I loved Windows 7. But everything grows, and evolves, and Windows has grown and evolved too. However, you can keep using it if you want. 
​While Windows 7 may not continue to be supported by Microsoft, it's not going to stop working on your computer. That doesn't mean your other programs will keep working, but the operating system will continue running. I know there are people still using Windows XP. 

The same issues are with older versions of Apple's OS. Eventually there are programs, like Chrome, that just won't be updated anymore, and then, they may not work on websites anymore. By default, Chrome stops being useful when it can't keep up. In the case of Internet Explorer, it was dropped on Windows 10, for Edge.

I highly recommend upgrading your programs, including the operating system. You don't necessarily want to be an early adopter, but you probably shouldn't fall too far behind either. That brings us back to Internet Explorer. Microsoft has been saying for years not to use it anymore, as it is not secure. Recently it was discovered that IE was able to be used as a crack into a system even when it wasn't running. You shouldn't use it and you should remove it from Windows 10. There's an article for it HERE.

I'm surprised at how often I get credit for knowing the answer to a tech question, when the answer for me is usually a few clicks away.  Learn out to use google and you can be an expert too!

Millions of people use Google search every day for a variety of reasons. Students use it for school, business people use it for research, and millions more use it for entertainment. But most people may not be using Google search to its full potential.
Want to use Google search more efficiently and get the search results you want quickly? Here are 20 Google search tips and tricks to maximize your search efficiency:
1. Use the tabs. The first tip is to use the tabs in Google search. On the top of every search are a number of tabs. Usually you’ll see Web, Image, News, and More. Using these tabs, you can help define what kind of search you need to do.
If you need images, use the Image tab. If you are looking for a recent news article, use the News tab.
It’s rudimentary and most people use the tabs already. If you are not, then it’s highly recommended to get associated with them. They can cut search times dramatically if utilized properly.
2. Use quotes. When searching for something specific, try using quotes to minimize the guesswork for Google search. When you put your search parameters in quotes, it tells the search engine to search for the whole phrase.
For instance, if you search for Puppy Dog Sweaters, the engine will search for content that contains those three words in any order.
However, if you search “Puppy Dog Sweaters”, it will search for that phrase exactly as you typed it. This can help locate specific information that may be buried under other content if not sorted out correctly.

Read all the tips from Life Hack

Ready to file your taxes?   Sid Gudes may be able to help you.  Sid has also provided this helpful tax tech tip for filing your own taxes online for free.

Tax Preparation Services.  Don't let the IRS stress you out! Get your records together for us, and we'll do the rest.  Maximum refund, electronic filing.  See our web site at www.CougarSolutions.US/TaxPrep.  Contact Sid Gudes in Vallecitos, 505-595-4800.

How to File Tax Returns for Free
Prepared by Cougar, Inc.
February 2019

​The IRS provides an online free filing service, in conjunction with tax preparation
software providers who are part of the Free File Alliance, provided that you meet the
requirements for free filing. These are typically:
- Gross income must be less than $66,000 (some providers have lower limits)
- Some providers have minimums for income (e.g. must be at least $9,000)
- Some providers only support a certain age limit (e.g. 21 to 50)
- Some providers only offer certain state returns and not other states
To file a free tax return, use the following instructions. WARNING: do not just do a web
search for “free tax filing”. This could lead you to a rogue web site that will steal your
identity. Use only the IRS-approved site shown here.

1) Go to https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free.
2) Click on the [Start Free File Now] button.
3) Fully read the information there, especially the information about fees for filing
state tax returns. Choosing a vendor who states “Free for any state return if you
qualify for the federal return” will help ensure the filing is completely free.
4) Click on the chosen vendor and start the tax preparation process on their site.
If a tax preparation vendor tries to charge you for something at the last minute, you are
always free to stop that return and go to a different vendor.
Free filing is done completely online. Make sure to print and keep detailed copies of the
tax returns and supporting data for your records, and keep your W-2, 1099, and other
forms used to prepare the return. Most free filing vendors delete the online copies of the
returns after a few months or a year. To be safe, keep your copy of the return and forms
for 10 years.

Happy Filing!