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ComputorEdge™ Online — 04/18/14

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Windows 8.1 Turns The Corner

Never has a release of Windows changed so much in such a short period of time, but with the latest update, Windows 8.1 is now a good product.

Magazine Summary

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Digital Dave

by Digital Dave

Digital Dave answers your tech questions.

Internet Preferences Getting Reset in Firefox; Microsoft Security Code—Scam or Real?; Snapdo Problem in Web Browser.

Windows 8.1 Update 1 Makes Windows 8 "Windows" Again

by Jack Dunning

Windows 8.1 Update 1 Brings Microsoft Closer to Redemption

It's been a long slough, but Windows 8 (through Windows 8.1 Update 1) has finally become a good—almost intuitive—operating system. Here is what's so good about the latest version.

Windows 8 and AutoHotkey

by Jack Dunning

AutoHotkey Is Still a Powerful Tool in Windows 8

Although unavailable for Windows 8 RT, AutoHotkey continues as a excellent tool for the Windows 8 Desktop and some aspects of Modern UI apps.

Wally Wang's Apple Farm

by Wally Wang

Losing Focus

Losing Focus; Apple TV's Future; Printing Food for the Elderly; The Windows 8 Dilemma; Would You Kill the Fat Man?; Save Passwords.

Editor's Letters: Tips and Thoughts from Readers

by ComputorEdge Staff

Computer and Internet tips, plus comments on the articles and columns.

"CCleaner, NOT PC Cleaner," "Word 2003 Crashes Pasting Web Content," "Selling Pretty Things"

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Digital Dave

“Digital Dave answers your tech questions.”
by Digital Dave

Internet Preferences Getting Reset in Firefox; Microsoft Security Code—Scam or Real?; Snapdo Problem in Web Browser.

Internet Preferences Getting Reset

Dear Digital Dave,

I have a new Toshiba laptop with (ugh) Windows 8.1. I use Firefox as my primary browser. Somehow when I was setting up my Internet preferences (I presume) I apparently did something that reset my homepage from FoxNews.com to something called Conduit blah blah blah. Also, I now have to sign in to my Gmail and Hotmail accounts every time even though I check the "Keep me logged in" box.

When I use Internet Explorer these problems don't happen.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Wes Nelson

Broomfield, CO

Dear Wes,

It is likely that you have inadvertently added some junkware to your browser, probably when you were installing another software program. Conduit is a company noted for adding toolbars and search engines to browsers that will plague you with advertising. I had a similar question a while back about the Wisdom toolbar by Conduit with a more extensive follow up the next week. There are a number of steps necessary to remove these annoying types of programs.

If the offending software is only an extension or add-on then you should be able to remove it through the Tools menu of your browser (Tools => Add-ons => Extensions). (If you don't see the Tools menu in Firefox, press the ALT key and it will pop up at the top of the window.) Look for anything that looks like it might be causing the problem. You might see options to Disable and/or Remove. If you don't have a Remove option then Disable it, but you will definitely need the next step.

Open Programs and Features via the control panel (or do a settings search (+W)). Find the software in the list and uninstall it. If you don't see the name Conduit, then you may need to do some Google research to find out the program name. Usually there is a clue in the name, but anything you don't recognize you can check out with a simple Web search.

Once you have removed the program from your computer, then return to your browser and reset your defaults, whether it is your Home page (Tools => Options => General in Firefox) or your default search engine (click the little down arrow on the left side of the search field for search engine options in Firefox).

By the way, you may appreciate the update to Windows 8.1. See Jack's article this week.

Digital Dave

Microsoft Security Code

Dear Digital Dave,

To access my Hotmail account I received a message today from "Microsoft" that I must furnish them with a security code within six days and update my account information. Is this a legitimate Microsoft request?

Joanne McGrath

Vista, CA

Dear Joanne,

The fact that the request was made urgent (six days) makes me suspect that it's some kind of scam. Whether you received the message as an e-mail or if it was a message that popped up when using Hotmail online also makes a difference.

If it was an e-mail then that only increases my suspicion. This type of approach is often used by phishing schemes. They make the e-mail look official (maybe even including logos) as if it came from a legitimate source (Microsoft, your bank, or other institution). There is usually a link within the e-mail supposedly to the site where you would deal with the issue. However, if you hover the mouse cursor over the link, in most cases the address that displays below is nothing like that of the claimed source. In any case, you should not click the link.

The best way to determine if the request is legitimate is to access your account directly through your usual browser. When you login you should see any such notification.

That's where the next problem comes in. If you're receiving the message when you're logged in, then it is likely a real message. There are quite a few people who have had similar issues with Hotmail. Microsoft claims that they are trying to increase security protections, but they seem to be making a mess of things. People try to verify their accounts, but end up getting locked out for 30 days. I found many such cases on the Web, but no easy solution—except for one. Get rid of Hotmail.

I read through forums for similar Hotmail problems and almost universally the responses were switch to something like Gmail. That is an aggravating answer when you've used the same Hotmail address since you were 14-years old, but sometimes switching services is the best answer.

It seems that one of the tricks that Microsoft uses is to send security codes to unlock accounts to the e-mail address of the account. It's difficult to get the code from an e-mail if you can't get into an account.

One Microsoft issue that I've seen with Windows 8.1 accounts is that people get a notification in that they need to "Verify your identity on this PC." However, there is the same requirement to enter a code which is sent via an e-mail…which never arrives. Some people speculate that it won't send the e-mail to the same requesting e-mail. But what if that is the only e-mail account the user owns? Fortunately, the lack of verification doesn't appear to affect anything in Windows 8.1.

My point is that I can't really tell you if it's a scam or just Microsoft's feeble attempt at being secure. Maybe another reader who has a Hotmail account and has encountered the same issue will give us some guidance.

For now, I would tend to ignore the warnings as long as the e-mail is still working. But if you're working online, then download all of your contacts and messages. If it turns out that you are locked out, you may want to switch to another service. (Some people have been able to access a supposedly locked account by using another device such as a smartphone. Go figure.)

Digital Dave

Snapdo Problem

Dear Digital Dave,

My computer has been invaded by "Snapdo" search engine. I uninstalled it, and it was still there. I used Regedit and removed every instance in the registry, restarted the

computer and it's still there.

Any ideas how to get rid of it?

Larry McLaughlin

Aurora, CO

Dear Larry,

Your problem is not dissimilar to Wes' issue with his start page—except Snapdo is noted for being loaded as a program. It's important to remove it from Programs and Features (Add or Remove Programs in Window XP) as well as the browser, but in addition there is a file called Smartbar.Installer.Mini.exe usually found in the Downloads folder. (Do a search.) It may be that this is set to run each time you reboot which will bring Snapdo right back. You need to find and delete this file while uninstalling the programs and extensions. The items installed by this file are: Adware.Downware.1561, MSIL/Toolbar.Linkury.B, ADW_LINKURY, and Adware.Linkury. You should be able to search for these or use anti-adware software to find and delete them.

Digital Dave

Windows 8.1 Update 1 Makes Windows 8 "Windows" Again

“Windows 8.1 Update 1 Brings Microsoft Closer to Redemption”
by Jack Dunning

It's been a long slough, but Windows 8 (through Windows 8.1 Update 1) has finally become a good—almost intuitive—operating system. Here is what's so good about the latest version.

This article concerns Windows 8.1 ("real" Windows) which actually runs Windows programs—not the version used on tablets (Windows 8.1 RT). Windows 8 RT is only available preinstalled on new devices—mostly tablets—and won't run Windows programs. Windows 8.1 Update 1 is about Microsoft getting back into the PC market.

Never has a version of Windows changed so much since its introduction. With the latest release of Windows 8.1 Update 1, Windows 8 has evolved from a confusing, schizophrenic, dual-personality operating system to useful, fast, powerful software not totally dissimilar from earlier versions of Windows. It continues with its dual interface (Modern tablet-like Start screen and "real" Windows Desktop), but now they are more closely integrated. It is more intuitive and easier to navigate. The changes made in this update are just significant enough for me to now say that there is little reason for people to avoid Windows 8. It has moved closer to Windows 7 and with the eventual introduction of Windows 9 the retrograde may be complete.

I don't think that it's a coincidence that this Windows 8.1 update came out at the same time that Windows XP support ended. It's certainly unusual to see an operating system evolve as quickly as Windows 8 has, but market forces demanded it. Although Microsoft certainly didn't bother fixing Windows Vista in the same manner.

I have always liked the speed of Windows 8. It boots up much faster than Windows 7 and generally responds quicker. I know this is true because I run both Windows 8 and Windows 7 on the same computer booting from separate hard drives. I don't need to use a stopwatch because the difference is immediately apparent. However, Windows 8 has languished because the elimination of the Start Menu and the addition of a totally separate Modern interface for running tablet software not compatible with the Desktop ("real" Windows) has made using it awkward, non-intuitive and confusing for the PC user. As well as I understand how Windows 8 works, there were many times when I paused thinking, "Now what do I do to get back where I was?" While running the latest Windows 8.1 update through its paces, most of my concerns disappeared.

Windows 8.1 Update 1 Taskbar

The most significant change in the Windows 8.1 update is in the Taskbar. This is the feature which will make the most difference to Windows 8 users and deserves the most attention. The Taskbar is now a universal tool crossing over between the two worlds: the tablet-like Modern interface and the "real" Windows Desktop. It was always available on the Desktop, but in the new update you can reach the Taskbar by moving the mouse cursor to the bottom of the screen (as if moving it off the screen) in any Modern app or screen. The Taskbar pops into view just after the tip of the cursor reaches the very bottom of the screen (see Figure 1). (This feature is only available when using a mouse and activated by default—although it can be deactivate as explain in the preview article, "Windows 8.1 Update 1 Is For PC Users.")

Figure 1. When the mouse cursor (circled in red) is moved to the bottom of the screen in the Modern interface, the Windows Taskbar pops up. Plus, apps running in the Modern interface now appear on the Taskbar (the Netflix tablet app is circled in yellow).

Some reviewers expressed annoyance with the fact that the Taskbar cannot be forced to remain permanently visible in the Modern screen. It only pops up when the cursor is moved to the bottom edge. While the Taskbar can be set to stay open temporarily (until another click on the main screen) by left-clicking on any empty area of the Taskbar when it is visible, leaving it open permanently would interfere with the scrollbar and pop up app options found at the bottom of Modern screen apps. It doesn't take long to grow accustomed to popping up the Taskbar with the mouse. (As with other versions of Windows the Taskbar can be dragged to any other edge of the screen. If this is done, then the Taskbar will display in Modern screens by moving the mouse cursor to that same edge, i.e. if the Taskbar is on left side, move the mouse until it touches the left edge to make it pop up.)

Tip: A quick way to open the Taskbar in any screen is the WIN+T (+T) hotkey combination. This combination opens the Taskbar with the selection at the first program on the Taskbar displaying thumbnails of any running processes. The cursor keys can then be used to navigate the Taskbar.

Just as important, any running Modern apps now appear on the Windows Taskbar. That means you can switch between loaded programs whether "real" Windows or tablet-like by clicking its icon on the Taskbar. If this were the only change in the update, it would be well worth implementing, but there's more.

Modern Start Screen Right-click Context Menu

When using the Modern Start screen (or Apps view screen) you can right-click on any tile to get a context menu (see Figure 2). Notice that you can now pin the app to the Taskbar. If you have a Modern app that you use regularly, then pinning it to the Taskbar makes it available from any screen whether Windows Desktop or Modern screen.

Figure 2. Right-click on any Modern Start app in Windows 8.1 Update 1 to get a context menu. From here the app can be pinned to the Windows Taskbar.

The addition of this right-click menu is great for PC users, but the "Pin to taskbar" feature for Modern apps is even more valuable. It's annoying to wade through all the apps on the Start screen (or Apps view) looking for the app you want to run.

Tip: Your ten most used (or important) Windows programs and/or Modern apps should be dragged to the first ten spots on the Windows Taskbar. This is where special Windows hotkeys are available for any programs in those locations. While any of the programs or apps pinned to, or running on, the Taskbar will immediately toggle (pop up or minimize) when clicked, the hotkeys for the first ten do so much more. Using WIN+1…0 (+1 through 0 respectively) will open or toggle (pop up or minimize) the program or app at that spot (counting from left to right) on the Taskbar. (Programs with multiple windows open do not toggle.) This gives quick access no matter where you are. The WIN+CTRL+1…0 (+CTRL+1 through 0 respectively) opens the last active window for the program in that numeric slot. This is great for returning to your last working window regardless of any wandering. Of course you do need to memorize the numbers associated with your programs and apps for each of the first ten locations on the Taskbar.

While this integration of the Desktop Taskbar with the Modern interface and its apps may not seem huge at first, the ease it adds to navigating Windows 8 is tremendous. It's much more intuitive for veteran Windows users. It's like a massive wormhole for traveling between the two worlds. I find that I'm now quickly jumping anywhere in the system without needing awkward hotkeys and searches.

Closing Modern Apps

Another complaint about Windows 8 was how difficult it was to figure out how to close the Modern tablet-like apps on a PC. In the latest Windows 8.1 update, three new methods for closing Modern apps have been added—all of which are much more natural for a veteran Windows PC user. One is the normally expected little "Close" X in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. The other two are automatically added with the new Taskbar capabilities.

Figure 3. (A) Tablet-like Modern apps can be closed with the new X close box (or Minimized with the adjacent icon) in the upper right-hand corner. Move the cursor to the top of the screen to reveal these options. (B) Right-click on a running app on the Windows Taskbar for the "Close window" option. (C) Hover over the Taskbar thumbnail to expose the Close X in its upper right-hand corner.

When any Modern app is opened there is now a top bar that pops up when the mouse cursor touches the top edge of the screen (in the same manner as the new Taskbar at the bottom). On the right-hand side of that top bar are the familiar Minimize and Close icons (see Figure 3A). Click the minimize icon and you're back to your last open window—whether on the Desktop or another Modern app. Click the X and the app closes. (Right-click on the app icon on the far left side of the same top bar and find those two options, plus more, in the context menu.)

Right-clicking on the icon of a running app on the Taskbar will offer the "Close window" option (see Figure 3B). This has always been available for "real" Windows programs, but now that the Modern apps appear on the Taskbar, they are easier to close. The same applies to the new thumbnail that now appears for the Modern apps on the Taskbar. Hover over the app's Taskbar icon, move over the thumbnail, and the Close X appears in the upper right-hand corner of the thumbnail (see Figure 3C).

The Charms Bar is Now Irrelevant for PC Users

In Windows 8.1 Update 1, Power options and a Search button have been added to the Modern Start screen as discussed in the earlier preview article. Between that and the options that pop up when the Start button on the left side of the Taskbar is right-clicked, it's relatively easy to figure out how to Shutdown or Restart the computer. There is no need to hunt for the Charms Bar.

Now, that the Windows Taskbar is available everywhere to the PC user, the Charms Bar has become irrelevant. It's needed on a tablet, but doesn't add much value to a PC. There is a way to eliminate the Charms Bar from popping up when you move the mouse to the upper right-hand corner, but to get rid of it completely a Registry hack is required. To remove the hotspots from the upper left and right-hand corners, right-click on the Taskbar => Properties => Navigations tab (see Figure 4). Uncheck the appropriate boxes and Apply.

Figure 4. To remove the hotspots for the Charms Bar and the Recent Apps in the upper-right and left corners, uncheck the two "When I point to the …" and "When I click the …" checkboxes respectively and Apply.

When moving your mouse cursor to the top corners, the two side pop-ups will no longer appear. However, the two lower corner hotspots continue to work. There is third party software which will completely remove any hint of the Charms Bar or you can find the Registry hack on the Web. I'm sure someone could write a short AutoHotkey script that would toggle the Charms Bar on and off in the Registry. However, if you're planning to use any Modern apps, the Charms Bar may help you with Settings for that app.

How to Get Windows 8.1 Update 1

Windows 8.1 Update 1 is being automatically rolled out to Windows 8.1 users over a period of weeks. However, you can get it quicker through Windows Update. It seems that there have been a few issues early on and you may want to wait a few weeks while Microsoft works out the bugs—although I didn't have any problem installing or running it. If you have questions about the process check out the Microsoft Install page Install the latest Windows 8.1 Update. You will need this update to continue to get 8.1 updates. Windows 8.1 without the update will no longer be supported in a few weeks.

If you are currently using Windows 8, then Windows 8.1 needs to be installed first. (Support for the original Windows 8 is continuing unabated.) You can get the upgrade by visiting the Microsoft Store with the Modern app on your Windows 8 computer. More information on upgrading from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 can be found at this Microsoft support page: Update to Windows 8.1 from Windows 8.

About half of all Windows 8 owners have not yet upgraded to Windows 8.1. I know that there have been some concerns expressed about Windows 8.1, but I'm not sure I truly understand them. I haven't seen any issues and Windows 8.1 with the latest update is so much better than the original Windows 8 that I would strongly encourage anyone to upgrade. The upgrade to Windows 8.1 and the following update are both free.

The new Windows 8.1 update does take a little time to install, so be patient. (The original Windows 8.1 upgrade took even longer to complete the installation.)

Recommendations for Windows 8.1 Organization

In November of last year, I reviewed the major changes in Windows 8.1 and wrote about how to set it up to boot directly to the Start screen plus other options. I stand by all those recommendations, except I would now change my approach to the Start screen. Now, I have the Start screen display rather than the Apps view when the Start button on the Taskbar is clicked (or the key is pressed). This setting is found in the same Properties window shown in Figure 4. (Right-click on the Taskbar and select Properties.)

If it is checked, uncheck the "Show the Apps view automatically when I go to Start" box. If you always jump to the Apps view, you'll get too much information. All of the apps—both Windows and Modern—appear in the view. Yes, you can use it to search for apps like the "All Program" feature in the old Start Menu from earlier versions of Windows, but if you want a tool that functions more like the old Start Menu, then tailor the Modern Start screen to your needs. You will still be able to quickly reach the Apps view by clicking the down arrow in the lower left-hand portion of the Start screen shown in Figure 5 (circled in yellow) or press CTRL+TAB.

Figure 5. The Apps view can be opened with the down arrow in the Start screen. Unpin tiles from the Start screen with the right-click menu.

One of the changes in Windows 8.1 is apps and programs are no longer automatically added to the Modern Start screen when they are installed. The problem was the programs and apps were throwing too many tiles onto the screen making it a much more confusing mess. Now it is up to you to control what's on your Start screen. (If you need to find a recently installed app, go to the Apps view and select Apps "by date installed" in the upper left portion of the screen.) This is a blessing because now you can consciously make the Start screen more valuable to you.

The first step is to "Unpin from Start" all the tiles that you don't frequent use—say once a month—using the right-click menu in the Start screen (see Figure 5 above) . The other programs you can find in the Apps view or do a search at those rare times when you need them. This will clean the chaff off the screen. Now, add those programs and apps which are missing from, but you need on, the Start screen using the Apps view right-click menu (see Figure 6).

Figure 6. Pin the programs and apps you need for easy access to the Start screen with the Apps view right-click menu.

You are building a Start screen that serves the same purpose as the old Start Menu. You pin the most important programs and apps to Start and leave the rest in the "All Programs" listing called "Apps view" in Windows 8.1.

The absolutely most important programs and apps I would add to the first ten locations on the Taskbar—as mentioned in the second tip in this article. That will give you direct access to them in all screens at all times—plus, the advantage of the special hotkeys. Then the Start menu tiles should be used for programs and app you want at your fingertips, yet they are not quite as critical as those on the Taskbar. Taskbar space is much more limited. All others will easily be found in the sortable (name, date installed, most used, and category) and searchable Apps view (CTRL+TAB when in the Modern Start screen to open the Apps view).

I have my Windows 8.1 booting directly to the Desktop as discussed in the article from last year. But if someone is actually going to make good use of the Start screen, then placing the Desktop tile in the upper left-hand spot of the Start screen (as shown in Figure 2 above) will cause it to always bring up the Desktop by merely hitting the ENTER key.

Turning the Corner

I've been watching Windows 8 closely since the original Consumer Preview. I've never hated it, but I had to acknowledge its problems. It's been a long slough for Microsoft to get it to this latest release, but it's finally something useful and fairly intuitive for old Windows users. There is still a little learning curve, but I think it will go faster now.

There are still plenty of detractors, but I've found that the problem is usually how they see the change and not the change itself. For example, when it was noted that newly installed programs and apps no longer automatically appeared on the Start screen in Windows 8.1, it was seen as a negative by many. (Actually it's a blessing that will make the Start screen much more useful.) The fact that a new Apps view replaced that aspect of the Start screen in a much more organized fashion was discounted. And, the slight inconvenience of a Windows Taskbar remaining hidden until called in the Modern apps was a major issue for many. For me it's a minor issue—if a problems at all.

I had my reservations about Windows 8 all along, but now with Windows 8.1 Update 1, I'm going to stick my neck out and say, "I like it!" I think Windows 8 has turned the corner. Whether it can recover from the market damage it suffered in the last two years is unknown. It will certainly not do as well as it would have if this current version had been the original release of Windows 8. The speculation is that Windows 9 will bring back the old Start Menu and allow the running of Modern apps in Desktop windows. If that happens, then there will be many more Windows XP users upgrading. If it happens as an add-on alternative, I would applaud the steps. But by that time there could be many Windows 8 users who would be upset if the Modern Start screen were taken away.

Jack is the publisher of ComputorEdge Magazine. He's been with the magazine since first issue on May 16, 1983. Back then, it was called The Byte Buyer. His Web site is www.computoredge.com. He can be reached at ceeditor@computoredge.com. Jack is now in the process of updating and compiling his hundreds of articles and columns into e-books. Currently available:

Hidden Windows Tools for Protecting, Problem Solving and Troubleshooting Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP Computers.

Jack's A Beginner's Guide to AutoHotkey, Absolutely the Best Free Windows Utility Software Ever!: Create Power Tools for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 and Digging Deeper Into AutoHotkey.

Our second compilation of stupid ComputorEdge cartoons from 2011 and 2012 is now available at Amazon! That Does Not Compute, Too! ComputorEdge Cartoons, Volume II: "Do You Like Windows 8 or Would You Prefer an Apple?"

Special Free Offer at ComputorEdge E-Books! Jack's Favorite Free Windows Programs: What They Are, What They Do, and How to Get Started!.

Misunderstanding Windows 8: An Introduction, Orientation, and How-to for Windows 8 (Seventh Edition)!

Windows 7 Secrets Four-in-One E-Book Bundle,

Getting Started with Windows 7: An Introduction, Orientation, and How-to for Using Windows 7,

Sticking with Windows XP—or Not? Why You Should or Why You Should Not Upgrade to Windows 7,

and That Does Not Compute!, brilliantly drawn cartoons by Jim Whiting for really stupid gags by Jack about computers and the people who use them.

Windows 8 and AutoHotkey

“AutoHotkey Is Still a Powerful Tool in Windows 8”
by Jack Dunning

Although unavailable for Windows 8 RT, AutoHotkey continues as a excellent tool for the Windows 8 Desktop and some aspects of Modern UI apps.

AutoHotkey is growing in popularity on Windows computers as users learn how much time-saving utility they can add to their systems. But with AutoHotkey's growth comes the concern about compatibility with future versions of Windows. One of the important questions for AutoHotkey users is, "How well does it work with Windows 8—especially the Modern User Interface (UI)?" It's not much good to us if all the scripts we love so much won't run. I've been using AutoHotkey with Windows 8 (now Windows 8.1 Update 1) for quite a while so it's time for me to pass along my observations.

Using AutoHotkey on the Windows 8 Desktop

I'm happy to report that when using the Windows Desktop ("real" Windows) AutoHotkey works the way it's supposed to work. I have heard of some people having problems running their scripts, but it is almost always related to user rights. It is usually resolved by adding the appropriate privileges, running as administrator, or lowering overall security settings. I have not seen a problem myself and I have scripts that load on login. The main difference I've seen has been in the Modern UI and apps where AutoHotkey functionality is much more limited.

The implications of this are enormous for AutoHotkey users or people thinking about getting involved with AutoHotkey. It you're currently using Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, you can be secure in the knowledge that the AutoHotkey scripts you write will continue to work in Windows 8. Plus, you can give any scripts you compile on your Windows system for running on any other Windows computer to your Windows 8 friends.

Using AutoHotkey in the Windows 8 Modern User Interface (UI)

Since the Modern UI is a different animal, it's not surprising that not all AutoHotkey apps work when running Modern apps. What's surprising is that there is a big chunk of AutoHotkey that does work.

I've found that virtually all text replacement scripts function effectively in a Modern screen text field, as shown in Figure 1. It doesn't matter whether the script uses hotstring replacement or a hotkey with the Send command. Even scripts which access the Windows Clipboard to manipulate and format text return the proper results. That's a relief because most people doing anything with AutoHotkey start with text replacement. It's integral to many AutoHotkey scripts.

Figure 1. The text in the Search field was converted to initial caps in this Modern app with an AutoHotkey script.

That means if you implement the AutoHotkey AutoCorrect script for commonly misspelled words, it will do its job even if you're typing in a Modern app screen. When it comes to text editing in Windows 8, AutoHotkey scripts running in the background continue to review all keyboard input regardless of what type of program ("real" windows or tablet-like app) you're running.

I also noted that if you can highlight text in a Modern app, then it can be captured in the Clipboard with an AutoHotkey script for movement into a Desktop editing window. For example, I have a script which copies highlighted text to a current open editing field on the Windows Desktop. It worked fine, but I had to return to the Desktop between each use since I had used the WinActivate and WinWaitActive commands in the routine. The second I opened the Desktop, the text was pasted into the field. I'm guessing that using Sleep for a pause and removing the other two commands would allow me to continue pasting without returning to the Desktop. The point is that AutoHotkey script will run when you're using an open Modern app—even if you can't see the result.

The AutoHotkey GUIs and Menus will not display in the Modern UI. However, a script which activates one of these Desktop objects will run and add the objects to the Desktop, even if you're working with a Modern app. You just won't see it until you return to the Desktop. That's not really unexpected since there is no real windowing capability in the Modern UI.

While the commands that move you between the Modern UI and the Desktop work from the keyboard, the hotkeys when sent with an AutoHotkey script do not appear to work while in the Modern UI. There may be a way to do it with AutoHotkey, but I don't know how yet—or if it's even possible. That's probably because AutoHotkey does everything through the Windows Desktop interface. The Modern UI just doesn't directly respond to any AutoHotkey commands. When using a Modern app, AutoHotkey scripts work in the background from the Desktop interface. Hotkey commands are passed to the Desktop, but ignored by the Modern UI. However, the Windows 8 hotkey combinations can be blocked both on the Desktop and in Modern UI apps with AutoHotkey scripts by resigning the hotkeys—although I don't know if this is true for all Windows key combinations.

With the addition of the Windows Taskbar to the Windows 8.1 Update 1 Modern UI, the AutoHotkey icons will now appear in the Notification Tray on any screen. Clicking one of them (left-click or right-click) immediately jumps from the current screen back to the Desktop. Using the WIN+D (+D) hotkey combination from the keyboard will jump to the Desktop screen, but I was unable to put it in an AutoHotkey script for activation from a Modern app. It only worked in the Desktop.

There are some Windows 8 hotkey combinations which do work in AutoHotkey scripts in both the Desktop and Modern UI. For example, WIN+Q (+Q) for opening the everywhere search and WIN+W (+Q) for setting search would open in all screens when I put them in alternative hotkeys. They also work when added to the Menu structure in my QuickLinks app. Of course, since QuickLinks is a pop-up menu, it only appears on the Desktop.

However, WIN+T (+T) which pops up the Taskbar from any Windows 8.1 Update 1 screen, worked in an AutoHotkey script only from the Desktop. It appears that some Windows 8 hotkey combinations are more universal than others.

AutoHotkey is Mostly for "Real Windows" in Windows 8

If you intend to spend most of your time working in the Windows 8 Desktop, then you will find little difference when running AutoHotkey scripts from earlier versions of Windows. The problems come when you decide to use the Modern UI apps and want to integrate AutoHotkey scripts. While the hotstring and hotkey replacements work in this new interface, the power of GUIs and Menus are unavailable. From my perspective, that's okay. Most of the Modern apps are tablet-like programs designed for a single purpose. There's not much motivation to get too cute with them. However, it would be nice to be able to launch some of the more interesting Modern apps without engaging the Modern Start screen or the Apps view. Fortunately there are ways to do this.

Next week, I'll dig into techniques for uncovering features in Windows 8.1 which can be used in AutoHotkey scripts to open key windows and launch Modern apps.

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Find ComputorEdge AutoHotkey scripts at our AutoHotkey Scripts page!

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The new second edition with more chapters and an index to the AutoHotkey commands found in the book is available in e-book format from Amazon (and other formats—EPUB and PDF— at the ComputorEdgeBooks Web site linked below). Jack's A Beginner's Guide to AutoHotkey, Absolutely the Best Free Windows Utility Software Ever!: Create Power Tools for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 offers a gentle approach to learning AutoHotkey.

Building Power Tools for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8, AutoHotkey is the most powerful, flexible, free Windows utility software available. Anyone can instantly add more of the functions that they want in all of their Windows programs, whether installed on their computer or while working on the Web. AutoHotkey has a universality not found in any other Windows utility—free or paid.

Based upon the series of articles in ComputorEdge, Jack takes you through his learning experience as he explores writing simple AutoHotkey scripts for adding repetitive text in any program or on the Web, running programs with special hotkeys or gadgets, manipulating the size and screen location of windows, making any window always-on-top, copying and moving files, and much more. Each chapter builds on the previous chapters.

For an EPUB (iPad, NOOK, etc.) version of A Beginner's Guide to AutoHotkey click here!

For a PDF version for printing on letter size paper for inclusion in a standard notebook of A Beginner's Guide to AutoHotkey click here!

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Jack's latest AutoHotkey book which is comprised of updated, reorganized and indexed columns from ComputorEdge is now available at Amazon for Kindle hardware (or free software) users. Since the columns were not all written in a linear fashion, the book has been reorganized and broken up into parts by topic. The book is not for the complete beginner since it builds on the information in A Beginner's Guide to AutoHotkey. However, if a person is reasonably computer literate, they could go directly to this book for ideas and techniques without the first book.

For an EPUB (iPad, NOOK, etc.) version of Digging Deeper into AutoHotkey click here!

For a PDF version for printing on letter size paper for inclusion in a standard notebook of Digging Deeper into AutoHotkey click here!

Jack is the publisher of ComputorEdge Magazine. He's been with the magazine since first issue on May 16, 1983. Back then, it was called The Byte Buyer. His Web site is www.computoredge.com. He can be reached at ceeditor@computoredge.com. Jack is now in the process of updating and compiling his hundreds of articles and columns into e-books. Currently available:

Hidden Windows Tools for Protecting, Problem Solving and Troubleshooting Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP Computers.

Jack's A Beginner's Guide to AutoHotkey, Absolutely the Best Free Windows Utility Software Ever!: Create Power Tools for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 and Digging Deeper Into AutoHotkey.

Our second compilation of stupid ComputorEdge cartoons from 2011 and 2012 is now available at Amazon! That Does Not Compute, Too! ComputorEdge Cartoons, Volume II: "Do You Like Windows 8 or Would You Prefer an Apple?"

Special Free Offer at ComputorEdge E-Books! Jack's Favorite Free Windows Programs: What They Are, What They Do, and How to Get Started!.

Misunderstanding Windows 8: An Introduction, Orientation, and How-to for Windows 8 (Seventh Edition)!

Windows 7 Secrets Four-in-One E-Book Bundle,

Getting Started with Windows 7: An Introduction, Orientation, and How-to for Using Windows 7,

Sticking with Windows XP—or Not? Why You Should or Why You Should Not Upgrade to Windows 7,

and That Does Not Compute!, brilliantly drawn cartoons by Jim Whiting for really stupid gags by Jack about computers and the people who use them.

Wally Wang's Apple Farm

“Losing Focus”
by Wally Wang

Losing Focus; Apple TV's Future; Printing Food for the Elderly; The Windows 8 Dilemma; Would You Kill the Fat Man?; Save Passwords.

During the recent patent battle between Samsung and Apple, Samsung revealed some interesting internal documents. First, they released an internal memo focused on beating Apple as their #1 priority. This is a huge mistake for any company because when you focus on beating a rival, you wind up doing nothing but trying to copy that rival rather than developing your own strengths.

If you were trying to beat McDonald's in the fast food industry, you might think you should copy their menu and mimic their store appearance right down to the uniform colors your employees should wear. Look at any Apple Store and then look at any Microsoft Store to see the pointlessness of blatant mimicking.

Rather than focus on a rival, it's far better to focus on your customers. If you please your customers, they won't have a reason to ever consider going to any of your rivals. If you focus only on trying to beat a rival, you risk losing sight of what your customers want. Would you rather trust a taxi cab driver who focuses on keeping his eyes on the road or who focuses on trying to stay ahead of the car in the next lane?

By focusing on beating Apple, Samsung not surprisingly resorts to deception. While Samsung trumpeted their sales of Android tablets, they misled various publications into believing Samsung sold more Android tablets than they really did. Why lie when the truth will eventually reveal your deception? If a company feels the need to lie, shouldn't that be a huge warning that they should focus on making products that people actually want to buy rather than making up sales figures that aren't even close to the truth?

When you have to rely on lies to make yourself look superior to a rival, you already know you're failing. Just look at all those anti-Apple critics who rely on blatant lies to discredit Apple products. If they know they're lying, then they also know they don't have any rational basis for claiming that Apple products are inferior. To support their reliance on blatant lies, they either avoid facts that contradict their irrational beliefs, or they get mad at any one who reveals facts that they can't dispute. In either case, they have to lie to themselves and get angry when others won't accept lies that they already know are false.

The best way to beat any leader is to wait for that leader to get complacent and lose their focus on serving their customers. Microsoft is a perfect example. At one time, they did make the best software on the market in terms of features, cost, and ease of use. Then they started focusing on copying the leaders in every market instead of focusing on providing a unique service to customers in every market. When they no longer had a leader to mimic, they simply stopped caring about both their customers and their products. Just look at how long Microsoft let Internet Explorer languish as a mediocre browser until Firefox threatened their market share and forced Microsoft to start improving Internet Explorer.

Microsoft wanted to copy Adobe Flash so they developed Silverlight just in time to see the browser plug-in market evaporate. Microsoft wanted to copy Palm Pilots so they developed Windows CE just in time to see the personal digital assistant (PDA) market evolve into mobile phones. Microsoft morphed Windows CE into Windows Mobile just in time to see the iPhone take over the smartphone market. Microsoft wanted to copy iOS so they created Windows Phone. Microsoft wanted to copy the iPad so they created Windows RT and their Surface tablets. Microsoft wanted to copy Google so they dumped billions in propping up Bing. Microsoft wanted to copy Sony's Playstation so they dumped billions in propping up the Xbox.

Rather than focus on their customers, Microsoft focuses on beating their rivals, which often means ignoring what their customers really want. How many Windows 7 users really wanted the tile interface of Windows 8?

Samsung, like Microsoft, should focus on making their current customers happy first. The happier they make their existing customers, the less likely they'll need to worry about what their rivals are doing. If you're always watching to see what a rival is doing, chances are good you'll get blind-sided by a rival you weren't watching. Just ask Blackberry, Borders Books, and Blockbuster Video how well their business strategy turned out by focusing on the wrong rivals (Nokia, Barnes & Noble, and Hollywood Video).

Apple TV's Future

Apple TV currently uses a 32-bit, single-core A5 processor. In comparison, the latest iPhone and iPad use a 64-bit A7 processor, so it's no stretch of the imagination to believe that the next update to Apple TV will include a 64-bit processor.

What Patently Apple recently found was that Apple patented a larger heat sink for Apple TV. With Amazon using a massive heat sink in their Amazon Fire TV device to support gaming, Apple's larger heat sink with a more powerful processor likely means Apple TV could also support gaming. That way Apple TV would start encroaching on the game console market currently dominated by Microsoft's Xbox and Sony's Playstation.

Mobile games on the iPhone and iPad have already decimated the portable game console market once dominated by Nintendo. If Apple TV can run games, that could challenge the dedicated game console market. The key will be seeing whether companies will make dedicated games for Apple TV or if Apple TV will just play ordinary iOS games. If it can only play iOS games, then the big question is whether casual iOS games for the iPhone and iPad can dent the dedicated game console market.

After all, most iOS games are perfect for killing time while waiting for a bus or plane, but dedicated game consoles are far better for immersive, multi-player activities that require a big screen. Whatever the case, Apple TV hasn't been updated in over a year so you might as well wait to see what the next Apple TV model offers before buying the current, outdated Apple TV model.

Printing Food for the Elderly

If the idea of using a 3D printer to create meals sounds like science fiction, a German company called Biozoon hopes to make 3D printed food a reality. While many people might feel squeamish about eating food created by a 3D printer, Biozoon is targeting the elderly market to create food that looks and feels like real food, but dissolves in the mouth almost instantly. By doing this, the 3D printed food can't risk choking elderly patients who might have trouble swallowing normal food.

3D printed food for the elderly represents a unique application of 3D printing technology. Perhaps as people find more niche uses for 3D printing, more people will come to accept 3D printing as part of everyday life. The idea of eating 3D printed food may still sound unappealing to the public, but for unique uses such as space travel or feeding the elderly, 3D printed foods can be the best option available.

The Windows 8 Dilemma

While the popularity of iOS and Android attracts many developers and OS X continues attracting a fair number of developers who need to create Macintosh versions of their Windows programs, Windows 8 developers are apparently still relatively rare. The Windows 8 app store is still growing but far behind both iOS and Android. Wes Miller, an analyst at Directions on Microsoft, says that developing for Windows 8 represents too much effort for very little possible return.

"It's amazing that developers build (Windows Store) apps given there's only a small customer base," Miller says. "If you are thinking about building an app, especially if you are a start-up, then iOS and Android is where the volume is—and then the labor you have put in to building the app is not transferable to building a Windows Store app."

Rather than target Windows 8, many developers rely on cross-platform tools that let them create apps for iOS, Android, and Windows 8. Cross-platform tools make sense since they allow you to write the bulk of your app to run on multiple operating systems with minor changes.

To encourage more developers, Microsoft has resorted to paying developers. While the small size of the Windows 8 app store makes each app more likely to be seen, the smaller market for Windows 8 apps means fewer potential customers. If developers don't see any profit from their app, they'll likely abandon it.

Developers focus on iOS because that's the most lucrative market. They also focus on Android because that's the most numerous market. Windows 8 is neither lucrative nor numerous, so there's little reason to develop for Windows 8 despite Microsoft's incentives.

When Microsoft can show developers that Windows 8 represents a profitable opportunity, the developers will flock to Windows 8. Until then, Windows 8 gives developers few reasons to spend their time creating Windows 8 apps when iOS and Android are far more lucrative markets to target first.

Would You Kill the Fat Man?

Here's an interesting philosophical riddle posed by the book Would You Kill the Fat Man? This book presents a thought experiment dubbed the Trolley Problem. In one version, there are five people tied to trolley tracks with a trolley about to run them over and kill all five of them.

Standing on a bridge overlooking the trolley tracks is a fat man. If you push the fat man off the bridge and on to the trolley tracks, the trolley will hit and kill the fat man, but stop and spare the lives of the five people tied to the tracks. If you fail to push the fat man off the bridge, the trolley will kill five people through your inaction. What should you do?

The basic dilemma of the Trolley Problem is that whatever choice you make, someone will get hurt. Which choice you make determines your values. Since somebody will die no matter what you do (or fail to do), there is no right or wrong answer.

Apply this to the world of computers and you can see the choice between iOS and Android or Windows and the Macintosh is equally murky. Despite the vocal opposition of some people who insist that there's absolutely nothing worthwhile about any Apple products, the truth is that some people will be better off with Apple products while some won't, depending on their needs. Acknowledging this fact is simply being honest. Refusing to acknowledge this fact is simply being delusional.

"Would You Kill the Fat Man?" poses variations of the Trolley Problem. In another version, five people are tied to the trolley tracks but if you pull a switch, you can direct the trolley down another track where a fat man is tied down. Would you let the trolley continue on its current path and kill five people, or would you pull the switch knowing that you're going to kill a single fat man?

In other words, through inaction, you can watch five people die. Through action (and responsibility), you allow one person to die to save the lives of five people. Now ask yourself what you would do if the single fat man was a loved one while the five other people tied to the trolley tracks were strangers. Which option would you choose now?

With no right answer, the Trolley Problem highlights the ambiguity of life. While schools emphasize teaching kids to find the right answer, they really should be focused on teaching kids how to ask the right questions. Asking questions helps you look at any situation from multiple points of view. Looking for a single "right" answer and clinging to it simply stops all thinking dead in its tracks.

For many people, thinking is something to avoid. When people realize that life doesn't always present easy answers, that dispels their delusions of an orderly universe, which is their greatest fear of all. If life isn't easy to understand, then the problem is simply that other people must be wrong. If they would only think like you do, then the world would be a better place.

The next time you hear someone giving simple answers to complex problems, you'll know that that person isn't interested in thinking. If they encourage others to stop thinking and just accept the answers they're ready to hand out, then you'll really know what type of person they are.

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If you're tired of memorizing and typing different passwords for various Web sites, you can let Safari remember passwords for you. Just remember that if anyone gets access to your Macintosh, they could tap into various Web sites using the passwords stored on your computer.

Figure 1. When you type a password into a Web site, Safari will ask if you want to save that password.

To see which passwords for which Web sites your copy of Safari may be saving, click the Safari menu and choose Preferences. When a Preferences window appears, click the Passwords icon to see a list of Web sites that you've accessed using a password.

In the early days, before Wally became an Internationally renowned comedian, computer book writer, and generally cool guy, Wally Wang used to hang around The Byte Buyer dangling participles with Jack Dunning and go to the gym to pump iron with Dan Gookin.

Wally is responsible for the following books:

Microsoft Office 2013 For Dummies

Beginning Programming for Dummies

Beginning Programming All-in-One Reference for Dummies

Breaking Into Acting for Dummies with Larry Garrison

Strategic Entrepreneurism with Jon and Gerald Fisher

How to Live with a Cat (When You Really Don't Want To)

The Secrets of the Wall Street Stock Traders

Mac Programming For Absolute Beginners

Republican Fairy Tales (Children's Stories the 1% Tell About the Rest of Us)

The Zen of Effortless Selling with Moe Abdou

The 15-Minute Movie Method

Erotophobia (A novel)

Math for the Zombie Apocalypse

How to Write a Great Script with Final Draft 9

How to Write a Great Script with Fade In

In his spare time, Wally likes blogging about movies and writing screenplays at his site "The 15 Minute Movie Method," finding interesting news stories about cats at his site "Cat Daily News," giving advice to authors who want to self-publish e-books at his site "The Electronic Author," and providing the type of advice he wishes someone would have told him when he was much younger at his personal Web site. Wally can be reached at wally@computoredge.com or you can follow him on Twitter @wallacewang_com.

Editor's Letters: Tips and Thoughts from Readers

“Computer and Internet tips, plus comments on the articles and columns.”
by ComputorEdge Staff

"CCleaner, NOT PC Cleaner," "Word 2003 Crashes Pasting Web Content," "Selling Pretty Things"

CCleaner, NOT PC Cleaner

[Regarding the March 28 Digital Dave column:]

Your recommendation of CCleaner is a good one, but you should mention NOT to be confused with PC Cleaner which I found to be malware and extremely difficult to get rid of.

-Steven Rosen, Encinitas, CA

Word 2003 Crashes Pasting Web Content

[Regarding the March 28 Digital Dave column:]

Interesting, I'm running Windows 8.0 and Word 2003 since it ran and generally works flawlessly, even though "not supported" on Windows 8, and recently (last few months?) I have the same paste Web content and Word immediately crashes issue.

Your answer to use the pulldown for Edit/Past Special is excellent if I just need the text (usually).

If I want to actually have the Web content, I open LibreOffice's Writer, paste, save as a .doc, and reopen in Word and it's fine. Strange.

-Rich Ernst, San Diego, CA

Hi DD,

Perhaps the problem is simply Office 2003 suite does not support the embedded hypertext font and gets in trouble in trying to process the paste.

-Don, San Diego, CA

PureText sits in the tray. Copy anything from anywhere, single-click the PureText Icon and all formatting is removed, paste as plain text into any target.

-Jay Parzych, Granby, CT

Selling Pretty Things

[Regarding the April 4 Wally Wang's Apple Farm column:]

I certainly agree that making something pretty will aid in its sale.

Unfortunately, most computer users, Apple or PC or whatever, are uninformed about what to buy for their needs and tend to go with whatever a salesperson suggests, or what they like, meaning what's pretty.

This has led to booming all-in-one systems in the PC world, copying the iMacs.

I recommend against them for several reasons (little options for Mac, the mini, or the Pro desktop versions) that are similar to my recommendations against a notebook computer unless the person needs a notebook (taking data and programs with them, business, personal, etc.).

1. You'll generally pay more for such a system, and/or get less "computer" (RAM, CPU speed, monitor size, etc.). This is especially true if the person already has an upgraded or preferred keyboard, mouse and monitor.

2. It's more likely something will break, as generally, all-in-ones are often miniaturized versions of desktop systems as well as putting everything on one electronics board, vs. discreet components.

3. When/if it breaks, it will cost more to get fixed than a desktop, because of this miniaturization, most items are proprietary and non-replaceable.

For many folks moving from a desktop of some sort, they already have a nice monitor and keyboard and mouse, and a place for the CPU/tower/desktop system, so moving to an all-in-one won't really save much space. With LCD monitors so flat, if space is any issue, it can easily be put behind the monitor.

This is not to say someone shouldn't buy an all-in-one, or a notebook, if that's what they want, just that they should be aware of the above before purchase.

-Rich Ernst, San Diego, CA

Pretty Doesn't Mean All-in-One: I completely agree that all-in-ones are like laptops in that you pay more for the convenience of having everything in a smaller package. Just don't equate "pretty" as exclusively the same as an all-in-one since you can have a pretty monitor, a pretty keyboard, a pretty computer case, and a pretty mouse that looks and works better than an ugly and cheap monitor, an ugly and cheap keyboard, an ugly and cheap computer case, and an ugly and cheap mouse.

You may get more computer technology at a less price going with something ugly and cheap, but does it really matter if you have an ugly and cheap computer that's slightly faster than a more expensive and pretty computer if the ugly and cheap computer makes you unhappy using it so you wind up using it less as a result?

-Wally Wang

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