With the emphasis of Windows 8 on “touch”, it should come as no surprise that one of its features include that of creating a picture password.

Ask any user how easy it is to enter an alphanumeric string on their mobile, and since Windows 8 aims at working across all devices, it’s also a reason Windows expects its users to switch to the use of a picture password as opposed to traditional ones.

With that said, and even though this might be new for some desktop users, the picture (or gesture) password is definitely a convenient and secure way of logging into your PC.

But how does one create a strong Windows 8 Picture Password?

The reason for this question is because researchers at the University of Pennsylvania conducted a study where hackers could use smudge marks to decipher one’s picture password.

Since picture passwords are all about gestures, probably the simplest thing to keep in mind is that “taps” should be avoided in favor of lines and circles, of which the latter two capture both positional and directional data.

Simply, in order to login to your computer, a user will have to know the start and end point as well as the direction of the gestures used, and which is much more difficult to determine as opposed to simple taps.

Also, avoid creating gestures that follow the obvious contours of an image, such as circling a face and creating lines between two landmarks.

It’s vital to pick a picture with strong contrast so as to pick bright reference points that will help you create a complex series of gestures that will not be easy to decipher.

In any case, if all else fails, you still have the text password option available at the top right hand corner of your screen, which you can use.

With the launch of the Windows 8 ecosystem, it’s abundantly clear that they have put their best foot forward when it comes to creating innovative products. However, there are certain issues that don’t seem to be resolved just yet.

With that said, here are the 3 worst features of the Windows 8 ecosystem:

#1: Common interface with no apps

Compared to Apple and Google, Microsoft has a dearth of apps at its store. To tell you how bad it is, there are no apps for Instagram, Twitter or even Facebook just yet. With this crucial element now in the hands of third-party developers, one will have to wait and see if this affects the Windows ecosystem as a whole in a positive or negative in a few months from now. Worse still is the fact that the Windows Store isn’t unified for all devices but has been segregated for each type of device.

This means that if you buy Microsoft Office, it will not be accessible across all devices but just for the one you’ve bought.

#2: The confusion surrounding Windows RT

Most consumers blame Microsoft for misleading them to believe that the applications that can run on Windows 8 can run on Windows RT as well. If you must know, Windows RT will not run any application except for those that come pre-installed such as Microsoft Office, certain legacy applications as well as the file management system that you’ve seen with earlier versions of Windows operating systems.

#3: The inclusion of advertising – everywhere

Unlike Android or even Apple, Microsoft makes no attempt to limit their efforts to promote their apps or content. While the other two services do not interfere with your choices, they most certainly stay out of the way.

With Windows 8, whether you access the Music, Video or Games apps, they come across as sales tools and not apps designed for users – and it’s throughout the new operating system. Advertising has become part of the norm, and unashamedly so.

It’s been a few months since Windows 8 was launched. However, this release seems like a shift for Windows users because of the number of auxiliary products and services that have sprung up to support the operating system. And they’re here to stay, whether users like them or not.

With that said, here are three of the best features of the Windows 8 ecosystem:

#1: The Introduction of Tablet-Laptop Hybrids

Not only is Windows trying to move their users, both old and new, to the touch experience, with their latest operating system but have also backed the idea that tablet-laptop hybrids are the future of computing. With Surface RT being the first time Microsoft is venturing into the world of hardware, which puts it in direct competition with its hardware partners, this will only pave the way for innovative and cheaper computers for the Windows 8 ecosystem in the future.

#2: A unified experience across all platforms

Since touch is the cornerstone of Microsoft’s Windows 8, its ability to deliver a unified experience across all platforms, whether tablets, laptops or desktops is far better than what Apple has been able to come up with, being divided between Mac OS and iOS.

Better still, what binds them all together is the new Microsoft account sign-in that easily synchronizes settings on all Windows-based hardware and services that you might be using.

#3: Windows Store

With Apple getting an app store and Google following suit, Microsoft has also jumped into the fray. The Windows Store, or as it is known, not only has apps for the Windows Phone but also for desktops as well.

With Microsoft encouraging developers to create apps, the old method of installing program directly from the internet will slowly be done away with. Not only will this ensure that the apps downloaded will still keep a user’s computer safe but will ensure that it works well with the Window 8 operating system – standards that have been set by Microsoft for third-party developers.

Today most people are familiar with GPS tracking on devices such as phones and cars in order to see just where something is located at any given time. This is proven effective for a number of different things in life, ranging from social situations through the application of GPS location tracking for photography to actual security measures by using GPS locators and items such as vehicles to help prevent theft. Real time GPS vehicle tracking goes beyond simply locating a vehicle, however, and allows for companies utilizing fleets of vehicles to be able to do more with those vehicles that they have been they may have thought previously possible.

But not only simply letting an individual know the location of the vehicle the providing constant information flow to a centralized system for tracking fleet managers can be sure to have the latest information on all of their cars, trucks or other vehicles at all times. This information can include items such as fuel levels, vehicle conditions, travel speeds or other factors to improve safety and can even allow in some cases for the remote control of the vehicle for many functions such as both door and engine control.

Utilizing a typical LoJack or LoJack base technology for truck tracking and other purposes companies such as gpstrackit.com are able to provide comprehensive business solutions for those managing fleets of vehicles so that they can ensure that their vehicles are not only being used appropriately but are maximize that all times to their fullest potential.

Most systems deteriorate over time, and especially so with computers. Yet there are ways to prolong the life of a computer if you maintain it well, and on a regular basis.

One of the ways by which you will whether or not a computer, regardless of its hardware configuration, is in mint condition is by the speed at which it carries out given tasks on your computer and also over the internet.

So, here are few things to do in order to keep your computer in mint condition:

#1: Use DiskCleanup or CCleaner

Cookies or the cache on your computer can take up gigabytes of storage and which can easily removed by using the DiskCleanup or a freeware program like the CCleaner. Make sure you clean it up before moving on to the next few steps.

#2: Remove spyware or viruses that are on your PC

AVG Anti Virus is one of the best tools to use in order to rid your system of these damaging programs. If you don’t know where to start, you can look through the software on Download.com.

#3: Always use a UPS

Protect your computer from electric surges by using a UPS, and this simple step will ensure that your computer will last that much longer.

#4: Keep your computer dust-free

Keep your computer dust-free as much as possible by not only removing the dust from the bottom while also attending to the CPU heat sink and fan. You can also employ the services of an IT professional to do this for you.

 

RAM, the acronym for Random Access Memory, is usually in the form of integrated circuits that allows users to access data that is stored in real-time. Now the speed of your computer depends on the amount of RAM installed in your computer and how operable it is or not.

If your computer runs too slow, then the reason for this might be that you don’t have an adequate amount of RAM or the RAM installed might be corrupt.

So here are steps by which you can test your RAM, and get your computer to run optimally:

Step #1: Check the amount of RAM you have and how much is being used by clicking on ‘My Computer”, “Properties” and after that, “General”.

Step #2:  Press the keys Ctrl+Alt+Delete to open Windows Task Manager and then select the Performance tab so that you can check how much RAM is being used with each program.

Step #3: Now turn off your computer, open the computer tower and find the RAM circuits located on the motherboard.

Step #4: Ensure that they are securely locked into place by removing the circuits and putting them back in place firmly.

Step #5: Power up your computer once you’ve put back everything back in place, and check if your computer runs applications and programs faster than before.

Step #6: Download a RAM diagnostics program MemTest86 or MemTest86+ or install it using a CD.

Step #7: Use this program to test your RAM, and which can take anywhere between 30 minutes to 4 hours. It depends on the amount of RAM you’re installed and how much of it might be corrupt.