Week of March 26 - 31

Learn what to buy with my newest guide

Thinking of buying a new tech gadget, but aren't sure where to start? My all-new Essential Tech Buying Guide is the answer! It contains buying advice for computers, tablets, e-readers and more.
Grab it now from my store.>>

QUESTION

My daughter is getting married in June and I have been tasked to prepare the video that will be shown at the rehearsal dinner. Of course, most of the pictures will need to be scanned. I currently own a Lexmark Pinnacle Pro901 all-in-one. Is it similar to the 3-in-1 media convertor you sell? If I get the 3-in-1, what software do you recommend to build a slideshow with music? I want to include some video clips that I have shot over the years.
-Alden from Hoover, AL, listens to my national radio show on WAPI 100.5 FM.

ANSWER

Congratulations on your daughter's big day, Alden! Your Lexmark all-in-one does have a decent scanner built in. The problem is, if you have quite a few photos, it will take a long time to scan and adjust them to look good. One of the reasons I offer the 3-in-1 media converter in my store (where I make available great digital solutions that I've found just for my listeners and readers) is because its faster than a flat-bed scanner. On top of that, it automatically adjusts exposure and balances color temperature. You don't even need to use a computer with the 3-in-1, since it has an onboard SD card! No wonder it's the best-selling item in my store.
(PS: I offered Alden 20 percent off the 3-in-1, and I'll extend this great offer to you, too. I can only do it until tomorrow, though. Order before midnight (April 2), and enter promo code EXTEND20 to get this special deal. I'm sure you'll find it very useful!)

Read on to learn the best scan settings for a photo slideshow and what free slideshow software you can use. >>

QUESTION

Hi Kim. My wife is struggling to get off the Internet at a reasonable time, frequently coming to bed at 2 or 3 a.m. and sleeping late the next day. She is open to a software program that would automatically disable the Internet at night. We have a MacBook Pro, iMac, and the new iPad. Can you recommend a solution? This is really starting to affect our home life.
-Dan from San Antonio, TX, listens to my national radio show on WOAI 1200 AM.

ANSWER

I'm not a professional, Dan, but I'd say your wife is showing signs of Internet addiction. It's a very real problem that I've addressed before for children and teens. If it does look like your wife is at risk, you will want to bring in a trained and licensed psychologist. Before you head down that road, however, setting up time-based Internet access is definitely worth a shot.

Read on to learn some practical ways for controlling when the Internet is accessible. >>

QUESTION

Kim, my husband was an avid listener to your program for years. Tragically, he passed away in December and I am lost without him in so many ways! He was a true computer buff and refused to ever let a problem stump him, but I stick to the basics. One question I have is about my husband's email account. He receives many messages from women with strange email addresses saying "Where are you?" and other questions asking about him. I found even more of these in his Junk folder. Naturally, this just destroys me. I do not open them ever, but still find it upsetting. Is there anything I can do? Thank you for any help you can give me. Best wishes!
-Jeanne of Port Orchard, WA, listens to my national radio show on KFQD 103.7 FM/750 AM.

ANSWER

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, Jeanne. Those email messages must be tough for you to see, but you don't need to worry. Those "women" are really spammers and automated computer viruses that got your husband's email address sometime in the past. It's good that you never open the email as they can be dangerous.

Want to keep your inbox squeaky clean and free of spam? I will teach you how. >>

QUESTION

I am planning a trip to Europe and want to inquire about cellular. I was wondering whether it is practical to use cellular in Europe. I understand AT&T is the only option, but hear you have to buy a SIM card for each country, and it sounds expensive. I can see Internet coming in handy for GPS services, checking train schedules and translator apps when Wi-Fi is not available. Do you have a practical solution?
-Bob from Ohio watches my national radio show live with his Kim's Club membership.

ANSWER

Adapting your mobile devices to other countries can be confusing and frustrating. Traveling overseas should be fun, not a headache. You should contact your carrier to determine whether your phone will work in Europe, as well as ask about fees and rates for international use. You do NOT want to use your domestic plan abroad, especially for data.

Still, having a cellphone overseas can be incredibly useful. Read on to discover how you can save big while traveling across the globe. >>

QUESTION

I saw in your News of the Day newsletter that the NSA is building a huge data center to capture Internet communication. That has me worried. Can you go into more detail about what information it will store and what I can do to protect my privacy?
-Walt from Mobile, AL, listens to my national radio show on WAVH 106.5 FM.

ANSWER

I don't blame you for worrying about your privacy, Walt. Keeping your information safe is already tough thanks to social media, search engines and online tracking systems. Now, the government is becoming involved. The Department of Homeland Security, for example, already filters public Facebook and Twitter posts for certain keywords.

That's a little worrisome. Read on to learn why the NSA's top-secret project might be even more worrisome. >>

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