Distrusted SSL certificates not reflected in Chrome browser or Developer Console

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There has been a long standing issue between Google / Chrome (and now also Mozilla / Firefox) and Symantec regarding the SSL certificates that Symantec have issued in the past via their various subsidiaries (eg. Thawte, RapidSSL). In a nutshell, as of v66 of Chrome, certain SSL certificates will become distrusted (those issued prior to June 2016), and the browser will tell you accordingly. Similar will occur with Firefox v60 (or so I believe). Other certificates will get similar treatment later in 2018.

Read more Distrusted SSL certificates not reflected in Chrome browser or Developer Console

A beginner guide to Yoast SEO

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Mastering SEO can be a time-consuming thing. Whilst there are a lot of options available and many ways you can increase your Google search rankings, sometimes you need to simply get started and are looking for some basics, some general tips and explanation of the various options seen when editing your page or blog. Well, here is a beginners guide to Yoast SEO.  Read more A beginner guide to Yoast SEO

Why I use an ad-blocker extension (and will continue to do so)

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With the release of the iPhone 6 and 6S, and perhaps more pertinently the release of iOS 9, there has been a lot of talk about the ability for mobile Safari to use ad-blocking technology and effectively do away with what many perceive as the necessity to use an ad-blocker extension in their browser.

Although ad-blocking has been going on for years, when the biggest company in the world decides to let its core users join the ad-blocking fraternity by downloading an app on iPhones and iPads, advertisers, publishers and marketers alike tend to whinge a lot sit up and take notice. Mobile browsing is on the increase, and just as advertising has started making itself more prevalent on mobile devices, Apple has decided enough is enough.

Read more Why I use an ad-blocker extension (and will continue to do so)

Mouse scroll wheel not working in File Explorer in Windows 10 resolved

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Found a rather annoying issue after upgrading to Windows 10 on my PC in my work office: Basically I found the mouse scroll wheel not working in File Explorer (the Windows 10 replacement to Windows Explorer) using a Microsoft Basic Optical Mouse. Worked fine in other applications, browsers, etc. Frustrating much!

The mouse is connected to a Lenevo desktop machine that is now a few years old. I’ve now finally gotten around to fixing the problem. Here’s how.

Read more Mouse scroll wheel not working in File Explorer in Windows 10 resolved

Windows 10 and a new VPN connection – unable to open Networking properties on IPv4 solved

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Another mystery solved since upgrading to Windows 10, and needing to add in a new VPN connection. Normally when you add in a VPN connection and connect to it, your system wants to use the default gateway of the VPN connection for IPv4 connections (eg. browsing the web).

Because I tend to have a number of VPN connections, and I’d rather be using my own bandwidth than whatever the VPN is providing, I turn the “Use default gateway on remote network” off. But for some reason under Windows 10, I’m unable to get to the properties of the IPv4 connection under the Networking tab. But now I have a work around!

Read more Windows 10 and a new VPN connection – unable to open Networking properties on IPv4 solved

Dreamweaver CS6 not working in Windows 10 solved

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Several of my machines have now been upgraded to Windows 10 and I think on each one of them I have had some sort of issue to resolve.

My “main” PC ended up having more serious hardware issues, in that my primary hard drive died and was replaced with a fresh install of Windows 8.1. As soon as I got the machine back home I immediately upgraded it to Windows 10.

Read more Dreamweaver CS6 not working in Windows 10 solved

Settings screen closing immediately after opening on Windows 10 resolved

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Across 3 different PCs I upgraded to Windows 10 recently I had 3 different issues. The biggest issue on the laptop that was upgraded was having the new Settings screen close immediately after opening. It would flash up for a moment, then close.

It would affect other similar screens (that kind of look the same, with that new UI) and was particularly annoying me as I wanted to set up Default Apps, connect to VPN, and do some other things that I could only access via the Settings page. Rebooting made no difference. But finally I found a fix!

Read more Settings screen closing immediately after opening on Windows 10 resolved

Cannot send email using Outlook on Windows 10 resolved

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I took the somewhat gentle leap from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 across two PCs and a laptop, and the one major issue I faced with one PC only was that I could no longer send any emails that had Outlook 2010 installed. It would give me an error code 0x800CCC13, followed by ‘Task ’email address alias@domain.com- Sending’ Cannot connect to the network. Verify your network connection or modem.’

Replying to an email was fine. Any new email however would just get stuck in the Outgoing folder. The laptop, also with Outlook 2010, was fine.

Read more Cannot send email using Outlook on Windows 10 resolved

Making your WordPress site mobile friendly for Google

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As you may know, as of April 21 2015 Google will rank mobile-friendly websites higher than those that are not mobile-friendly. If you’re not sure whether you pass the mobile-friendly test, Google provides a link where you can simply enter your site URL, and see some general results. If not mobile-friendly, Google offers some advice but often these pieces of advice can’t be directly applied to a WordPress site, although it does go some way to explain general design principals of making a WordPress site more mobile-friendly.

Read more Making your WordPress site mobile friendly for Google

Options to replace nRelate related articles plugin

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Sadly, the nRelate WordPress plugin, a simple yet effective related articles plugin, will soon cease to be. Support for this plugin will come to an end on 31st December 2014.

With nRelate often appearing in the list of best related article plugins, this has forced many people to search for a new product, perhaps something just as simple or something with a few more options. Read more Options to replace nRelate related articles plugin