InfoStar.com - Current Top 10+ Web Sites announced by Peter Greene

This list is for providing you with easy access to these "useful" Web pages. Please visit my "Tips and Favorite Applications" Page, WEBHITZ for access to our Web menus! Use of the products and services offered on any of these Web pages is at your own risk! E-Mail me and give me your feedback at pgreene@infostar.com. Due to the volume of email I get I cannot possibly reply to every message!

Next show is ? - to be announced

Wiktionary.org - [since 2002] a free dictionary in several different languages. Described as a multilingual, web-based project to create a free content dictionary of terms in all natural languages and a number of artificial languages. The entries may contain definitions, pronunciation guides, inflections, usage examples, related terms, images for illustration, and more.
Wikibooks.org - [since 2003] creation of a free content e-book textbooks and annotated texts that anyone can edit.
Wikiquote.org - [since 2003] is a free online compendium of sourced quotations from notable people and creative works in every language, translations of non-English quotes, and more.
Wikisource.org - [since 2003] is a free library of source texts which are in the public domain or legally available for free redistribution.
Wikiversity.org - [since 2006] is a Wikimedia Foundation project devoted to learning resources, learning projects, and research for use in all levels, types, and styles of education. It is available in many different languages.
Wikimedia Commons - [since 2004; a/k/a simply "Commons"] is an online repository of free-use images, sounds, other media, and JSON files [JavaScript Object Notation - is an open-standard file format or data interchange format].
Wikivoyage.org - [since 2012] the free, worldwide travel guide that anyone can edit. Available in many different languages.
Wikinews.org - [since 2004] is a free-content news source wiki and a project of the Wikimedia Foundation. The site works through collaborative journalism.
Wikidata.org - [since 2012] the free knowledge base with 69,557,845 data items that anyone [humans and machines] can edit. Wikidata acts as central storage for the structured data of its Wikimedia sister projects including Wikipedia, Wikivoyage, Wiktionary, Wikisource, and others.
WikimediaFoundation.org - [since 2001] the Wikimedia Foundation [non-profit] provides the essential infrastructure for free knowledge. They host Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, created, edited, and verified by volunteers around the world, as well as many other vital community projects. All of which is made possible thanks to donations from individuals [like you and anyone else!]. They welcome anyone who shares their vision to join them in collecting and sharing knowledge that fully represents human diversity. [In 2001, Jimmy Wales, an Internet entrepreneur, and Larry Sanger, an online community organizer and philosophy professor, founded Wikipedia as an Internet encyclopedia to supplement Nupedia. The project was originally funded by Bomis, Jimmy Wales's for-profit business.]
End of top 10 for this month
Windows 10 - creating a recovery thumbdrive, Windows 10 recovery drive #2 or Windows 8 or 10 recovery drive Solution #3.
Windows 10 Missing Fonts Solution #1 or try this other Windows 10 Missing Fonts Solution #2.
DoNotCall.gov - National Do Not Call Registry - Wisconsin now uses this - but here is Wisconsin's DoNotCall Web resource: Wisconsin Do Not Call Registry. Also visit: How to report unwanted calls.
How to Stop Unwanted Calls on Your Cell Phone or Landline: Lifewire.com article, HowToGeek.com article, and PCMag.com article.
Another resource to check out for Cell Phone/PC/Online privacy and security apps (software) that includes secure & encrypted chat, messaging, calling; plus password managers, Web browsing in privacy, and more is: Tom's Guide article. I use "CM Security" on my Samsung Android powered phone to screen and block almost every annoying "telemarketer" incoming cell phone call. Please note ---> that this is not an endorsement by me; it works ok but is not without its own quirks. Use it at your own risk.
Troubleshooting Windows 10 printer problemsLast show's tip on how to fix common Windows 10 printer problems (it is not you - it is Microsoft that keeps having trouble!.

*****macrium.com - another backup software program; also has ghosting feature (duplicating "drives" - especially hard drives - check out their FREE version of their "Macrium Reflect" software.
****Classic Shell ---> This is a Windows 8 "free utility" to make it look more like Windows-7 or Windows XP. I have used it a few times on Windows 8 systems; and, it has worked well for me. Good luck!

Peter Greene's Selection of Most Popular Applications (Apps) - Software

Microsoft "Office" - remember Visicalc? WordStar? WordPerfect? Lotus 1-2-3? Multiplan? Also now: "Google Docs"
Adobe's "Photoshop" - they are also known for their "Creative Suite". Related - remember Corel Draw? Saw money and use "Google's Picasa".
"Google's Gmail". Also: Yahoo Mail, AOL, Outlook by Microsoft, Windows Live Mail (by Microsoft), Apple Mail.
"Google Maps" or just using your smartphone for a GPS [Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based satellite navigation system]. Remember MapQuest?
Google's "YouTube". Along with "Twitter", "Pinterest" and "Facebook" you are a social butterfly. Remember "MySpace"?.
"eBay" - connects buyer's and seller's from all over the world.
"Speedtest.net" by Ookla; just nice to know how face your Internet connection really is. I have been using this for years and really appreciate it!
"Skype" (for traveling) - it has changed hands (owners) a few times. So the rules / costs might change just like cell phone plans do!
"WhatsApp" (for traveling) - also handy for travelling outside the U.S.
Apple's "iTunes". If you own an Apple product then you pretty much have to use it. But don't forget this handy app --->"i-FunBox" [I like the classic version]
The "Staples": Operating Systems: Free"Ubuntu" and paid for version such as Apple's OSX (Yeosemite) and Microsoft Windows 8.1 (I still like 7 over 8). I think OSX runs better and if you hate doing backups you can't beat TimeMachine in OSX. Under the hood Apple's OSX really is a version of Unix; and Linux (Ubuntu, Redhat and others) is also a version of Unix.
The other Staples: Web browser - Mozilla's "FireFox". And the others: Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Chrome, Apple's Safari.

*** Below are last month's choices ****

RouterPasswords.com - a router password online database accessible to everyone. To find the default password of your router select the manufacturer from the drop-down and click the Find Password Button.
https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST05-003 - securing wireless network tips from a great resource.
EverydayHealth.com - a comprehensive resource to help you with health related issues, including diet & nutrition, meal planner, calorie counter and more.
EuroNews.com - a resource that covers news and issues on the other side of the Atlantic.
TheScore.com - this resource covers all the major sports - NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB.
TechDirt.com - this resource follows technology, including searching for the best tech deals, jobs and more.
WaterwayGuide.com - Waterway Guide reports the changing status of waterways and facilities year-round throughout its media channels. In the case of natural disasters, they compile and post specific listings to keep boaters informed as travel, safety and navigation are compromised.
TripSavvy.com - a worldwide travel vacation resource to help you plan your next trip abroad.
PuckPedia.com - a comprehensive resource of information for hockey fans and professionals.
LifeHacker.com - a resource to help you resource "stuff' that affects your life style everyday. Their article on how to "Create Secure Passwords That You Will Remember". LifeHacker Password Creation Article.

As discussed on a previous show - I have listed resources to help you search for access to public information, and, information that may be purchased.

Note: I have no affiliation or am I making any endorsement for use of these resources; just pointing out examples to access this kind of information on the Internet and World Wide Web. I tried to group the resources together as best as possible.

Keep in mind that even though you may sign-up to be a member of a Web site - that some of your information, such as a "user name" for your membership may be accessible outside of that resource by search engines such as Google.com (this also includes images). So you may want to change your use of your "user name" across multiple sites; similar to changing your use of the same passwords to protect yourself. Or it is a question to ask yourself - how visible or invisible do I want to be online? If you associate your name (even a nickname or alias and someone knows it) with a face then you are visible.

A way to save money - sign-up for a trial account that may give you "a 7-day window to use the service" if you pay the annual fee; however, make sure you note the cancellation date or you may end-up paying for the entire year!

Google.com [make sure you check out their "Other Products Page"] , Google's Image search, YouTube.com (part of Google), and Google's Plus (similar to Facebook); note Google makes money by selling advertising - they make this statement as related to Google Plus - "'Google may use my account information to personalize +1s on content and ads on non-Google web sites.'"
Yahoo.com and Bing.com two other search engines to work with that are also popular.
Facebook has become popular not only for individuals but business and organizations to use as a social media marketing tool to gain popularity.
LinkedIn - typically considered for business professional but also used by others.
MySpace - was more popular before Facebook but still used by individuals. Another social connectivity resource like facebook.
Twitter - a social networking tool - find out what’s happening, right now, with the people and organizations you are interested in (if they tweet !!!).
Manta.com - business community where you can find out more detailed information on a business and its contacts.
Bizapedia.com - provides free online company search and people search tools.
CorporationWiki.com - information on 37+ million Companies and 35+ million executive.
Netprospex.com - helps Business-to-Business companies discover and connect with millions of targeted sales prospects. Find verified contact information, including email, phone, and social media.
LookUpAnyone.com and PublicRecords.com - comprehensive people search resources to use; costs/fees to access (I have no experience with them).
pipl.com - search engine that claims to be the "most comprehensive people search on the Web"; dive into the deep Web to bring you results you won't find in any other search engine then we use a powerful identity resolution engine to link those seemingly disparate results into a set of meaningful profiles so you can easily find the person you are looking for.
Radaris - another comprehensive people search resource to use.
Spoke.com - another comprehensive people search resource to use.
SocialDiligence.com - a social media search tool.
Ancestry.com - looking for close relatives, family tree, divorce, marriage, birth, death records?
Archives.com - claims to have an extensive database of images, newspapers, vital records, and more for your ancestors' historical records.
Areaconnect.com - a resource that has access to local Yellow Pages, White Pages, search, directories, news, weather and more.
411.info - looking for phone numbers, addresses, reverse look-ups?
Netronline.com- gain entrance to those official state Web resources that provide online access to property tax and related information. Check out the State of Wisconsin info and local Dane County examples below.

and

Wisconsin and local resources examples:
Access to the Public Records of the Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP) from the Wisconsin Court System - commonly referred to as "CCAP"; and City of Madison Property Taxes

selected Peter's schedule for appearing as a guest on Larry Meiller's show can seen by clicking here.

You can listen to Peter on WPR (Wisconsin Public Radio) - 970AM WHA Radio in Madison, WI monthly! It is broadcast live over the WPR radio network from the 7th floor of Vilas Hall, and is "Web casted" live via Real Audio - you'll need the "Real Audio player". The show is 90 minutes in length and covers the latest in PC computer technology , the Internet and the World Wide Web; show is a question & answer format. I have supported Wisconsin Public Radio for over 31+ years with a monthly radio show on computer technology. The show is hosted by Larry Meiller.