Q. Let's say I am composing a message to you when I think of something I need to check, before I forget. I minimize my email to the Taskbar and open a new window. I proceed to do what I need to do, then close that window before pulling my unfinished message to you back up on screen. My question is this: Is leaving the first screen minimized to the Taskbar as secure as the new window I'm visiting? Does it even matter if I do not minimize it, and merely switch to the new screen? You can probably tell that I've become rather paranoid about security and this is just one of the things swirling around in my old gray cells.
A. When it comes to security, there is no difference between a minimized window and one that's open full screen. Both are operating within Windows, so the security protection afforded both is equal. Think of it in terms of turning on your home security system at night. Once it's activated, it doesn't matter whether you're in one room or another, or sitting, or standing, or asleep in a chair. It is the house itself that is protected, no matter what you're doing within the house.
Q. Sometimes when I try to add or edit a Gmail contact, it doesn't show up although I added it to all three Groups that I created. Shouldn't there be an “All Contacts” category? How should I properly add a contact?
A. When you add contacts to Gmail Groups (mailing lists), it's best to add them from your main My Contacts list which serves as the "All" category that you mentioned. The idea is to have one centralized repository for all contacts. From there you can move any contact into any individual Group.
To add contacts to a Contact Group in the newest version of Gmail, click Mail at the top-left corner of your Gmail page, then choose Contacts. Click to select the contact(s) you want to add. Next, click the Groups button and select the name of the group you would like to add these contacts to, or select Create New to create a new Group.
Here is a link to Gmail's Help Information about Groups (http://bit.ly/RGUmy3) which you might find interesting and informative – perhaps both. (Okay, that might be pushing it.)
Q. Firefox has started blocking pages when I click links from an email or Web page. The message reads "Firefox prevented this page from automatically redirecting to another page." Can you help me get rid of this irritating thing?
A. That's actually a safeguard designed to protect you. You really DO want to know whenever a redirection attempt occurs so you can approve or reject it. Otherwise, your browser could easily be hijacked to a malicious site and without even knowing it, you could think you were on a legitimate site, provide a credit card number or other personal information, and wind up in deep guano.
I definitely do not recommend the following, but if you really want to disable that protection, the wording or path may vary slightly depending on the version of Firefox you're using, but go to Tools > Options > Preferences > Advanced tab. Locate the box next to the text that displays, “Warn me when Web sites try to redirect or reload the page.” Remove the check mark, close your Preferences, then hope for the best.
Mr. Modem’s DME (Don’t Miss ‘Em) Sites of the Month
Entanglement
A semi-relaxing game that requires you to manipulate tiles to create a Zen-like path, making it as long as possible without connecting it to any walls. A helpful two-minute How-to-Play video is accessible on the right side of the page, under Menu, should you be running low on Zen. The accompanying music is somewhat soothing, right up to the point that it becomes annoying.
Rock, Paper, Scissors
The New York Times created this application that demonstrates the concept of Artificial Intelligence by inviting you to play Rock, Paper, Scissors against a computer. In the Novice version you will teach the computer how to mimic human reactions by building up a database of moves that it will analyze statistically to plan its strategy to beat you. It requires a minimum of five games for the computer to start predicting what you will do. If you choose to play the Veteran version, the computer will draw from a database of 200,000 moves in its efforts to defeat you. Trust me: It will defeat you.
YouTube TestTube
Are you an avid YouTube user? Do you want to test a bunch of really cool upcoming ideas for the world’s largest video site? If so, check out TestTube, which is what YouTube folks call an “idea incubator” for features and services currently under development. YouTube is owned by Google, and TestTube is reminiscent of Google Labs. (In Gmail, Labs can be found as a tab under Settings.)
For more information about Mr. Modem's technology-tips eBooks and award-winning weekly computer-help newsletter, featuring his personal answers to your questions by email, visit www.MrModem.com.