computers: Desktop or Laptop?
- 03/15/11 11:56 PM
Ok, so when it is time for you to get a new computer, do you get a desktop or a laptop? Now for some, this may not even be a question. Some of you may absolutely have to have a laptop for various reasons, including space issues, traveling a lot, etc. But for some, having a desktop is still an option. I personally love sitting at my desktop typing out my blogs :) But of course being a good geek I also have my work laptop AND my MacBook so I could in fact write my blog sitting at Starbucks … (10 comments)
computers: Email Security Revisited
- 03/15/11 12:46 AM
I wouldn't normally repost a blog but I think a lot of people missed this one and it is super important so here it is again...Today's blog is about email security. This is a very important blog so read on. Most people don't give this much thought UNTIL you have had someone hack into your email account and spam your entire contact list. I admit, I have had this happen to me on one of my Gmail accounts. In fact I had a friend email me this morning asking what to do because this had happened to them last night. It … (1 comments)
computers: When is it time for a new computer?
- 03/14/11 12:32 AM
So when is it time to throw in the towel when it comes to your computer? I have had people ask me this question and quite honestly there is no set answer. The shelf life of a computer can range anywhere from 2 years to 10 years depending on what you use it for, how well you take care of it and how powerful it was when you got it. I have an acquaintance who has had his current PC since 2001. That is probably the exception to the rule. My son on the hand is lucky if he can get … (7 comments)
computers: Wi-Fi Security
- 03/10/11 10:51 PM
For the sake of this blog, I am going to assume that most of you are using a wireless network at home. Is your network secure? Are you certain that your neighbors aren’t helping themselves to your internet connection? And if they are using your connection, do you know what they are using it for? You have no idea what they may be downloading over your connection. And guess who will be liable if it’s some sort of illegal activity? You should all be using a minimum of WEP security but preferably WPA or WPA2 security. If you have no … (6 comments)
computers: A Small Investment
- 03/08/11 11:31 PM
What is the data on your computer worth? The pictures, thedocuments, heck the computer itself? Are these things worth say $20? I can hearthe collective gasp…”well of course it’s worth $20!!” Ok, so are you all usinga surge protector then? I don’t mean your basic power strip. I’m talking aboutan actual surge protector such as the one in the picture above. Now I willadmit I don’t go to the lengths of using a UPS (uninterruptible powersupply) but I do use full-fledged surge protectors made specifically forcomputers and other high end electronic equipment. Do you have any idea howsusceptible your pc … (5 comments)
computers: Free or Paid Anti-Virus?
- 03/06/11 11:23 PM
Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend! Now I know that a lot of you may be using Norton or McAfee and it may be functioning very well for you. I however see no reason to pay for an anti-virus when I know for a fact that I can get a free one that works just as well. I find Norton and McAfee overbearing and cumbersome to use. And don’t ever try to get rid of them because it will be a major chore. No…I will stick with AVG (free.avg.com) or Avira (avira.com) for my virus protection. I personally use Avira at … (7 comments)
computers: Remember to Back Up
- 03/01/11 09:36 PM
So once again I was reminded of the importance of backing up the data on my computer. As a geek I should be very aware of the consequences involved in not doing a regular back up. However, even geeks get lax sometimes. We start thinking, “Oh that will never happen to my computer”…yeah right. Even I had to lose a bunch of data once to learn my lesson on this one. In my case I have three hard drives in my desktop so backing up is a cinch. However these days getting an external hard drive is relatively inexpensive and … (7 comments)
computers: Email Security
- 03/01/11 02:12 AM
Today's blog is about email security. This is a very important blog so read on. Most people don't give this much thought UNTIL you have had someone hack into your email account and spam your entire contact list. I admit, I have had this happen to me on one of my Gmail accounts. In fact I had a friend email me this morning asking what to do because this had happened to them last night. It is an extremely common occurrence with the number of web based emails there are out there; Gmail and Yahoo being the two biggest. You may … (0 comments)
computers: Windows 7?
- 02/27/11 09:33 PM
I have a feeling that I am going to hear a lot of disagreement on this one but I want it to be known that I LOVE Windows 7! It is by far the best Windows yet. Yes folks, we have come a long way from Windows 3.1. Then there was Windows 95 followed by some flops (98, Millenium). Then along came Windows XP which many of you may still be using. Windows XP is an excellent OS and still relevant I might add. This was followed by another flop. No actually, flop is not a strong enough word. Total … (8 comments)
computers: Why I Won't Buy an HP Printer...Again
- 02/24/11 09:54 PM
I promised to write a blog about why you should never buy an HP Printer, so here it is. I suppose I should really preface this by saying if you own an HP Printer that you love and have no issues with, then that's fantastic...carry on. However, if you are like me and most of the people I have encountered who have or have had an HP Printer and experienced issues with it then read on. I have to say that overall I don't do that much printing although with my business that is about to change. So when I got … (12 comments)
So I had been struggling along with my somewhat elderly HP All In One printer for a while now. And before I go on, let me tell you that you should NEVER buy an HP printer. The purpose of this blog is not to bash HP because honestly when it comes to PC’s, HP puts out a great product. However, their handling of printers is another story and one I will leave for a future blog so watch for that. At any rate, back to my new printer, which happens to be a Brother All In One Wireless … (7 comments)
computers: Cell Phone or “Droid”?
- 02/20/11 11:54 PM
I’m a little embarrassed to admit that up until relativelyrecently I was extremely low tech when it came to my phone. I’m a computer geekand a purist. My phone was my phone and my computer was my computer and neverthe two shall meet. I resisted for a long time. I dipped my toe in the poolever so gingerly when I went to a phone with a full QWERTY keypad. But that wasas far as I was willing to go. That is until my best friend got a droid…When Isaw all the cool stuff she could do with her phone my … (7 comments)
computers: My “Mac” Experience…Part 3
- 02/19/11 10:28 PM
Welcome to the third and final post in my Mac series. So yesterday we left off with my reinstalling the Mac OS several times before learning my lesson. Once I figured out what I was doing wrong, things progressed quite well. I downloaded and installed some cool and useful apps and now have a kick butt laptop to work with. But what you really want to know is the bottom line, right? Is the Mac that much better than the PC? In my humble opinion it comes down to personal preference. I'm not going to say I am so in love … (12 comments)
computers: My “Mac” Experience…Part 2
- 02/18/11 10:53 PM
Yesterday we left off with me arriving at BestBuy. Right of the bat I noticed that the box was tiny! I mean I thought I was picking up a router or maybe a netbook but certainly not a 13" laptop. I couldn't wait to get it home and out of its protective yet miniscule packaging. I admit I was so full of anticipation I had to peek while stopped at a light. The drive home seemed to take forever! Finally I arrived and into the house I rushed clutching what promised to be the most wonderful piece of technology I own. … (9 comments)
computers: My “Mac” Experience…Part 1
- 02/17/11 09:39 PM
Let's get something straight. I'm a PC girl through and through. However being the good Geek that I am, I realize that sometimes it's good to branch out. Not to mention, I would like to be able to service Macs as well as PC's. With that in mind, I logged onto the BestBuy website and found myself a powerful and aesthetically pleasing MacBook Pro. Do I need yet another computer? Not really; but I felt compelled to find out what all the fuss is about. I have friends who are Mac people and they swear by them and wouldn't dream of … (9 comments)
;)
;)
