Home Computer Talk

Fear not XP lovers-your beloved OS isn’t being forgotten. Microsoft has announced that SP3 for XP will be released in early 2008. A beta version was quietly distributed to about 15,000 beta testers last week. Microsoft would like everyone to be using Vista, but it’s not happening. As a result they’ve extended support for XP and pushed back their plans to end retail and OEM sales. They aren’t saying much about this latest update, presumably because they want the focus to be on Vista. Sources say the pack will include the more than 1,000 fixes and patches issued in the last three years along with at least 4 new features. Initial reports from testers are saying the pack actually increases the speed of XP by around 10%.

Okay, I want to hear from you. XP or Vista? Which do you prefer? I use Vista and have had no problems with it at all. Maybe I’m one of the lucky ones? Then again I ran Windows ME for 5 years with no problems either, so maybe I am an exception!! I know a big complaint is the amount of space Vista takes up (several gigs) but with today’s ever growing hard drives, that really shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Maybe it’s the memory requirements? If you’re upgrading an older system, this could be a big problem, as Vista needs at least 1 gig of RAM-2 is better. So talk to me and let me know which OS you prefer and why!

microsoft, windows xp, vista, computers, service pack 3, windows update

If you’re like most folks, you hate commercials, and when they come on you either flip the channel or use the time to take a bathroom or snack break. One of the reasons TV show DVDs have become so popular is their lack of commercials. Many sets do come with a trailer advertising upcoming releases, but it’s easily skipped. Well, IBM is hoping to change that. They have filed a patent for a method of making DVDs that lets the manufacturer or studio-not the viewer-decide if the view will see ads or even if the presentation on the DVD (a television show, movie, concert, etc) would be seen free of commercial interruption. A certificate on the DVD would be checked automatically when the disk is inserted into a player.

That’s right folks. This little invention would periodically interrupt the DVD you’re watching to play commercials, just like on TV. I expect that if this type of DVD ever makes it to market, there will be quite a backlash. It’s not surprising that this type of technology is being developed though. DVRs, DVD players, and DVDs themselves have made a sharp dent in ad revenue Anyone who has a DVR will tell you they love the ability to skip past commercials, and any TV fan will tell you the best part of TV show DVDs, present and classic, is their lack of ads and lack of editing to insert them. It’s becoming a real problem for advertisers and now they are beginning to fight back.

Would I buy a show on one of these new commercial cluttered DVDs? I really don’t know. It it was a show I loved and couldn’t get in any other format, probably. Otherwise, probably not. We’re inundated with enough ads everyday as it is. Is it really too much to ask to watch a DVD in ad free piece? Maybe so.

dvds, tv on dvd, dvd players, dvd drives, dvrs, ibm

Cyber Monday is here! If you’re like most folks and have shopped online before, you were probably greeted with an inbox full of offers from various retails. Here are just a few that found their way to mine:

Timberland Co. is offering $25 off any purchase and free shipping.
Ebags is offering a 20% rebate on all purchases made via Paypal.
Sharper Image is offering up to 70% selected items.
Lenox is offering $10 off purchases of 75% or more.
Sears is offering several online specials including 10% all appliances and 10% cash back on all Home Theater purchases.
Pfaltzgraff is offiering free shipping.
Paypal is offering 20% cash back for purchases from many merchants including Barnes&Noble, Dell, HP, Toys R Us, Sharper Inage, Ralph Lauren, and more.
Staples is offering several specials including LCD monitors for $139, a portable GPS system for $179, and a 400GB portable HD from $89.

As always, when contemplating an online deal, be sure to read the product description and all fine print carefully, and only shop online at reputable retailers. If you get an email promising an amazing deal but you’ve never heard of the company, be wary. It’s smart to shop at online retailers that have a brick and motar store as well-many of them accept returns of merchandise purchases online, which is very convenient. Another thing to watch out for is shipping costs. Many times the shipping charge cancels out the savings. For example I found a great deal on some kitchen floor mats at Kmart.com. They were only $7.95 each! I was thrilled until I got to the checkout and discovered the cheapest shipping was $12! No thanks. Paying more for shipping than the item itself cost is insane!

Don’t worry if you miss out on any of today’s specials, as there will be many more to come between now and December 25th!

cyber monday, online shopping, computers, gadgets, christmas gift ideas, electronics

Hi everyone,
I am embarrassed that it’s been so long since my last post. Just as I got the migraines under control a nasty cold showed up. I was sick right through Thanksgiving. Yuck! I promise you all this time I’m back for good. I’m finally feeling like myself again and raring to go, so please forgive my recent absences-you have my word that the regular daily posts will now return!

Did you recently get a mysterious pop up ad urging you to invest in some penny stocks? If so I have bad news. You’ve got the Storm worm. Over 250,000 people received the ad, and it’s likely many of them never even knew they were infected. The worm turned the computers it infected into zombies-that is, it silently took control of the system. Groups of zombie computers are called botnets and they can inflict everything from floods of spam to attacks on websites called Denial of Service Attacks without the computers owner ever knowing. Unfortunately getting rid of the worm is a job itself as it’s cleverly designed to mutate to avoid detection. Check out this site for help if you think you’ve got this worm. http://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/small_dam.shtml

If you don’t, count your blessings-then update your anti-virus and internet security software and remember to never ever open an attachment ending in .exe or .pif, and to never open an attachment of any kind from someone you don’t know! Be careful about websites you visit as well. Don’t blindly click on links in emails. Let your mouse pointer hover over them for a moment first and look at bar at the bottom of the screen, where the REAL addresss will be revealed. Don’t be surprised if Paypal.com turns out to really be “scammersite.this is a scam.com/paypal”. Spammers and scammers are getting increasingly good at producing fake webpages that look just like the real thing, but they still can’t foil the simple mouse over the link trick!

spam, spammers, storm worm, pop up ads, computer virus, phishing

Do you back up your data regularly? If you do, keep up the good work! If not, you really should be. Computers are not perfect. Glitches and crashes happen. So do hardware failures, power outages, lightning strikes, spilled drinks (this is especially deadly to laptops), viruses, and a host of other not so nice things that can wipe out your data. To protect yourself, get in the habit of backing up once a week. If you use Vista, there is a automatic back up feature included that makes it super easy. For other operating systems it’s a little more work, but still easy. Just open Windows Explorer and drag and drop what you want to back up to the backup media of your choice. This can be a CD, DVD, USB flash drive or external hard drive. Forget about floppy disks, even if you are one of the few folks who still has a floppy drive. Floppy disks go bad really fast and hold so little that you’d need a handful or more to hold all your data. I use a USB flash drive. It’s a smart idea to make at least two copies so you can store one someplace other than your home, such as a safe deposit box or a friends place. What should you back up? While the answer partially depends on what you find important and what you can live without, here’s a basic list to get you started:

Documents
Photos
Digital Music Files
Address Book/Contact List from your email program
Buddy List from your IM program
Financial Records
Favorites Folder for IE

Don’t worry about backing up your programs as they can almost always be restored via their installation disks. Now get going and back up your data! You’ll be glad you did!

computers, Vista, windows, usb flash drive, backing up data

Hi everyone,

I want to apologize for the lack of posts the last few days. I’ve been dealing with a massive migrane, but the pain is finally going away, so I will be back posting regularly starting tomorrow. Thanks for your patience!

Thinking of replacing your desktop with a laptop? PCWorld has selected its top 10 desktop replacement laptops:

1.Apple MacBook Pro
2. HP Pavilion HDX
3.Acer Aspire 5920G
4.HP Pavilion dv9500t
5. Dell Inspiron 1720
6. HP Compaq 8710p
7. Lenovo ThinkPad T61p
8. Toshiba Satellite X205-S9359
9.Eurocom D900C Phantom-X
10. Gateway NX860XL

Now these units are stylish and offer power and portability, but at a steep cost-they run from $1500 to almost $5000! I don’t know anyone willing to pay $5K for a computer these days, and an equally powerful desktop system can be had for much less, but if you like having the option of portability, a desktop replacement laptop may be the right move for you. Of course while a desktop replacement laptop may be portable, it doesn’t mean it’ll be easy to do so. The units listed above weight anywhere from 6.5lbs to over 15. You can thank the big screens (15’-17’ and above) for that! Still, it’s nice to be able to grab your computer and curl up in your favorite easy chair or take it outside and enjoy nice weather. If you set up a home network, it’s even nicer! One caution, like all laptops, these units are not actually designed to be used on one’s lap unless you like toasted thighs. In fact, the processors that make them so powerful also make them run quite hot, so invest in a cooling pad and/or always make sure to operate them on a hard surface. For all the specs on the models listed above, check out PC World’s list!

computers, pc world, desktop replacements, laptops, macbook, thinkpad, pavilion, compaq

If you’re like most people, your computer is an enjoyable and necessary part of your life. Even if you’re one of the increasingly shrinking few who have no interest in emailing, gaming, or web surfing, you probably still use a computer from time to time. These days, most people work on or with computers in some degree or other. Unfortunately, if you do use a computer frequently you’re probably quite familiar with the pain it can bring. Using a computer puts strain on the neck, spine, wrists, shoulders and even the eyes. In fact the computer age has brought with it a rise in RSI’s, or repetitive stress injuries. One of the most common is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a very painful disorder of the wrists that in severe cases requires surgery. Here are some ways to make your time at the computer more enjoyable and less painful.

Let’s start with what you’re sitting in. Posture is extremely important when using your computer. You should get a sturdy office chair with good lumbar support. Make sure it allows you to work at your computer comfortably without having to hunch forward.
Sit as straight as you can and keep your hands straight on the keyboard. Don’t rest your arms or elbows on your desk as this can cause discomfort and even numbness from the pressure it puts on the nerves and tendons in your arm. Keep your feet flat on the floor if you can. If you are too short, use a foot rest. This will help you avoid back pain.

To avoid eyestrain, your monitor should be centered and 18 inches away. When we’re typing or reading the screen for long periods, we tend to blink less. This leads to strained and dry, itchy eyes, blurred vision, and headaches To avoid this be sure to blink often and make a point of giving your eyes a break every so often by looking away from the screen and letting them focus on something else for a few minutes.

Finally, get up and move around regularly! It’s important not to stay in one position too long. Moving and stretching every 20 minutes or so will help you avoid the aches and pains of computer work.

computers, Repetitive Stress Injuries, ergonomics, keyboards, computer mouse, chairs

Tis the season for retailers to offer incredible deals on computers and electronics! For example, this past weekend Wal-Mart offered a 14-inch Acer laptop with 1 gig of RAM for $348 and a Sanyo 50 inch plasma HDTV for $998. Best Buy offered a Toshiba HD-DVD player for under $100. These deals are offered on a specific day or two and supplies are usually limited. These deals are part of a new strategy by Wal-Mart and other retailers. Rather than wait for Black Friday, retailers are beginning to offer big deals and deep price cuts now.

Wal-Mart is also offering a $200 Unix based PC from Everex called the gPC. The machine has a 1.5 Ghz VIA C7 CPU, 512MB of RAM and an 80GB hard drive. While those specs put the system on the low end of the performance spectrum, the makers say it’s actually more responsive than Vista. We’ll have to wait for more reviews before it’s known how true that claim is.

To keep up on all the deals Wal-Mart will be offering, check out their “secret” website at
http://holiday.ri-walmart.com. They even offer email and text alerts! Once again though, be aware that these are very limited offers and each store’s inventory may be even more limited. Be sure and read each ad very carefully, especially if a deal seems too good to be true. For example, it’s been rumored that the reason some of these items are being offered at rock bottom prices is because they will soon be replaced with upgraded models by the manufacturers. So do your homework before snapping up a great deal!

computers, holiday shopping, holiday deals on electronics, HDTV, DVD, Linux, Laptops

Tomorrow morning at 2am, we gain an hour, thanks to Congress’s decision to push Daylight Savings Time from October to November. On the plus side, we gain an hour of sleep, but on the other hand, some computers and gadgets may have a hard time with the time change. If you’re running Vista or Windows XP with Service Pack 2, you shouldn’t run into any problems. Earlier OS’s may require manual tweaking (which if you have one, you probably already know since they most likely switched to DST automatically on the old date in October). If you have any devices running Windows Mobile, click here for a patch. Speaking of PDA’s, if you have a Treo 700p, 680, 650, 600, 300, or 270, or a Zire or Tungsten, you’ll also need a patch, available here from Palm.

Cellphones, DVRs, and TiVo devices should handle the time change with no problems. However, any computerized device manufactured before 2005 is likely to have problems handling the time change. Check the website for your device’s manufacturer for patches and step by step fixes if you have any problems.

Don’t worry too much however. So far the change in DST has been relatively problem free and most issues are easily fixed. There have been a few minor glitches though. For example, in Baltimore, some drivers were cheated out of an hour of parking and received violations after the parking meters switched to DST back in October. In Pittsburgh, a major traffic jam hit during rush hour when traffic lights started blinking yellow an hour too early!

computers, daylight savings time, Windows XP, Vista, Palm

Spammers never seem to quit do they? They’ve launched a brand new wave of PDF spam. You may remember getting hit with a flurry of spam emails earlier this summer, all with PDF attachments. Those spammed a variety of penny stocks and were irritating, but harmless. Not so this new attack. This time the attachments harbor malware. Opening them exploits a vulnerability in Adobe Reader that allows the malware to disable Windows Firewall, connect to a server overseas, and download a Trojan horse. Experts think this may be another version of the Storm worm that ran rampant across the Internet earlier this year. The goal seems to be to create a botnet, which is a network of infected computers that spammers and hackers are able to control. It’s estimated that at least 1 million computers are already in an existing botnet created by the earlier Storm worm. It’s not yet known who exactly is behind the Storm worm or what the botnet will be used for, but the implications are frightening. Botnets can be used to send tens of thousands of spam messages, launch denial of service attacks on websites, and more. Moral of the story? If you get an email with a PDF attachment from someone you don’t know, delete it! The current subject lines promise free credit reports or claim to provide banking information. Don’t fall for it! Make sure your anti-virus software is updated and if your ISP offers spam filtering, and most do-use it. A spammer’s biggest enemy is an educated computer user!

spam, pdf spam, malware, computers, adobe