How to delete all your Facebook posts and comments

Maybe you woke up from a long night and realize you've made a horrible mistake, posting dozens of embarrassing pictures (or worse) to Facebook. Maybe you've just decided that your five years on Facebook were experimental and you'd rather move on.
In either case, deleting more than a couple of posts or pictures can be a major pain. CNET's Elinor Mills recently wrote up a neat Android tool called Exfoliate that can scour your Facebook history and permanently delete some or all content. (iPhone users should see it come to the App Store soon.) Here's how to use it:

Facebook Wall before Exfoliate.

1. Install Exfoliate from the Android Market.
2. Tell Exfoliate which data to delete. This is mostly straightforward, organized into time and content type. If things don't seem to work out the first time, try again with Background Override checked. If you're on a network you trust, you can uncheck Use Https Only to speed up the operation considerably. 
   

   Step 2: Choose data to delete.
3. Sign in to Facebook. Exfoliate doesn't retain your log-in information. 
4. Authorize Exfoliate as a Facebook app. It needs a lot of permissions, as it has a lot of work to do. 
5. Now is your last chance to reconsider. Start Exfoliate by tapping the big button on the bottom of the screen. 
   

   Step 5: Begin processing.
6. If you get cold feet or suddenly remember you need to save a pic or two, you may have a chance to stop some deletions. Exfoliate starts with the oldest data, so you can tap the cancel button and hope you caught it in time. If not, it's gone forever, so think carefully. 
7. This is a slow process. If you're deleting more than a few posts, you should probably leave it running and plugged in overnight. 
   

   Facebook Wall after Exfoliate.

That's it. As with any other app or service that makes irrevocable changes, you should think carefully before using it. For some users, though, Exfoliate could be a life-saver.

Google Docs using All of it

Not many people use only one computer. In fact, most of us hop from machine to machine in the course of a workday.
The best way to make sure you can access your important files from any of the various machines in your digital life is to store the files online. If you use Google Docs as your online file repository, these tips will help shorten your workday.
Send a zipped copy of all your Google Docs files to your hard drive
Most PC users back up their important files by copying them to an optical disc or USB storage device, or by uploading them to an online storage service. Now online backups work the other way, too.
To download all your Google Docs documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and other files to your PC in a single zipped file, select any file and click More > Download. Choose "All items" and check a file type or "Don't download (skip)" in the drop-down menus for each file category. You can also change all formats to MS Office, Open Office, or PDF.

Pick the types of files you want to back up in each of the categories of the Google Docs Convert and Download dialog.

(Credit: screenshot by Dennis O'Reilly)

It took less than a minute to compress and download 300 files--mostly Word documents and Excel spreadsheets--to a 68MB ZIP file. If you prefer not to wait for the download to complete, click "Email when ready" to have Google send you a link when the file is available for download.
Use Google Docs auto-correct to save typing
The Google Docs text editor suggests corrections for misspelled words: right-click or Command-click the word, choose "Always correct to," and select the correct spelling from the terms suggested.

Add terms to the auto-correct list in Google Docs via suggestions on the context menu.

(Credit: screenshot by Dennis O'Reilly)

You can also create shortcuts for commonly entered text, such as your name, title, employer, or other oft-repeated boilerplate term. To do so, click Tools > Preferences, enter the shortcut keys in the Replace box, and the text of your choice in the With box. Now when you enter that text string followed by a space the longer boilerplate will appear.

Create shortcuts for text you frequently enter by adding the keystrokes and replacement text in Google Docs' Preferences dialog.

(Credit: screenshot by Dennis O'Reilly)

To prevent Google Docs from automatically creating fractions, ellipses, copyright and trademark symbols, and other special characters, uncheck to item in the Preferences list, or click the x to the right to delete the item.
Keyboard shortcuts especially for Google Docs
Most of us can remember about a dozen keyboard shortcuts that we use regularly. In a post from 2008, I describe how to create a text file listing dozens of keystroke combinations, so the only keyboard shortcut you have to remember is the one you assign to open that file.
To open the Google Docs version of this keyboard-shortcut cheat sheet, press Ctrl (or Command on a Mac) and / (forward slash). Alternatively, you could add these five Google Docs keystroke combos to your master shortcut list:
Ctrl-Shift-C: View a word count
Ctrl-Shift-Y: View the selected word's definition
Ctrl-; (semicolon): Move to the next misspelled word
Alt-Shift-F: Move to the menu bar
Ctrl-\ (backslash): Clear formatting
Bonus tip: To maximize your view in Google Docs, enter Ctrl-Shift-F to activate the full-screen view. Click View > Full screen to hide the controls. Press Esc to view the controls, and Ctrl-Shift-F again to revert to the normal view.
Make files accessible to everyone or only invitees
All the files you store on Google Docs are private by default. To share a file, right-click it and choose Share. From this menu you can send the file as an e-mail attachment, send an e-mail to the collaborators you designate, or choose Share again to open the "Share settings" dialog.
Click Change under "Who has access" to make the file public (accessible to anyone on the Web) or available to anyone with a link to the file. These two options don't require any sign-in, and you can designate whether viewers can edit the file as well.
You can also keep the file private but share it with only the people you designate. This setting requires that collaborators sign in to access the file. Click in the "Add people" text box and enter an e-mail address, or select entries from your contacts list.

Share files in Google Docs with only the people you specify in the "Share settings" dialog.

(Credit: screenshot by Dennis O'Reilly)

By default, the people you share with can also edit the file. Click "Can edit" on the right to limit them to commenting or only viewing the document. You can also paste the file's content into the message and send yourself a copy.

How to scan and archive your old printed photos

Chances are you have a stack of photo albums collecting dust in a closet somewhere. Maybe they make for a fun coffee table chat, but if you want to share your memories with friends and family online, or simply create a backup of your photos, where do you start?
There are several ways to go about digitizing your printed photo collection. Depending on how many photos you have and how DIY-eager you are, your choice will vary.
1. For the highest quality, use a scanner
To ensure minimal loss in original photo quality, use a flatbed scanner. This might be an old standalone scanner, or (most likely) in your all-in-one printer. If you don't own one, you can check out the best models here.
In a dust-free environment, set up your scanning station. First, remove any dust or dirt from your prints with a microfiber cloth or alcohol-based cleaning wipe. Then, clean your scanner's glass with these simple instructions.

It's important that you thoroughly clean both the photos and scanner, as the scanner's sensitive sensor will pick up even a speck of dust on the glass or on the photo.
Before you scan the photos, consider the way in which you'll organize them. By date? By event? How will the files be named? The options are endless, but no matter which method you choose, choose a system before you scan, and organize your printed photos into stacks accordingly.
If you need some guidance, check out this guide to organizing your photos.
With that out of the way, you can begin scanning your photos. Because each printer manufacturer's scanning software is different, I can't offer step-by-step instructions, but here are some tips:

• Scan multiple photos at once. On an average-sized scanner bed, you should be able to scan 4 4x6 photos at once, and crop them later. Use this method to cut down scanning time.
• Select a resolution of at least 300dpi, and up to 600dpi if you plan to order enlargements.
• Take advantage of editing options. Most scanning software will allow you to crop, adjust color, adjust brightness, and remove red-eye. 

2. Use your phone to scan photos
With a free app and a smartphone with a high-quality camera (like the iPhone 4S or Samsung Galaxy S III), you can quickly scan your old photos, archive them, and share your memories with friends online.
(This won't replicate the quality of the first method, but good if you want to scan photos in a pinch or don't own a scanner.)

First, download and install Shoebox, a free app for iPhone and Android. Once you sign up (or log in with Facebook), you can begin scanning your photos. But, before you do, here's are some tips for prepping your assembly line:

• Dust off your photos with a microfiber cloth, or a alcohol-based cleaning wipe for really dirty prints.
• Find a well-lit area with lots of natural light and few shadows.
• Clean your phone's camera lens with a microfiber cloth, or a cotton swab and a drop of isopropyl alcohol.

Now you're ready to "scan" your photos with your phone. Launch Shoebox and hit the red camera button. Then, with the photo laying down, position your phone so that it's parallel to the photo. Finally, tap to focus and hit the shutter button.
From there, crop the photo by dragging the crop lines. And, if you need to, adjust the saturation and brightness so that the scanned photo matches the original. You'll then be asked to put the photo in a "Shoebox" (like an album), if you want. Finally, add extra information, like when the photo was taken and who's in it.
Repeat the process for the additional photos. All scanned photos will be saved to your camera roll and be made available online via the link provided at the bottom of the app's Uploads tab.
Now you can post the photos on Facebook or store them in your preferred photo storage site, like Flickr or Picasa.
3. Outsource the work to someone else
If all of this sounds like one giant headache, consider outsourcing your photo scanning to a professional, paid service. For example, ScanDigital.com will scan, crop, edit, and archive your photos at $.48 - $.68 per photo, depending on the scan quality you choose.
 Source: http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57457439-285/how-to-scan-and-archive-your-old-printed-photos/

Get phone alerts for suspicious activity on your Google account

The end-user is at the mercy of the service creator when it comes to how secure their data will be online. Google, fortunately, offers extra opt-in features to help ensure than no one other than you will be able to log-in and access your information. One of these security measures is the two-step authentication process.
With two-step, the user decides if they want to enter a randomly generated code each time they log in from a specific place, or if they want to enter it only every 30 days. The benefit is that if you try to log in from elsewhere, Google will ask you for the code again, thus preventing unwanted users from accessing the account. In the past, Google offered to e-mail you when an unauthorized person was attempting to log in to your two-step secured account, but now there's a new option: phone notifications.
If you are someone who gets a great deal of e-mail per day, you may have e-mail notifications silenced; otherwise, you'd be hearing a jingle on your desk or from your pocket every 15-30 minutes. By using the phone notifications for suspicious account activity -- and as long as you don't have those silent at the time, too -- you're likely to be alerted more promptly in the event that someone is trying to crack your account password. Here's how to enable those notifications:
Step 1: Log in to your Google account and click on your profile picture in the top-right corner, then choose Account. You can also click this link if you're already logged in.

(Credit: Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET)

Step 2: On the left-hand side of the page, click the Security link. Scroll down to Notifications. You may need to verify your phone number if you have not done so in the past.

(Credit: Screenshot by Nicole Cozma/CNET)

Step 3: Once verified, check the boxes next to Password change and Suspicious log-in attempt.
Now you will receive these notifications on your phone, offering you a chance to know right away when someone is trying to log in. If you do receive one of these alerts, it's a good idea to change your password. If you're especially worried about the security of your account, consider reading How to check the strength of your passwords before setting a new one.

Source: http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57566047-285/get-phone-alerts-for-suspicious-activity-on-your-google-account/

Launch of the PS4 and Xbox 720

2012 saw the launch of Nintendo's Wii U – the first of the eighth generation games consoles.* By late 2013, it is joined by the PS4 and Xbox 720.* These new machines offer major improvements in graphical power. Both have eight-core CPUs, each clocked at 1.6GHz and based on the 28nm fabrication standard. Using the new "Jaguar" technology by AMD, this processor architecture gives optimal balance of power consumption and performance.
Codenamed "Orbis", the PS4 uses Radeon HD graphics hardware, with 18 compute units running at 800MHz. Handling screen resolutions of 4000 x 2000 pixels, as well as 3D gaming in full 1080p,* it has 4GB of ultra-fast GDDR5 memory with 512MB reserved for the OS.
Codenamed "Durango", the Xbox 720 features slower DDR3 RAM, but double the volume of the PS4, with 8GB including 3GB dedicated to the OS. It also has two cores reserved for customisable apps which can be run in parallel with gameplay.
Both consoles are much closer in design to gaming PCs than their predecessors, allowing stronger ports to the desktop computer format.*

Samsung shows off whopping 110-inch TV

While claims of "world's biggest" have been quite liberally applied to many products at CES 2013, here is a product that is truly big: Samsung's 110-inch 4K television.
The TV dwarfs the UN85S9 announced earlier this week, but at this stage it is only a prototype. It shares the same design elements, though, with the tilt-back easel design and relatively slim bezel. I'm not sure what it is about 110 inches -- there are a lot of products that are the same size this year -- maybe it's the biggest size that will fit in a delivery van. Or something more arcane like the metric length of Henry VIII's forearm.
As a prototype it misses out on features like an upgraded smart TV suite and all of the other Samsung goodies announced this year.
The Samsung UN85S9 will be coming online in 2013, but don't expect to see the 110-incher for a while.