My Favorite Techie

Archive for the ‘General Computing’ Category

We’re all guilty of it. We work long hours at writing a paper, editing photos, doing bookkeeping and then don’t backup our computer. It is such a simple process to do, but we all say later and then at the worst moment something happens to the computer and those files that we created or worked on are all gone.

Today, making backups of our work has been made so easy. The choices of backup are many and the price for storage is low. Our choices include, CD, DVD, flash drive, external hard drive, online backup, and the list goes on. There should be no excuse for not having a backup routine for safe guarding your important files.

Most external drives now offer an included software for automating the backup process which leaves you free from having to do anything. There are other software packages out there for backup from free to thousands of dollars. They all do the job fairly well the difference is what is being backed up.

Today we have too much precious data to loose such as pictures, videos, music, documents and the list goes on. The importance of backing up these priceless assets is great and doing it routinely is the key.

Every where we look now, we see references to cloud computing. What is cloud computing? I’ve heard this question from colleagues and others my parents age. Well, I’d like to explain this concept simply. Back when computers first came into the picture in the 1950s and 1960s, everything done was saved to a “mainframe” computer located in some backroom somewhere. We simply entered information using “terminals” rather than computers.

Later on, personal computers came around and everything moved to local machine. If we wanted to share something we put it on a disk of some sort and brought it to someone. That was the first “network” or as geeks would call it the “sneakernet.” In the early 90′s networks came on scene. Now we were able to save documents on a server located in a room that everyone had access to.

In the last decade, the Internet has taken off allow for “wide area networks” which enable people to access applications and files over long distances. That in essence is the basis for cloud computing. We are simply saving files to servers located on the Internet which we are able to access from anywhere as long as we have our favorite web browser fired up. There are even applications which run entirely on the cloud eliminating the need for local software. Google Docs is one such application suite.

Amazon has also entered into the cloud computing arena. Amazon will allow you to host files and entire virtual computers on their servers allowing complete mobility. The best part is that you only pay for the time the server is being used similar to how electricity is paid for.

Cloud computing has brought us full circle from mainframe computing with terminals to saving to computers located on the Internet using our fancy computing devices as terminals to do work and saving it on some network within the worldwide network.

Microsoft has announced that it will be bringing out a new operating system to surpass Windows Vista, Windows 7. Once version 7 comes out, support for Windows XP and the ability to downgrade will cease. Therefore, the question that comes up is whether or not to upgrade to Vista or stay at XP until the new version comes out.

My feeling is in the middle. If you’re on XP stay there until the new version comes out as it is supposed to be more stabile that Vista currently is and much faster. Blogs relating to Windows 7 have been saying that 7 is as stabile in testing and development as XP is now. Hopefully that’s true.

Now if you’re in the market for a new computer, I would say consider going the Vista route which will get you prepared for Windows 7 as the graphical interface will be the same as Vista. Therefore, if you get vista now, all programs for Vista will run under Windows 7 and when the product is finally released, the learning curve will have been conquered.

One of the things that I know will be new for Windows 7 is the ability to build it almost Al a Carte. Each different shelf version will essentially be the same except that certain features will be disabled. Now, if there is a feature that one wishes, it can be added at a small nominal fee rather than having to upgrade to a higher version with features that are unneeded.

I wish that I could say more, but I am also just learning Vista and getting used to it. Therefore, I will be in the same boat when Windows 7 finally comes out. Hopefully it will be a smooth upgrade.

Author: Mark Tabesh

Remote computer repair is still a new idea to many; however it’s been available to you for years now. Rather than an expensive on-site visit, technicians connect securely to your computer using an advanced screen sharing program. This in turn, allows you to have your computer fixed right away, and at a lower cost due to the lower amount of overhead costs to the companies. But is it really safe?

The short answer is yes. Let me explain why… First, you remain with your computer at all times. When you drop your computer off at the store, you will be asked to return in a week or whenever they finish it. During this time, who knows if anyone is reading or copying your files? Can you be sure they haven’t taken or switched some piece of hardware? Will they even do anything to it before recommending you purchase their new model on isle 9? When having your computer repaired remotely, you’ll be able to watch the repair taking place as it is happening. Your tech should be available for questions through a chat window or the phone if you need him, however no one will know if you are watching or not thus ensuring the techs integrity. Ask your local super store geek if you can sit and watch them fix the computer and see what they say.

With on-site repair, not only do you have to pay very high fees, but you have to wait for the tech to fit you into the schedule when you need your computer working now! Then you must allow a stranger into your home. I’m reminded of a recent news story regarding a national on-site support chain and a camera phone left in a bathroom. If you want to watch what the on-site tech is doing you’ll have to literally watch from over his shoulder because he or she will be sitting in your seat.

With remote computer repair, you must pay with a credit card. Some people still have reservations on using credit cards online. The fact is that credit card companies want you to use their card online for everything. Ask your card company if you’ll be responsible for any fraud or stolen activity. You’ll likely be happy with their response. Plus if you think you are getting ripped off by the online computer repair service, you can use your credit card company to dispute the charge. Note: that a bank debit cards with a Visa or MasterCard usually don’t offer dispute services.

Because this new option for residential computer repair is so popular, a lot of new companies are sprouting up constantly. There are a few important things to look for in a remote computer repair service. Are they in the same country as you? This important because if laws are different, you’ll have a tough time disputing a problem with them should you come to have one. Do they have a No Fix, No Fee guarantee? Many per minute or hour services charge you for their time and do not guarantee to fix anything. What does that say about their trust and training of their own techs? Finally, be cautious of an insanely low price. In my experience, low pricing always means inexperience or a scam. You can expect to get a better deal than any in-shop or on-site service however.

So the next time you have a computer problem, give the remote approach a try. If you find a no fix, no fee guarantee companies then you truly have nothing to lose and such a convenience to gain.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/operating-systems-articles/remote-computer-repair-is-it-safe-584745.html

About the Author:

This article was written by the folks at RemoteComputerRepair.org. Visit them at http://www.remotecomputerrepair.org or by calling 1-888-392-2785.

One thing is common now between home life and business is that both make use of computing in one way or another. In some cases, personal and business are combined on the same computer. Unfortunately, many fail to realize that there are differences between the two fields. The two even though can mix, should be regarded separately.

Home Computing

Home computing is exactly what it is, personal. Personal computing usually consists of anything that is done for personal pleasure, therefore there is no real money behind it. There may be intrinsic value behind what is on your personal computer, but it is not related to the existence of something else namely another business. Although the same philosophies should be followed with regards to safeguarding files, there is less at stake.

A home computer usually is forced into having many hats. It’s used for keeping track of personal finances, research, some creative work, sorting photos, games, and other things. It gets challenged in many ways. Many people most likely use it as well making it hard to manage what’s going on it.

If many people are going to be using a particular machine, a different computer should be used for the important matters. In other words, make sure that your finance information and anything else that is vital to the stability of your household is on a computer that cannot accessed by children. An older computer can be delegated to children’s games and such. The computer with all the information on it should also be backed up routinely and copies put somewhere outside the home, such as a safe deposit box at the bank, in case the home ever gets destroyed.

Business Computing

Business computing like everything else that is considered business should be separated from personal computing. Businesses use different programs that personal computing, such as more detailed finance programs, contact managers, and other field specific software.

In the business sense, the piece that is the most critical is the data that is created. Those files which relate to a business transaction need to be kept separate and securely minded. The most basic measure which should be done with all business data is backup. You never know when something from way back when will be needed. Not backing up your business is asking for problems. Anytime something is created or changed should be backed up that day and removed to an off-site location.

If both worlds have to be combined, I recommend having two data folders setup somewhere somehow. This way personal data can be stored in one folder and business related data in the other. One easy solution for this is an external hard drive. These are relatively inexpensive nowadays and are easily setup. They can even be used for backup and then removed to another location.