Windows 8 is a big departure from previous versions of Windows. Do you have patrons asking for help using their Windows 8 devices -- but you aren't familiar with this operating system?

I've rounded up a few resources to help you and your customers navigate the new interface:

When I switched to Windows 7 from Windows XP, I was happy to find I could pin programs to the Taskbar.  But then became unhappy once I realized I couldn't move & reorder multiple instances of progams — like 2 Excel spreadsheets or 3 Word documents — independently; all Excel files and Word documents were grouped together, and I couldn't move the individual files where I needed them to be on the taskbar.

And then I found a free app to fix it — the 7+ Taskbar Tweaker — yay!  It's a free utility that's easy to install and customize. (Note: If you use Windows XP, you can install the free Taskbar Shuffle utility instead; I wrote about it in this April 2009 Ides post.)

Here's what my Taskbar looked like before installing 7+ Taskbar Tweaker:

Don't become a victim by clicking on malware-infected email links and fake antivirus scanners!

Pete Hodge (Winnefox's Computer Support Specialist) is seeing an alarming increase in malware-infected computers in libraries around the system:

The most common method of infection with this new batch of malware seems to be the fake email from a shipper such as USPS, UPS, or Fedex.  Once you click on the link in the email you are redirected to a site the infects your computer.

Another method creates a popup window that claims your computer is infected with spyware and viruses.  The malware wants to scare you into acting immediately, out of fear your computer has been infected; in reality, it will get infected if you click a bogus virus scanner offer.

Pete says:
Think Before You Click

... be extremely skeptical of what pop-up windows and banner messages are telling you when on the Internet.  Any security software that should be installed on the computer will come from someone at WALS or on staff at your library.  If you ever have any questions about popup windows or other odd computer messages, please do not hesitate to call or email me.  [Pete Hodge, 920-236-5273]

Is your Windows password too easy to guess?  Or too hard to remember? 

If your password is "password", "12345678", "qwerty" or one of the other 25 Worst Passwords, you can help keep your computer secure by changing to a stronger  password.  (Your Windows password is the password you use to log on to your computer.)

Here are tips for creating a new password that's more secure:

If you're used to using Windows XP but are now using Windows 7 and have questions about finding stuff and doing basic tasks, spend a little time at About.com's Quick Guide to the Windows 7 Desktop.

Here are some of the tips offered there: