Computer2.com ! We have had many experiences with the Internet, Antivirus software and freeware, and the desktop computers in our house, over the years. We have computers with Microsoft Windows and Linux on them. Possibly something on this Computer2.com web page will help you and your computer.

The one piece of Hardware that we strongly recommend to you, is the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite. After she began using this wonderful ergonomic keyboard, approximately ten (10) years ago, it completely eliminated the problem Pilar had with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. She had been to doctors and the possibility of surgery, which may have eliminated or exacerbated her problem, was discussed. A sincere thank you, to the Microsoft Engineers who designed this wonderful product! We have one of these keyboards for each of our Desktop PCs.

Looking for Laptops, Games, Software or Hardware? Buy Direct from the Microsoft Store!

After living in this house for more than 6 1/2 years, we were struck by lightning, twice, in 27 days, during October and November 2010. The first time, it came in on the telephone line. The second time we believe it came in on the power line. Lanny's PC and other things were destroyed. Our Server PC and other things were damaged. We now disconnect the phone line at the wall jack and turn everything off, when there is nearby lightning. Computer2.com suggests that you do the same and disconnect your telephone cable from the wall jack, if you have ADSL internet service, when there is lightning nearby.

Below, we have information on free software for Microsoft Windows and Linux that might be helpful to you:

	AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 is an antivirus freeware program for the Microsoft Windows OS. The updates are usually small files to download and they are also free, for the life of the version of the program. This version allows you to run, once, without paying, their AVG PC Tuneup 2011. Pilar's Windows XP (Service Pack 3) box had severe problems, we were unable to eliminate, with other programs. On 28 December 2010, she ran AVG PC Tuneup 2011 and eliminated those problems from her box. One of the things she tried, without success, was a very old version (V.4.0) of Ontrack's "SystemSuite", which she removed, after using AVG PC Tuneup 2011. One of the issues in her PC was a program that apparently was running, possibly conflicting with AVG Anti Virus Free 2011, but did not show up in the list of programs that could be removed, with the Control Panel Applet in Windows XP, with Ontrack's "SystemSuite", or with any other method we tried.
	Nitro PDF Reader 2 is the only free PDF reader for Microsoft Windows that can create, annotate, save forms, and sign PDF files. Adobe Reader can only read PDF files.
	OpenDNS We had problems with the DNS Servers at our ISP. Frequently, slow DNS or no DNS. We are now using the free DNS service at opendns.com They have DNS servers in 8 cities in the USA, 2 cities in Europe and in Singapore. If you have problems, when using the DNS Servers at your ISP, consider changing to OpenDNS.
	Web CEO is a Search Engine Optimization package that runs on the Microsoft Windows OS. Lanny downloaded, installed and registered the freeware version of Web CEO. It will help him optimize our web sites for the Search Engines that visit. They say that 39% of their users are satisfied with the freeware version of Web CEO and do not purchase a more powerful version.
	CentOS is a Linux distribution for the Enterprise. This is a free clone of a very well known U.S. distribution (Red Hat Enterprise Linux is the upstream distribution) that is not free. It is very stable and very secure. It can be used on Servers in the Enterprise or on Desktops. It is supported, for Security and Stability updates, for years. CentOS has an extremely active Mailing List and the Developers and Users are very helpful. This is the distribution we use on the Desktops in our house.
	IPCop is a Linux distribution for Firewall. It is very popular and extremely well documented. Backups and Updates are very easy to do. We are using IPCop on our oldest PC, to protect our computers (Firewall), to provide Routing services, so the computers connected to our home LAN can all use the Internet at the same time, and as a Caching DNS Server. IPCop includes an Intrusion Detection System called Snort. It provides a second layer of defense right after the firewall. The PC running IPCop is running "Headless". The monitor, keyboard and mouse have been disconnected.
	StartSSL (StartCom Ltd.) issues SSL certificates. We have a StartSSL Free (Class 1) SSL certificate for this web site and the Secure Contact form has AES-256 (256 bit) encryption, which is the same as, or better than, the secure web pages we visit.
	WebHostingTalk They have extremely active forums, related to the pros and cons of various web hosting ISP's; various types of web hosting, ranging from Shared Hosting to a Dedicated Server; technical problems with web hosting hardware and software, offers from web hosting ISPs, etc.

We hope you will visit this Computer2.com web page again. From time to time, we add new things, about our experiences with the Internet, a computer, antivirus freeware or something else we use on our computers.