My Favorite Techie

Archive for the ‘Hardware’ Category

Computers today are more powerful than ever, yet we barely use a portion of the power they offer. Within a few years, that machine we barely used gets upgraded to an even faster machine. Did you know that that “old” computer still as life in it? With a little clean-up work it can be given a second life. There are several purposes that it can serve.

File Server

Would you rather have your files in several places forcing you to have to look for them every time or have everything in one central location that you can go to right away? That is the essence of a file server. With the amount of digital stuff that we have today such as music, photos, movies, etc., keeping these things on a central computer makes sense. It also makes it easier to backup your data.

All computers today have the ability to be part of a network and share files. Since most computers have hard disk drives that are very large, one can take advantage of that space by using it to store files in one location similar to a filing cabinet. Old computers are great for this as they don’t have to be the latest and greatest to store and serve files to other computers. In fact, it can save you money on your new machine by opting for a smaller hard drive. The added benefit is that one doesn’t have to go through the agony of moving all the files from the old computer to the new one.

It is very easy to convert a machine to a server. It’s just a matter of setting up shared folders on the old computer and then connecting the other computers to those shares. The same thing can be done for printers, this way not every computer has to have a printer. This setup is extremely convenient for those who live on wireless and need to be able to print.

Secondary computer

Secondary computers are very helpful as they lighten the load off the main one. If browsing the Internet, sending emails and doing basic word processing is the majority of traffic on the main computer, then that old computer can certainly continue to do those tasks leaving the new one for the more robust tasks. Internet browsers, email programs and word processors don’t require a whole lot of horse power and most computers today can handle these tasks for years beyond their proposed life.

It is a good idea, however, to clean out the old machine as to rejuvinate it. It can be done by simply performing some basic maintenance routines and uninstalling unnecessary programs or reloading the whole computer from scratch from the CDs or DVDs provided at purchase.

Vacation Home computer

A great use of an older computer, is to use it at a vacation home where it only gets occasional use for basic purposes such as Internet browsing and email. Even though the machine no longer may suffice for everyday use back at home, the odds are that it still can continue to work for you while on leisure. Most likely having the newest and greatest is not a priority while away for the weekend, therefore anything that does the job will fill the purpose.

Once the machine has seen its useful life at the secondary use, then its next move is onto the final resting place of other electronic waste. That is another discussion.

Media Server

With digital media becoming more and more a part of our lives, that old computer can be put to use as a media server for photos, videos and music. Most new versions of media management software such as Windows Media Player have the features necessary to broadcast your music, photos and movies across the home network to your TV now using a special protocol called DLNA.

The best way to use an old computer for this purpose is to configure it with a Linux based media management system. Linux traditionally has been designed to work on computers of older generations quite nicely. One used to have to be a computer geek to configure Linux, but now it’s as simple as installing Microsoft® Windows®. Of course, you can always find a geek to do this for you. The best part is that Linux is FREE.

Everyone knows what a laptop computer is, but some have yet to meet it’s close relative, the Tablet. The tablet is a deviation of the notebook computer that has the functionality of being an electronic notepad. Although they are similar in looks, tablets have characteristics that are particular to them. For example, a tablet has the following features that a traditional laptop does not have:

• Digital Pen (stylus)
• Rotating screen
• Specialized handwriting software
• Smaller screen size (standard piece of paper size)

So what can a tablet do that a regular laptop cannot due? There are many things where a tablet outdoes its close relative, the laptop. Here are some things one can accomplish easily on a tablet that would be unthinkable on a desktop or laptop.

• Have you tried to draw a diagram or sketch on a standard laptop?
• Have you entered information by typing one handed on a standard laptop?
• Have you flipped through pages of typed or handwritten notes looking for that key term?

Then you already know why a tablet is better than a laptop. But the list of advantages is even longer, so lets take a look at each specifically:

• Ability to take notes by hand, but using digital ink instead. And, if you want, the software will change your handwriting into typed text.
  
• Takes up less room and fewer hands are needed.
• The software on a tablet can help organize notes better than a traditional notebook. The tablet (using OneNote) can locate information that has been entered previously. Everything entered is considered a separate piece so it can be reordered, reorganized, color even coded.
• The tablet is a great tool for showing photo slide shows as portrait shots can be shown in true proportion when viewed in tablet mode.
• The tablet is a great choice for anyone who needs to draw anything–whether it be diagrams, shapes, formulas, a map or a family tree.
• It is a valuable tool for filling in electronic forms utilizing handwriting to text conversion utilities.

As great as the tablet is for things that handwriting is great for, there are very few known programs that work with the tablet. Most of the programs that are optimized for the tablet have been developed by Microsoft or its partners. Microsoft Office, OneNote, and Grafigo by Corel are some of the major programs available for tablet. Graphics programs that artists traditionally have used external styli for also work well with the tablet.

Outside of these special traits, the tablet functions exactly like any other laptop computer. So, if you need to be able to do things in the list above, check out the tablet for yourself as an alternative to a traditional laptop. If not, the tablet will most likely not be any more help to you.

We’ve all seen the ads on TV with the discussions between MAC and PC and what they can and cannot do. Of course, these ads are designed to bring Apple Computer business by encouraging people to buy Macs. However, the question still get asked, “Should I get a MAC or PC.”

The decision to buy a MAC or PC should NOT be based on how pretty the graphics are on the MAC. Buying a computer is not like buying a pair of shoes. Deciding between the two platforms should be based on the type of work that your are in as certain software is designed more for one than the other.

For the MAC….

The MAC from its inception was targeted at education and the arts. Early software for the MAC was more for graphic design and music and film production. Therefore, MAC has always had a leg up on this segment of the market. It was never really targeted at the business market, that’s where the PC made its break. In short, if you are in the graphics field or in some sort of music or film production, the MAC should be looked at seriously.

From a business productivity point of view, MAC has the programs to do the job, but not as plentiful as the PC. It is only since more MACs have been bought in the recent years that software developers have begun porting more software to the MAC. For example, for years the only package available to the MAC was Clarisworks, but now you are able to get a full blown version of Microsoft Office or Corel Office for the MAC. If you’re a one person business, one can easily get by with the Mac, but if you’re more than one in a large environment, there should be some consultations with someone in the computer networking field.

The MAC has always had the reputation of being more user friendly than the PC. Again, this is due to the years of development of the graphical user interface that MAC has. Over the years, programmers have worked at making things easier to find thus improving the user experience.

For the PC…

The PC was born as a very simple machine for the purpose of doing business, not graphics. For over ten years, the PC was text based. It was this factor that gave Apple the head start at the graphical user interface and the graphics sector. PCs were geared toward the office work of word processing, number crunching, and other mundane procedures. They were not fun machines. Only with the introduction of Microsoft Windows did the PC get introduced to the graphical world. So, for the PC it was a catch up game of learning the way of the graphical world and gaining respect in the graphics and production markets.

Therefore, if one is in the market for a new computer, consider whether or not your work consists of the graphics or production dependency. If you are more involved in the business world of words, numbers and other basic functions, then the PC is more suited for you. The PC, because it grew up in the business environment, was designed to work in networked environments from the beginning. The most advanced networks are PC based because of the tools that were written to streamline their operation. Only in the last few years has the MAC gotten introduced into corporate networks with the redesign of the MAC operating system.

The PC is known for one thing well in the graphical world and that is gaming. There are thousands of games available for the PC in comparison to the MAC. If you are a serious gamer, and looking for a computer to play games on, then the PC is your candidate. Just about every manufacturer has a machine designed for the gamer in mind as these machines have better graphics and sound for the true gaming experience.

The reputation of the PC being less friendly to use incomparison to the MAC is due to the years it existed in a text based world. With the development of Windows 95, the user friendliness started to improve. The newest version of Windows, Vista is much more user friendly visually than ever before. Will it ever equal the MAC, who knows. That will always remain a topic of conversation between the two worlds.

Desktops and laptops now can do the same things. Power and functionality are no longer issues. Therefore, deciding whether to buy a laptop or desktop comes down to personal decisions of work and lifestyles. To help make that decision easier, below is a list of pros and cons for desktop and laptop along with questions that you can ask yourself to assist in making your decision.

Desktop

Pros

• Has full size keyboard
• Has standard mouse
• Can have any size monitor you want
• Can be configured with multiple hard disks
• Hard disks usually have faster access
• The ability to customize internal components (Video, sound, network, etc.)
• Can be directly connected to a network via Ethernet cable

Cons

• Not portable
• Needs to be located by power source
• Significant amount of space needed

Laptop

Pros

• Portable
• Variety of screen sizes available
• Fits just about anywhere
• Work wirelessly (if so equipped)

Cons

• Screen size*
• Condensed keyboard*
• Pointing device (touchpad or accupoint) not comfortable to use routinely*
• Most cannot be used outdoors due to glare (some have indoor/outdoor screens)
• Cannot have multiple hard discs (non-USB)

* Issues can be overcome through the purchase and use of a dock with external mouse, keyboard and monitor.

The following questions will help make your decision of what to purchase easer.

• Do I need the ability to be portable?
• Is screen size an issue?
• What will I be using the computer for? (Word processing, email, Internet, photo editing, etc.)
• Is space an issue?
• Will I be watching movies? Avid movie watchers may want a wider screen with improved sound.
• How much am I willing to spend? Laptops and desktops now run the gamut from a few hundred dollars into the thousands.

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.