Trick #1: Outsmart Microsoft!

How many times has a message appeared on your computer screen asking if it's OK to report an incident or error report to Microsoft? We'll bet they have never come back to you with a quick solution (or any solution). We'll even bet that they have never come back to you - period.

If you are running Windows XP, here's how to make that pesky nag screen go away for good: Right-click on My Computer. Select the Properties/.Advanced tab/ Error Reporting button and select the "Disable error reporting" option. Leave a checkmark in the "But notify me when critical errors occur" box.

That move alone will eliminate all but the most critical nag messages - the ones that never bring you a solution.

That's it and Shazam - the evil empire is off your back!

Trick #2: Make Your Photos Look Great

Here's the choice. If you are a graphics professional you can go out and spend lots of bucks for image editing tools. On the other hand if your livelihood doesn't depend on top of the line software and you just want to occasionally crop, edit and touch up a photo and other graphics, then these folks can help.

This "cloud based" program will do all of the usual editing you'll need. You can create a new image, open and edit an image from your computer or the web and create an image library - all without having to install any software.

And the nice part is - it's on the house.

Great Place #1: Is That Web Site Safe?

There are a lot of unsavory places on the web that are out to getcha! A few of the tools in their arsenal are viruses, phishing, and spyware. They're out to get your credit card numbers - your passwords - or even crash your computer and remember that by the time you visit a Web site it's usually too late.

When in doubt go to this tail saving site first - insert the URL and get an instant report showing if it's safe or not. You'll feel more comfortable traveling the web knowing that this free service comes to you from Norton -the security experts.

Nice people!

Great Place #2: Run Programs In The "Cloud"

Are you getting overloaded with programs that slow down your computer? Would you like to eliminate some of the mess that loads up every time you start your machine each day? Would you like to try some new programs without cost and run them from the" Cloud"? If so it will pay you to visit this forward thinking site.

These people have put together over a thousand applications that you can launch from the web with no installation -- so you can use them instantly - no matter where you are.

Outta sight!

Copies of all previous "Real Estate CyberTips" columns complete with all direct links are available at REcyber.com.

Published: April 4, 2011

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

John M. "Jack" Peckham is the Executive Director of REcyber.com (the Real Estate CyberSpace Society). In that capacity he oversees the development and delivery of the latest up to the minute Real Estate Cyberspace tools, strategies, networking structures and services that the Society provides its members to leverage their effectiveness, visibility, professionalism and earnings. As host of Real Estate CyberSpace Radio, he provides over 40 hours of programming to help listeners integrate the power of the Internet into their daily business lives. He is the author of several real estate books published by Prentice Hall and Harcourt Brace Jovanovich including his latest Master Guide to Income Property Brokerage from Wiley Publishing. A columnist for the Boston Herald for nine years, his syndicated columns have appeared in over 100 papers nationwide. Jack loves to sell real estate has been involved directly in the sale of over one billion dollars in Real Estate. Today he sells in his jeans and fuzzy slippers as a one-man shop and has closed over $40,000,000 in sales on the Internet recently in 20% of his working time. The balance he spends directing the affairs of the 10,000 member Real Estate CyberSpace Society. The Society awards the RECS (Real Estate CyberSpace Specialist) Designation to members based on the current criteria. He served as Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee for the National Association of Realtors (NAR), is a Past President of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors and has been honored as the Massachusetts State Realtor of the Year. You can reach Jack at or by calling 617-523-4441.