Computer and internet briefs

Nov 6, 2011, 2:06 GMT

'Like' button can reveal surfing behaviour

Berlin (dpa) - Facebook can use the 'Like' button to collect information about the surfing behaviour of its users. That is also the case if the button is connected to other pages.

If you want to prevent that then you should log out from the social network while surfing, according to Holger Junker from the German Federal Office for Information Security. The data can only be attached as long as the user is logged in to Facebook while surfing. Other helpful means are browser plug-ins such as Facebook Blocker for Firefox and Safari and Facebook Disconnect for Google Chrome.

Facebook is not the only one using this technique. 'Many website operators use tools from other providers to collect information about their visitors,' said Junker. But usually it would only be an IP address that does not disclose too much information about the user. Those who surf while logged onto Facebook provide the operators of the social network with their surfing behaviour as well as personal information.

Data protectionists have recently strongly criticized social networks such as Facebook with the 'Like' button being the focal point. Richard Allan, European manager of the social network, told a hearing in the German parliament that the company does not create a personal profile from user data. 'It is unclear how Facebook uses the collected data,' said Junker. It could be used, for example, to create personalized advertising.

Windows 7 on old PC? First run a system check

Berlin (dpa) - Windows 7 uses much fewer resources than its predecessors XP and Vista. That makes the current Microsoft operating system suitable for older computers. But users should first check before installation if their computer fulfills the system requirements and whether all hardware components are compatible with the new software. To do so, the manufacturers offer Upgrade Advisor, which is free to download from the internet. Prior to the check, users should attach all devices that will be used in the new system, for example external hard drives and scanners.

Small calculations with Microsoft Word

Berlin (dpa) - Word is not only just for writing any more, but also for calculating. A small button in the versions from 2000 to 2007 shows in the status bar in the lower left the results of the computation highlighted in the text. This function must first be added to the Word tool bar under 'Extras/Calculate' (2000/2003) or 'Calculate' (2007). In the older two versions of Word, users select in the menu bar 'Extras/Customize' and open 'All Commands' and drag the command into the status bar. For Word 2007, users can add it to the Quick Access Toolbar through 'Customize' and 'Word Options' and add it with one click of the mouse.

More than 20 million articles on Wikipedia worldwide

Berlin (dpa) - The online encyclopaedia Wikipedia now has more than 20 million articles on its sites worldwide. The largest number of articles is on the English language network, with 3.5 million entries. Second is German with 1.2 million articles.

Wikipedia expressed an interest in expanding the site in some other languages where there are fewer entries - such as Chinese (fewer than 500,000 articles), Hindi and Arabic (each fewer than 250,000). Wikipedia also plans on opening an office in India.

The online encyclopaedia was founded in 2001 and anyone can add articles, edit them or delete them. All content is free.