Recent Comments
Comment by Steve_K on [TIP] Find The Lowest Airfares Online (September 7, 2022 03:25 AM)
Lot of good information here. Many thanks....
Comment by M. William Hill on [TIP] Find The Lowest Airfares Online (September 6, 2022 11:23 PM)
skiplagged.com Our eldest daughter travels frequently and finds this the most effective of all the sites out there. The site slogan is "finding the ...
Comment by Gordon Peterson on [TIP] Find The Lowest Airfares Online (September 6, 2022 11:05 PM)
I'm surprised you didn't even mention the issue of the "come-on" pricing that many airlines use regarding baggage fees and other charges. I much pref...
Comment by Donna on [TIP] Find The Lowest Airfares Online (September 6, 2022 10:36 PM)
Agoda is great at finding deals....
Comment by Eric B. on [TIP] Find The Lowest Airfares Online (September 6, 2022 10:02 PM)
ita, now owned by Google, is the best place to start a search. Very flexible search criteria and since it does not sell flights gives a unbiased avail...
Comment by Karena on Don't Get Scammed on Craigslist (watch out for Schmeckpepers) (September 5, 2022 08:31 PM)
Jo L. Will: The "seller" initiated the number switch w/Google, and is trying to trick you into giving them the code that *Google* sent you....
Comment by Chris Wrang on Should You Post on a Gripe Site? (September 4, 2022 03:40 PM)
Of course one should post gripes with corps. online. I've had many very negative interactions with corps. – small and big ones - over the years, tim...
Comment by Ed on Should You Post on a Gripe Site? (September 4, 2022 01:15 AM)
Reply to Sylvia and Wolf. You are right to a degree. The BBB has no authority to enforce anything. They are only a go between. Unfortunately many peop...
Comment by Wolf on Should You Post on a Gripe Site? (September 3, 2022 04:47 AM)
Thank you Bob for another informative article! I agree with Sylvia that the BBB is toothless. I had some front end work done by a car mechanic, and, s...
Comment by Coco on Security Tip: Offline Malware Scanners (September 3, 2022 02:39 AM)
It appears that the program that Bob is talking about, is no longer supported by Microsoft. However, I did find it available here: https://www.majorg...
Personal Articles
Can You Spare a Few Electrons?
I love my job. Every day, I help people use computers and the Internet, answering their questions and pointing them to resources that will save them time, trouble, or money. I especially love it when readers become friends and people tell me that they're using what they've learned here to help others. It's very satisfying, but there is one favor I'd like to ask of you. Please read on...
...Hey, It's My (digital) Birthday!
Today I'm celebrating a birthday. It was 24 years ago, in July 1995, that The Internet Tourbus first rolled out into cyberspace. And ten years later, AskBobRankin.com was born. With thanks to awesome readers like you, I'll keep on keeping on, with my continuing guaranteed to make you better looking and 146% smarter. Read on!
...A Big Milestone + Geekly Update
Today I'm celebrating an anniversary -- 20 years of online publishing! The Internet Tourbus first rolled out into cyberspace in July 1995, and ten years later, AskBobRankin.com was born. With thanks to awesome readers like you, I'll keep on keeping on. Today's Geekly Update is an expanded version, with twenty items that are guaranteed to make you 146% smarter. Read, think and comment!
...Announcing... The Rankin File!
I've started a new website, and what better day to officially announce it than on my birthday? The Rankin File offers 'small business tech and tips' for those who run their own business. If you have a home-based business, a small business with employees, or you're even thinking about starting your own business, The Rankin File is for you! And as the name suggests, it's not just for business owners. If you're a secretary, office manager, or wannabe techie, my tips will help you score points with the boss. Read on to learn more about what you'll find in the Rankin File...
...Tourbus - The Final Bus Stop
In case you haven't heard, The Internet Tourbus is rolling up to its final stop. After 16 years of online publishing, Tourbus is one of the longest-running email newsletters. But two things have happened this year, prompting me to hit the brakes. Here's the full story...
...Who is Bob Rankin?
Every so often, people ask about my background, and how I got started with computers and the Internet. I've published bits and pieces of my bio before, but never a detailed account of my professional life. So here it is, with a few interesting personal asides...
...My Cholesterol Level is Too High!
After a routine physical, I got the news from my doctor that my cholesterol is too high. My diet is pretty healthy, and I'm not in bad shape for a 48-year-old guy. But this LDL and HDL stuff is a wakeup call for me. Clearly I need to exercise more and be aware of foods to avoid high cholesterol. So here's my 4-month plan to knock 40 or 50 points off that cholesterol number, without using any prescription drugs...
...Bonzai - It's a New Puppy!
I know I'm supposed to write about computers, the Internet and nifty gadgets, but life is more than all that electronic stuff. I'm so happy with my new puppy that I've just got to show him off...
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