While Windows 8 may stink in many areas, this feature is cool

Misguided though the Metro interface may be, there are some nice under-the-hood improvements to be found in the OS. For example, there's the File History feature that will allow you to get back a previous version of a file.

And the other day I did a little  bit of file copying. Lo and behold, Windows 8 offers a vastly superior file-copying experience, though you might miss the benefits if you're not paying attention.

Let's say you're moving a bunch of stuff to an external hard drive. As usual, the process goes: drag, drop, and wait. The initial good news is that you'll be waiting less: Windows 8 is generally faster at copying files.

But take a closer look at the file-copy dialog box that appears. For starters, if you click the More details arrow, you're treated to a real-time progress meter that graphs the current and total speed of the copy process. Neat!

You may also notice there's now a pause button. It's true: Windows 8 lets you pause file copies. It's not something you'll probably need to do very often, but it's nice to have the option.

Best Antivirus Programs of 2013

Well, personally, the best thing you can do it change your behavior online if you have repeated virus problems.  This along with keeping all of your programs should allow for a relatively clean computer (don't forget to keep anyone under 25 off of your computer as well), but you insist on plopping hard earned money on a antivirus, read on from PCMAG.

Appears another Internet power grab is dead in congress

Key lawmakers are suggesting that the controversial Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) will soon die in the U.S. Senate -- just like last year.

CISPA backers say it's designed to make it easier for organizations to share cyberthreat information with each other and with government agencies such as the Department of Homeland security, without fear of antitrust or liability issues.

The U.S. House of Representatives last week approved CISPA amid a flurry of strident opposition from rights groups and privacy advocates who fear it would allow government agencies to monitor the activities of ordinary Internet users under the pretext of cybersecurity.

Similar concerns derailed a CISPA bill in the Senate last year.

Meanwhile, the Senate Intelligence Committee is drafting its own version of an information-sharing bill, said an aide to the committee. The committee has no plans to consider the House-passed CISPA bill, the aide added.

"We are currently drafting a bipartisan information sharing bill and will proceed as soon as we come to an agreement," said Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee said in a statement to Computerworld.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D, W-V) chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, told the Huffington Post that his committee also has no plans to debate the House bill. Instead, he said, the committee will also propose alternative legislation.

For more from Computerworld, read on here.

15 Essential Windows 8 Shortcuts

This is for the dozens of you out there actually using Windows 8 that is!

When you’re using Windows 8 on a tablet, it’s easy enough to navigate the new OS. But if you don’t have a touch screen, there’s no need to mouse around to make key functions appear. If you know the correct keyboard shortcuts, you can work faster and more efficiently, no matter the type of Windows 8 PC.

1. Windows Key + C: Displays Charms menu. 

2. Windows Key + X: Brings up a menu of advanced system options, including Windows Control Panel, Command Prompt, Task Manager and File Explorer.

3. Windows Key + I: Displays the Settings menu for the current app. For example, if you’re in Internet Explorer 10, this key shows Internet options. If you’re on the Start menu, it shows general OS settings.

4. Windows Key + Q: Brings up the apps search menu that allows you to search your list of installed programs.

5. Windows Key + D: Activates desktop mode.

6. Windows Key + Tab: Brings up the Task Switcher and toggles between Windows 8-style apps.

7. Windows Key + H: Brings up Share menu for the current app. For example, hitting Windows Key + H in Bing Maps, lets you email or share map information on social networks.

8. Windows Key + M: Opens desktop mode and minimizes all windows.

9. Windows Key + W: Opens universal search menu and sets it to search settings.

10. Windows Key + F: Opens universal search menu and sets it to search files.

11. Windows Key + R: Opens Run menu where you can launch programs by typing in their executable file names.

12. Windows Key + E: Opens File Explorer to the “My Computer” view which shows all your drives.

13. Windows Key +Number Key (1-9): Switch to desktop mode and make the Nth application on the task bar active where N is the number key you hit and 1 is the furthest taskbar icon to the left.

14. Windows Key + . (period key): Docks the current Windows 8-style application to the right or left, depending on how many times you hit it.

15. Windows Key + Z: Brings up app menu, which shows contextual options for the active app.

Could there be a revolution in battery technology?

Imagine charging your cell phone in 1 second. There's a tiny new battery that can do that.

Scientists at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have created an incredibly small, incredibly powerful battery that could vastly improve technology moving forward. The new micro-battery charges 1,000 times faster than regular batteries.

The batteries are also small. How small? They could fit in and power a credit-card-thin device. Leading scientist William P. King told the University of Illinois News Bureau: "The thinking parts of computers have gotten small. And the battery has lagged far behind. This is a microtechnology that could change all of that. Now the power source is as high-performance as the rest of it.”

The batteries are not only small enough to be used in tiny phones and gadgets, but are also powerful enough to be used in emergency equipment. Indeed, they are powerful enough to jumpstart a car battery.

The scientists are now working to create a way to create the batteries inexpensively so the batteries can be sold.

Imagine if this technology could come to the open market!

How Google Glass works...

Google’s Glass project is one of the more intriguing products the company is currently working on — at least, among the few projects Google has revealed to the public. Google Glass is eyewear with a heads up display that connects to the wearer’s smartphone and displays information in the user’s line of sight. We all get the basic idea and we’ve seen some great demo videos, but how exactly does Google’s Glass accessory work? Graphic designer Martin Missfeldt recently put together a terrific infographic that explains the exciting accessory, and the full graphic follows below.