Week of April 2 - 7

QUESTION

Hi Kim. I collect coins. Most of them have been professionally graded and are encapsulated in plastic. My old HP scanner did a great job of scanning coins, but it died. With my new scanner, the coins always turn out blurry. I've tried everything I can to fix the problem. Is there a printer/scanner that will do what my old one could do? Am I going to have to start taking photos?
-Michael of Apex, NC, listens to my national radio show on WRDU 106.1 FM.

ANSWER

That's an excellent question, Michael. Keeping a visual record of your coins is great for insurance purposes. You can also share images of your treasures with other far-flung collectors. Your new scanner probably has a contact image sensor. A CIS doesn't have the resolution or depth of field that scanners with the older charge-coupled device sensor had. CCD was better at capturing an object not directly in contact with the scanner surface, such as a coin in plastic. You can still buy a flatbed scanner with a CCD sensor. However, I think photographing your coins will give you much better quality in the long run.

Read on for a rundown of the equipment and lighting technique needed to take big-time photos of small objects. >>

QUESTION

We have a Windows 7 computer that my stepdaughter's husband set up for us. Out of the blue, a Guest user icon showed up. We're not sure whether it's something we inadvertently caused or something he might have triggered to monitor our activity. We would like to delete this Guest user if that is the case. Any suggestions?
-Tom from Richmond, KY, listens to my weekly radio show on WVLK 590 AM

ANSWER

It can be scary when your computer starts misbehaving, Tom, especially when someone set it up for you. You never know what kind of monitoring programs they may have put on it. Although it's good to be skeptical, I don't think that is what happened here. The Guest account is a standard Windows feature. It's actually there to protect your data. Although I can't say how it got turned on, the Guest account is easy enough to turn off; you just have to know where to look. Before you do that, let me explain what the Guest account does. You might decide to keep it turned on.

Read on to learn more about the Guest account, what it's for and how to manage it. >>

QUESTION

I am a regular listener of your program, and a Kim's Club member. Love the show and your insight on everything digital. I am looking for a new smartphone and I notice that you are a big fan of everything Apple. But after considering the iPhone 4S, I think the size of the screen is small. I am now turning my attention to the Samsung Galaxy Note. I would really like your honest take on this device. Thanks!
-Tim from Oak Creek, WI, listens to my national radio show on WISN 1130 AM.

ANSWER

You're right; I do talk about Apple a lot and I love my iPhone 4S. However, I respect you wanting to try out some other options. There are plenty of alternatives out there, and one of those might be more your style. The Samsung Galaxy Note is a recent release exclusive to AT&T. With its 5.3-inch screen, it's branded as half smartphone, half tablet. Most smartphone screens are less than 4.3 inches, while tablets are generally more than 7 inches. It's also priced in the middle, at $300 with a two-year contract. That's a bit more than a smartphone and a bit less than a tablet.

Is this new gadget a smartphone or a tablet? It's actually a bit of both. I'll tell you how it stacks up against the competition. >>

QUESTION

I have several computers, and I use both Internet Explorer and Firefox on all of them. Is there a way to have all my bookmarks available on any computer, using any browser? It has been a major chore to consolidate my favorites into one perfect list! Thanks!
-Robert from Bakersfield, CA, listens to my national radio show on KERN 1180 AM.

ANSWER

It's rare to find people who use only one computer these days. Most people have a laptop, work computer or tablet in addition to their main computer. Although using multiple machines and different browsers is convenient, managing all your favorite sites can be a nightmare. Bookmarks ease your browsing experience, but they don't help much if you can't find them! Luckily, there are several solutions to this problem.

Find out how to keep your favorite sites organized over multiple browsers and computers. >>

QUESTION

Hi Kim! I read that a new company has released a personal Wi-Fi hotspot that lets you connect to the Internet for free on the go. I travel frequently and could really use a device to connect to Wi-Fi wherever I am. Is this the real deal, or should I keep looking?
-Tara from Columbus, OH, listens to my national radio show on WTVN 610 AM.

ANSWER

I read dozens of emails every week with people asking for the best way to stay connected on the go. That "new" company you mention is one that Internet veterans may remember. It's NetZero - a company that used to offer free, ad-supported Internet service. When the dot-com bubble burst, NetZero went the way of the dinosaur. Now, it's back and jumping into the mobile hotspot game. It offers free mobile broadband instead of charging $20 to $80 a month like AT&T or Verizon. Seems like a great deal, right?

Read on to learn all the details of NetZero's offer and whether it's right for you. >>

You Need to Know:

Microsoft's amazing home of the future

If there's no place like home, check out Microsoft's house of the future. In this video, Kim shows you around.

It's futuristic and very digital! >>

Get overage alerts from your carrier

With fast modern cellular networks, it's easy to go over your use limit.

Find out how to keep track of your usage to avoid hefty overage fees. >>

Boring old phone calls are so 20th century! You should be talking face to face. The future is here to stay thanks to these free video-chat apps for your mobile devices.
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE >>

Keep up to date on all things digital with the Daily News at Komando.com. You'll find easy, fast video news releases, too!
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE >>

On the hunt for Easter ideas? Find crafts, recipes and party tips at one egg-cellent website!
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE >>

Get the functionality of a tablet for pennies! Here's where you can turn paper into fun.
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE >>

4G is the hottest topic in cellular communication right now. Providers are clamoring to convince you that they have the best network. Who's right? I'll give you the real scoop on 4G.
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE >>

When Stephanie Nielson's plane crashed, she suffered burns to 80 percent of her body and was in a coma for 4 months. Since then, her life has become an inspiration. Marvel at her strong spirit in this video.
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE >>