Another post from Ubuntu

I have been so busy lately, that I haven't had much of a chance to play around with my Ubuntu Linux (alternative to Windows) machine. Last night, I updated to the latest version of Ubuntu Linux 7.04 for free. Compare that to the minimum of $179 you would pay for the basic version of Vista. I was motivated to do the update not only because I promised I would learn more about Linux, but also because Dell released a story...

Future Windows Prediction

By now it is no secret that I have a unique super power. I can see the future of technology. Too many cell phone radio waves to my brain have caused me to have premonitions about the future of technology. Two days ago, I was carried away in vision and I saw the future of Microsoft. Microsoft knows they shot themselves in the foot with Vista. They knew before it was released that they would have to create a demand for it since...

Is Vista driving computer prices down again?

After the release of Vista we saw prices for desktops and laptops rise nearly 15% for equivalent Windows XP computers. Since Vista's release, the sales numbers for computers and Vista itself have been dismal and retailers are not happy. I opened up my local paper today at breakfast and found that Office Depot had three decent laptops on sale for under $900 all with 1 GB of RAM. One was $699. We haven't seen those kind...

Finding Internet Access on the Road – WiFi F...

I recently returned from visiting my Dad in New Mexico. He lives in a small town that doesn't have tons of broadband connections. I tried firing up my wireless laptop at his house, but no luck…no neighbors to poach off of for a few minutes. My Treo 650 was non-functional because my carrier didn't service the town. So where do you turn to when you are striking out with technology? The yellow pages and the...

Proper care and feeding of batteries

I bought a new digital camera the day after Thanksgiving. Following Adam's First Law: Gadgets Yield More Gadgets, I have ordered a new vertical shooting grip and several batteries. When the batteries arrived, I followed Adams 379th Law: Always Read the Instructions. I am thinking seriously about moving the 379th law up to at least 134 because I discovered some interesting information about rechargeable Lithium-Ion...

Gadgets yield more gadgets

I have helped several people buy new computers lately. I don't sell computers or any other hardware so I am more of a personal shopper than a salesman when it comes to guiding people through their purchase. I think it's funny how gadgets always seem to yield more gadgets. Here is a short flowchart of how this process works. 1. A client calls and says that they need a new computer. They ask my advice on what they...

I am a man, I have needs

This article is a repeat from the newsletter last week, but I thought I would post it all by itself for two reasons. First, I have had a lot of comments on it this week. Second, all these tech names will create more yahoo search terms and we will make a few cents from it. Here it goes… I bought a new computer last week. The new system is dual core, 1 GB of RAM, 200 GB hard drive and DVD burner and card reader. I...

Laptop Touchpad Drivers

Synaptics makes the touchpads for many laptops. Chuck called in today and needed a driver for his Windows 2000 machine. Click here to get drivers for all Windows versions.

Lots of new computers

The past couple of weeks I have helped many computer users setup new systems they had purchased. I have seen everything from laptops to some pretty pricey desktops. I think the low prices are fueling the new purchases. I think the prices will remain low through the end of the year and into early next year. LCD flat panel monitors are getting ridiculously cheap, memory appears to be plentiful and inexpensive and the upcoming...

Traveling with wireless Internet

If you travel with a laptop computer and like to use wireless Internet at hotesl, coffee shops and libraries, it helps to know a simple troubleshooting technique or two for finicky wireless connections. Make sure your wireless access is enabled. Many laptops have a button or switch that shuts the wireless network off.  Restart your computer. Many times, restarting the computer will allow the connection to happen. If still...

Future proofing your new PC

We have talked at length about the upcoming Windows Vista on our show and eluded to it here on the site. Microsoft says that it will come out in the first quarter of 2007 which leaves us about six months give or take. Adam and I had our first look at Vista during this year's Consumer Electronic Show (CES). We weren't impressed. Since then, I have read many Vista articles, reviews, blogs and even downloaded the beta...

A good mechanic always has parts left over

It is time that I come clean and confess that I steal screws. I don’t intend to steal them, but while I am working on a computer, I tend to put the screws in my pockets so that I don’t lose them. When I get home at the end of the day, I always find a computer screw or two. To my defense, I always put the computer completely back together. I place the blame on the computer manufacturer. Today’s computers have...

Interesting Web Finds

After 30+ years of reading magazines, I finally came up with a plan that helps me organize and follow up with interesting facts and tips. I now keep a reporter’s notebook with me when I read and then I jot down the tip or web site and then I can share or recylce the magazine. Today, I was going through my recent findings and found some great sites that you might want to check out as well. Spongecell - an online,...

Laptops are perfectly adequate computers

One of my customers today just purchased a laptop to compliment her desktop computer. She wasn’t thrilled about the idea of having two computers, but didn’t realize that her new laptop was every bit as capable as her older desktop computer. She isn’t alone. Many computer users think size equals power. When they look at a svelte laptop and compare it to a large black or beige box, they think it must be...

Computer guys are kind of like Zorro

Before I begin, I want to make it clear that I am not complaining in this post at all. I am just explaining the events of the day. I began my day with a blank schedule. My mother in law was scheduled to arrive to spend a couple of weeks with us so I had blocked today so that I could help my family get ready. My phone rang at 7am this morning. It was a dentist’s office. They had accidentally done something that had...