Posted on: Tuesday, April 12, 2005

HELP DESK
Some links boost Web presence

By Kim Komando

Question: Is it true that the more links that you have to your Web site, the higher the site will appear on Google's search results?

Answer: For the most part, the answer is yes. Google considers links to your Web site, known as inbound links, as votes for your site. Therefore, the more that sites link to yours, the higher your page will rank. Google sets some limits, though. Sites linking to yours must have quality addresses. Links from disreputable sites can hurt your rankings. You can easily pull up a list of sites that link to yours. In Google's search box, enter Link:yourwebsitename and click Search the Web.

Q. I'd like to install a secret keylogging program to track who is using a computer and how. How easily can someone using the computer detect that this hidden software is running?

A. Keyloggers leave no obvious traces that they are installed. However, they are pretty easy to detect. Some anti-spyware programs will discover keyloggers, and some programs, such as SpyCop and SpyDetect, are designed specifically to identify keylogging software.

Q. I'm being deployed to Iraq and want to create a journal while I'm away. I have Microsoft Word on my laptop. Will this work?

A. You can use Word to create your entries and insert pictures. Then, you can format the text and page. You also could use software specifically designed for keeping a journal, such as the free Advanced Diary (www.csoftlab.com). Two other programs are Active Diary (www.windine.com; $25) and Alpha Journal Pro (www.alpharealms.com; $30).

Q. I want to buy a DVD burner for my PC. I am confused by all the Rs, RWs, pluses and minuses in the ads. What do they mean and which should I buy?

A. DVD recorders are available in many configurations. Older drives can record to -R or +R format discs only. These discs can only be written once. You can't erase them or write new information to them after they are finalized. However, -R and +R discs are more compatible with standalone DVD players and less expensive than rewritable discs known as -RW and +RW, which can be erased and written many times. Recent DVD burners — called multiformat drives — let you record in DVD-R, +R, -RW and +RW. Internal models cost about $100. External versions cost about twice as much. Even newer drives are known as double-layer.

Q. How can I secure the different types of wireless connections on an HP iPAQ h6315 Windows Mobile smart phone that I recently bought for my wife?

A. The iPAQ h6315 is equipped with infrared, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, all wireless networking protocols. First, disable the automatic acceptance of incoming infrared beams. Click Start and Settings. On the Connections tab, click Beam. Uncheck "Accept all incoming beams." Likewise, set Bluetooth not to accept incoming transmissions automatically. Click Start and Settings. Open the System tab and click Bluetooth. Under File transfer, choose "Authorization required." Both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi should be turned off when you aren't using them.