocked and what isn't. You can also select a shortcut key for Stealther.

To turn Stealther on, use the shortcut key you created. If you didn't create one, use the default shortcut key. It's Ctrl+Shift+S. Or, click Tools>>Stealther. When it is activated, you'll see a check next to it on the menu.

IF I HELPED YOU, CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME?
Help me find new listeners and readers. Here are a couple ways:

1. Tell your co-workers, employees, team members, fantasy sports buddies, family members and friends to check us out. I have a form that makes it easy.

2. Link your blog, online profile or site to my site. Instructions and cool artwork await you.

Have a great weekend. Thank you for your support of my show and newsletters! I appreciate it!

Kim :)

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Keep up with the Weather with The Wireless Weather Station!

• Measures temperature, rainfall,
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• Fun & educational for the family
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Other Items of Interest
Never Wonder if You Left The Garage Door Open Again
Turn The Lights On/Off When You're Not Home




SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU LAUGH

EVEN REINDEER GET INTO TROUBLE SOMETIMES
As you know, it is important for Santa and his reindeer to be quiet when they deliver presents on Christmas Eve so no one will know they are there.

One Christmas Eve, Santa Claus landed on a rooftop and suddenly he heard a very loud, "Snort sniff honk honk snort!" coming from one of his reindeer. Since he was in the sleigh behind them, he didn't know which one it was. It happened again, only louder this time. "Snort sniff honk honk snort!" Dogs in the neighborhood began to bark.

"Shhh!" Santa hissed. "Please be quiet!" He went to work lifting the sack of toys out of the sleigh when he heard it again, only a lot louder this time. "SNORT SNIFF HONK HONK SNORT!"

Lights came on all over the neighborhood and some people even stuck their heads out of their windows. Santa was horrified. Jumping back into the sleigh, he drove quickly back to the North Pole. He lined up all the reindeer and announced, "We are not going to deliver another present until the reindeer who is making funny noises with his nose steps forward and apologizes!" None of the reindeer stepped forward.

Santa held up a piece of paper. "I know who it is and I have written your name on this paper. But I want to give you a chance to do the right thing on your own."

Still none of the reindeer came forward. So Santa did the only thing he could do. He read off the rude-nosed reindeer...

Have a great day and I'll see you on the radio!

Remember, there's an extra hour of the show this weekend. So you have even more time to give me a call! I'd love to hear from you. It takes just three easy steps: 1.) Call the LIVE broadcast. That's this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the East Coast, or, if you live on the West Coast, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. 2.) Know the phone number. It is, of course, toll-free 1-888-825-5254. 3.) Talk to our call screener Andrew and tell him what's on your mind. That's all there is to it!

Hugs,
Kim :)

GET MORE TIPS FROM ME TO YOU
You get this newsletter. Now, sign up for my other three free e-mail newsletters. Try 'em! You'll like 'em!

    • Free computer tip Mon-Fri
    • Free cool site daily
    • Free news links Mon-Fri

As always, I guarantee your privacy. Your e-mail address will not be sold, leased or given to anyone, ever!






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Terms of Use

Personal & Educational Use Only This blog consists mainly of FREE newsletters from computer web gurus that I receive. I thought you might like to see them all in one place than try to discover them on your own. A moderate amount of editing may be done to eliminate unrelated repetitious ads or unnecessary text which bloat the post. However I have given the authors full credit and will not remove their site links because you deserve to see where it comes from and they deserve to get credit for what they have written. Your use of this site is simply for educational purposes. For more computer-related help go to: CPEDLEY.COM for free software, advice and tips on low cost products which are very helpful. If you want to contact the editor, please go CPEDLEY.COM and check the Contact page for email address.