Saying goodbye to Windows 7 isn’t easy, but you must
One in five Windows users is still using Windows 7. That’s one too many. It’s time to move on. Microsoft Listen, I get it. Windows 7 has worked really well. After the Vista fiasco, you were so happy to get a decent version of Windows. You dodged the Windows 8.x sinkhole, and, boy, were you glad! Then, you thought about Windows 10, but 7 just did the job so you stuck with it, and then you felt vindicated because of Windows 10’s…
With Patch Tuesday arriving today, get Windows Automatic Update under control
If you’re running Win7, 8.1, or Win10 1903 or 1909, putting on a temporary patching pause is quick and easy. Other versions, not so much. Here’s how to run to the sidelines, so you can watch while the pioneers engage in unpaid Windows update beta-testing. Thinkstock December was a remarkable patching month. For those of you who use Windows Update, there were few surprises. (Manual updaters had it rough, though.) If you’ve been following along, you’ve already installed the December…
The race to integrate crypto into global banking is real
Public sector projects are driving greater interest to adopt fiat-backed cryptocurrencies by central and regional banks. Metamorworks / Getty Images Central banks in Asia and Europe are in the final stages of launching digital currencies for future payment systems and cross-border transactions, according to a new report from accounting firm KPMG. And governments around the world see the launch of these blockchain-based central bank digital currencies (CBDC) as something that could one day give them a competitive advantage in global trade.…
Latest Firefox update: Firefox 71 plays picture-in-picture catch-up
Firefox finally gets a picture-in-picture option for streaming video and continues to work toward release of its “Firefox Private Network” (FPN), which provides access to a VPN-like service. Magdalena Petrova/IDG TABLE OF CONTENTS Firefox 70 Firefox 69 Firefox 68 Firefox 67 Firefox 66 SHOW MORE Mozilla this week released Firefox 71, touting a picture-in-picture video mode and new ways to preview a VPN (virtual private networking) service that will be offered to customers next year. Security engineers included patches…
For IT pros, adding blockchain skills can pad your paycheck, substantially
Beefing up on skills around blockchain development, management or engineering can earn techies some big bucks above their current salary. Monsitj / Getty Images Extra pay for tech professionals who’ve attained non-certified skills is nearing a 19-year high, adding an average of 9.4% to their salary. But if you really want to pad your paycheck, blockchain skills may be the way to go, according to a new report from from Foote Partners. The market value for IT workers with…
Android 10’s Unique, but little known feature
One of Android 10’s most useful features is something you might not even think to try. OpenClipart-Vectors/Google Android 10 Android 10’s unexpected gem 10 hidden tricks for making the most of… The two fatal flaws with Android 10’s… How to take full advantage of Android… The real story with Android’s new… SHOW MORE Android 10 is filled with both high-profile interface changes (hello, gestures!) and important under-the-hood enhancements (better privacy controls — whee!). But you know what? Having lived with the software for…
Technology Innovation: Business card scanning apps for Android and iOS
Nobody wants to type business card data into contacts, so it usually never gets entered at all. With these apps, your phone can do the heavy lifting for you. Getty Images Throughout workdays, meetings and industry events, you probably collect a lot of business cards. But if you’re like many business professionals, you lack the time or motivation to type the information on them into your contacts. Why not let a business card scanning app can do the work for…
Ways IT can help minimize friction from the customer experience
Top-notch CX is a digital business imperative. Here’s how to ensure your organization’s customer and client experience is hassle-free. Thinkstock Today’s top stories Top career tips for aspiring CIOs 10 reasons IT leaders fail at innovation IT-business alignment in the digital age The 22 best project management tools… IT’s new ROI: Return on innovation SHOW MORE It’s not enough to provide high-quality products and services. In today’s business market, companies also need to deliver positive experiences for their customers. To…
